Page 35 of Stumped

“Ugh, I wish. Sadly I’m all alone, like you, big brother.”

Patrick shrugs. “Ichooseto be alone.”

“The women of the world chose to leave you alone,” Nina responds, grinning at her comeback.

As much as their bickering can sometimes get out of hand, I enjoy watching them verbally spar. They’re only like this when it’s the three of us and never in front of our parents. Seeing the various sides of my siblings amuses me to no end, but it also makes me miss them.

“Looking forward to seeing you two at the beach. Been a long time,” I say, drawing their attention back to me.

Nina smiles, her beautiful face lighting up. “I miss you guys too.”

“Bring your leggy pixie, Ninan. I’d like to meet her.”

She scoffs. “In your dreams, Patricia.”

I shake my head as Patrick says, “I shalldefinitelydream about your pixie.”

She sticks her tongue out at him and I chuckle. “On that note, either of you bringing anybody?”

“Nope. Just me, myself and I,” Patrick replies and Nina shakes her head.

“All right. I gotta go refuel before my girl gets back, I’ll see you both in a few weeks.”

“That’s too much information!” Nina yells.

“Get some, baby brother!” Patrick’s laughter echoes as I end the call.

While I eat, I email the owner of the beach house to confirm the dates for our family getaway. I’ve been doing this for a few years now, as a chance for the three of us to unwind and take a break from the constant pressure we’re under as athletes. The eight bedroom house comes with a fantastic cook that knows all of our favourite dishes, access to the beach and a swimming pool. It’s the perfect escape and clearly my siblings need it this year, who am I to deny them that?

“Hey superstar,”a husky voice breathes into my ear. Hands slide over my bare skin as the covers are pulled back and I look up at the goddess straddling me. “Good morning, handsome.”

“Peaches,” I mumble.

She smiles and circles my nipple with a finger. “Are you well rested?”

“And well fed.” I stop her hands from wandering again. “How was your meeting?”

“You’re looking at the person responsible for marketing the Chennai Renegades.”

I prop myself up on my elbows and blink at her. “Whatdo you do?”

She leans forward, hair falling around us like a curtain, “Your bosses hired me to make the team look good.”

“That explains nothing.”

“The firm I own is now on contract with the Renegades for all marketing purposes. Commercials, hoardings, PR, social media. You name it, we do it.”

Holy shit, she’s accomplished as fuck. “You’re working for us?”

“Withthe Renegades. A small group will follow the team around capturing moments for content.”

“Amazing,” I whisper, not fully understanding what that means.

“It’s pretty cool.”

“You’re abossand I’m a…this.”

She frowns. “What’s wrong with you?”

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