Page 62 of Play Dirty

“You don’t have to sound so surprised.” I grab my club and take a frustrated swing.

The four of us stare as the ball sails through the air, bounces on the ground a few times, and then ever-so-gently rolls right into the hole.

“Oh fuck yeah!” I lift my arms over my head. “Hole in one, baby!”

“Damn, bro, this chick must be special!” Connor says, laughing.

“Is it Stevie?” Gabe asks quietly as we get back on the golf cart.

I hesitate.

Cat’s out of the bag now, but I can back pedal just a little.

“We’ve only gone out a few times,” I say in as casual a voice as I can manage. “It’s not serious or anything. But she’s sweet. Gentle. She likes my kids. And she’s?—”

“It’s not serious but she’s already hanging out with your kids?” Chandler asks dubiously. “That sounds like bullshit to me.”

“She met the kids at one of the weddings,” I explain, “and they adore her. All I’m trying to say is, I’ve met someone who’s the opposite of Brenna. She’s happy to just hang out at the pool with the kids. She may be a supermodel but she’s also healing from her own trauma, so she understands some of what I’m going through. She’s not after my money or looking for a ring—she just wants someone to treat her well. Kind of like me.”

They’re all quiet for a minute.

“I feel like we momentarily grew vaginas,” Connor says after a beat. “But what you just said makes sense. You and Stevie are kindred spirits, or some shit. Effie told me her ex nearly killed her, so it stands to reason she would be drawn to someone who’s also been through the wringer. Someone who understands trauma. It was different trauma, but still trauma.”

“Exactly.” He can be an immature prick sometimes, but there’s a good kid underneath the teenage exterior.

“Is it a secret?” Gabe asks. “That you’re dating?”

“No. It’s just been hard to spend time together alone. We’re both busy. My mom is here so I have a little more freedom than usual, but Stevie’s working a lot more now so she’s not always free when I am.”

“Your kids must be the ultimate cock blockers,” Connor deadpans. Then he and Chandler burst out laughing.

I roll my eyes.

There’s the immature asshole I know and love, but it’s okay.

He’s not wrong.

Kids definitely get in the way of my sex life.

Normally, I don’t mind, but it’s been far too long since I’ve had sex—and making love to Stevie is at the top of my to-do list.

“I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do when my mom leaves,” I admit.

“When does Brenna come to pick up the kids?” Gabe asks.

“Two weeks.”

He grimaces. “And you go before the judge in October?”

“Opening day of hockey season,” I say.

“Ah hell.” Gabe shakes his head. “That’ll fuck with your head for sure.”

“All of this has fucked with my head. The good news is that Philippe is gone now, so I only have to see his smug, ugly face twice every season. Brenna, unfortunately, will always be a part of my life because of the kids. She’ll always be their mother.”

“Unless Phil convinces her to sign away her rights.” Connor smirks but then hesitates. “That’s not a thing…is it?”

The four of us are dead silent.

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