Page 58 of Heated Rivalry 1
“Thanks for coming with us,” Hayden said, stooping to pick up the pacifier that his son, Arthur, had dropped on the ground. Hayden gave it a quick wipe on his shirt and plunged it back into Arthur’s mouth. Shane made a disgusted face that Hayden didn’t see. “Jackie’s sister is visiting and they wanted to go shopping and shit.”
“Swear jar,” Shane said.
“Right. Shopping andstuff. Anyway, it’s hard going anywhere with these three monsters, so I appreciate the help.”
“My pleasure, man.”
Shane was sincerely enjoying himself. The Biodome was a good place for him to go without getting mobbed. People were so distracted by the animals, and by trying to wrangle their own children, that they weren’t bothering to look at the other adults in the room. Shane was also wearing a ball cap and a simple black jacket to try to blend in even better. So far it was working.
“Oh shit—I mean, shoot—looks like Ruby is trying to steal a starfish.” Hayden nudged the stroller handles toward Shane. “Here, you watch Arthur for a second, okay?”
He was darting toward the touch tank and the twins before Shane could reply.
Shane knelt in front of the stroller and smiled at the sleepy-eyed little boy. “Hey, buddy,” he said. “You having a good time?”
Arthur reached out and grabbed the front of Shane’s ball cap.
“Let’s go see some penguins!” Hayden said. He had returned carrying one twin under each arm.
“Penguins!” both girls squealed at once.
“Penguins!” Shane said, clapping his hands and trying to mimic the girls’ excitement.
Hayden huffed. “All right, children. Follow your big brother Shane.”
He set the girls down, and they each took one of Shane’s hands. Shane’s heart clenched. Their hands were sotiny.
In the Antarctic room, Hayden and Shane were able to sit on a bench with the stroller parked next to them while the twins ran up to the glass to look at the penguins.
“So Jackie has this friend...” Hayden said.
Oh, Jesus. Here we go again.
“No,” Shane said.
“I know, but listen. She’s gorgeous, and she’s cool. She’s a yoga instructor. You like yoga, right?”
“I’m sure she’s great, but I’m really not interested in dating anyone right now.”
“Why the f—I mean, why on earth not? You’re young, you’re rich, you’re famous, you...look like you.”
Shane gave him a flirty look. “Hayden, do you find me attractive?”
“Look, pal. If I was a woman, I’d be all over you.”
Shane laughed. In truth, he could think of worse scenarios than having Hayden Pike all over him. But he wasn’t going to tellhimthat. Besides, Hayden was his best friend. He’d never had anything but platonic feelings for him, blond hair, green eyes, and cleft chin aside.
“So this friend,” Hayden tried again. “Samantha is her name. I think you would really like her.”
Shane buried his face in his hands, almost knocking his own ball cap off. “Please stop trying to set me up on dates, Hayd.”
“I just want to see you happy! And I want you to have a hundred kids so you can know my pain!”
Shane scrubbed his hands over his face and looked up to see Jade and Ruby shoving each other in front of the glass.
“Fuck it. I gotta break this up,” Hayden grumbled, already walking toward them.
Shane sighed. “Tell your dad to lay off my love life, all right, Arthur?”
