Page 21 of The Playboy's Playbook

Luke chokes on his coffee and stands up to catch his breath. “Dude, you just went out with her last week and now you want her to meet the parent? Jeez, let the girl get her thoughts together and decide if she even wants to be with your ass first.”

I shrug my shoulders. “It’s beautiful weather to fire up the grill. Plus, the boys used the bathroom in the trash can outside because you told them they couldn’t go swimming today.”

“They what!?” Luke screams before running outside and seeing the surprise Clay and Jen left for him.

“Boys!” Luke bellows as he runs upstairs to their rooms.

“Is that a yes?” I call after him.

“Go to hell, Foster!”

Chapter Ten

LAILA

Matthew surprised me when he asked to see me today. I was beginning to think that he had enough of me last week because he didn’t make any mention of wanting to see each other again.

I was sad at first, but then I remembered that’s the type of person he is. He treats girls like they’re on top of the world and then he ghosts them or completely avoids them once he’s had his way.

He makes people feel low, cheap. Worthless.

I was hesitant to accept his invitation today, but eventually – and by eventually, I mean a long phone call with Erica where she yelled at me to stop being a baby – I told him I’d be there.

Nola’s never been to a cookout, so I asked Matthew if it was okay to bring her. He said absolutely and that he had some people who would love to meet and play with her.

After an hour of struggling to find an outfit and wrangling Nola into her carrier, I finally pulled up to the address Matthew gave me. I’m sitting in my car, looking at the gorgeous house in front of me and giving myself a mental pep talk to get out of the car.

The house is typical for southern suburban Alabama. It looks like my mom’s house with its brick exterior and polished yard. There’s a basketball hoop attached to the top of the garage and a few toy trucks scattered on the front porch.

I must be the first person here because normally at cookouts, the street is jam packed with cars. There’s only two trucks in the driveway – Matthew’s blue F-150 and a blacked out Silverado.

I continue to study the house as I walk up the driveway to the front porch, clutching Nola tightly to my chest.

“Okay, Nola. Remember what I said in the car. This is not a playdate, so whoever offers you pets is not automatically your friend. We’re here because your Auntie Erica said to be nice and I’m being nice,” I explain to Nola as if she’ll understand a word coming out of my mouth.

I ring the doorbell and Nola lets out a tiny bark. I pet her behind her ear and bounce her while we wait. A minute later, the door swings open, revealing Matthew in jeans and a form fitting white t-shirt. His blond hair is pushed back by sunglasses sitting on his head.

“Hey,” he breathes, flashing me a dimpled grin.

“Hey.”

We stand in silence smiling at each other until Nola barks again, snapping us back to reality.

“Oh, this is Nola,” I say, holding her up.

Matthew reaches out and I place Nola in his hands. She’s already small, but in his large hands, she looks like a toy. Matthew scratches behind her ear and she immediately falls in love with him.

Traitor.

“Nice to meet you, Nola,” Matthew coos at her. Matthew nods for me to enter the house fully, moving out of the doorframe. I know I gave Nola a pep talk about not falling for anyone who gives her pets, but seeing Matthew like this – a big softy – makes it kind of hard to not swoon a little.

He turns to me to speak when he’s cut off by two tiny voices calling for him. Soon, two boys come into view from downstairs, excitement all over their faces. I remember Clay from the rodeo and he’s followed by another boy with wavy brown hair and gray eyes.

“Uncle Matty, daddy said you have a date coming over!” Clay exclaims, bouncing up and down.

“Yeah, he said that you –” the shorter boy follows, but Matthew cuts him off before he can finish his sentence.

“Stop speaking and go outside. Please,” Matthew says, shooing the kids off.

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