Page 82 of Triple Power Play 3
My best friend widens his eyes and flashesthe look.“I want him,” he says through gritted teeth.
I frown in confusion until the dog handler approaches, and G is suddenly tongue-tied.
“You’re mine—I mean, he’s mine,” he stammers, his face turning an almost purple shade. “You’re here for me.”
It’s ironic Grant loves dogs, considering how he acts like a puppy himself. He’s always happy, often goofy, and fiercely loyal.
He and Killian were the only players who weren’t intimidated by Kyle. They stuck with me even after knowing he was a piece of shit. They stayed by my side despite my depression, isolation, and drug use.
The only dispute we’ve ever had was about how I treated Aurora. Kill just started speaking to me again at the beginning of this season—after I got sober. Given his past with an abusive stepfather, I can understand why he didn’t want to be around me. I can’t say I blame him—I was an asshole.
Grant has been my ride or die since our rookie year. We’d often go out and party together, so I know for a fact he does well with women. The way he’s currently struck stupid is not his usual style. He’s charming and hilarious.
For this reason, I don’t argue when he claims the husky. I only wanted Celly to distract Coach from PR Patty anyhow.
We wait at a stoplight to exit the arena, and Ethan rakes his fingers through his hair. “Thank fuck you didn’t take that puppy.”
“Not a fan of dogs?” I ask.
“No, I’m not a fan of Patty. I don’t need her or the media team at our house.”
I scoff. “Afraid your sidepiece will find out you live with us?”
A smile plays on his lips despite his white-knuckle grip on the wheel. “Don’t fucking start. That might be a joke to you, but you know who it won’t be a joke to? My pregnant girlfriend.”
“I’m not joking!” My voice elevates. “Patty doesn’t know you have a pregnant girlfriend. Patty wants you to bend her over your desk. Patty is one step away from me burning her car in the parking lot.”
He roars with laughter, his head tilted back. “And what if I did bend her over my desk?”
A part of my brain knows he’s taunting me, but the impulsive, jealous, and slightly insane side is much,muchlouder. “Then I’d make sure she was in it when I lit the match.”
Amusement shines in his gaze, and his wide grin reveals a dimple. “There’s something seriously wrong with you.”
“You think I’m kidding? I just watched her climb into a black Toyota Sienna. You need me to rattle off the license plate number?”
He dabs tears from the corners of his eyes with his shirtsleeve. “I want nothing to do with Patty, and if you mention this to Aurora and get her going too, I’ll never sleep with you again.”
“Please.” I fold my arms over my chest and relax into the seat. “You love my cock, and you know it.”
He chokes out a laugh. “Stop.” He shoves my head playfully. “I have to drive. Sit there and don’t talk.”
38
REECE
“Embers,” the nurse calls out, her gaze already on the four of us, along with everyone else in the waiting room.
Jackson flashes a brilliant smile and takes Aurora’s hand. He gets about two feet away before he turns to me, eyes narrowed. “Are you coming or what?”
My brows furrow. “Ah… What?”
He comes closer and lowers his voice. “How can you care for her without knowing what she needs?”
I peer beyond the nurse and into the hallway leading to the patient rooms. I’m not fond of hospitals or medical clinics. That antiseptic smell and those glaring, stark white walls evoke some of my worst memories.
Whenever Aurora attended appointments or went to the emergency department, she had the other two, and I found reasons to stay behind. Today was different. I had no choice but to accompany her.
“You don’t have to.” Her gentle words are sincere, but disappointment lingers in her gaze.
