Page 78 of Sneak Attack

“Maybe with dinner, thanks Mama B.”

“Our home is yours, just like always.”

Ma escorted Marley into the kitchen leaving Eden and me alone in the entryway.

“Davis?” she asked, and ran her finger through her hair, head tilted to the side.

“Davis Hall, one of our rookie running backs. He comes and has dinner with me sometimes.”

“Oh.” Worry drew a line between her brows. I wanted to smooth away with a kiss or something more delightful.

“And Jasper?”

“He’s here. Probably sitting on Hall’s lap or running with Bongo outside. Nervous?”

She gave me a shaky grin. “Terrified.”

“Don’t be.” I took her hand in mine and guided her closer, aware of her nerves, but for now, there was privacy. “Come here. Everything will be fine.”

“Selma—”

“Isn’t here and isn’t a problem today.” I put pressure on her hand, still pulling her until I could curl both of our hands to my lower back. “It’s a family dinner. Enjoy yourself, okay?”

“I’m trying.”

“I know.” She was. I was worried that first day after Selma’s incident when she didn’t text me that she was running, even away from me in her mind if she wasn’t halfway back to Florida, but she’d made an effort since, and I knew it was difficult for her.

“You’re safe here, though,” I whispered, and brushed my lips over her cheek. “No enemies in this house, got it.”

“Right,” she huffed but pressed closer to me, turning her head just enough my lips found the corner of her mouth and movement caught my attention from the hall.

“Well, hello.” Davis grinned. “Who do we have here?”

CHAPTER25

EDEN

Davis Hall was nothing like I’d expected under the padded uniform and helmet. For some reason, I expected all football players to be this burly, muscular, scowling, and broad-shouldered kind of guy like Cole.

Davis was the exact opposite with a face that probably had him getting ID’d constantly, or even having his true ID called a fake, a smile that made me think of little children who got caught sneaking cookies after bedtime, and while he was clearly muscular, his frame was leaner than I anticipated.

“Hi,” I said, and he wasted no time hurrying down the hall toward me and pulling me into a hug that lifted me off my feet.

“Bruh,” Cole rumbled.

“Chill. I’m making a new best friend.”

I laughed, unable to stop myself and was quickly set back on my feet and yanked to Cole’s side. “I’m Davis. Not to meet you…”

“Eden.” I held out a hand and he laughed, slapping it out of the way.

“Handshakes are for acquaintances. You and I are going to be best friends.”

“We are?”

“You are?”

I grinned up at Cole who was wearing that scowl I’d assumed all football players wore on the field.

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