Page 68 of Playing the Field
I have my back to Kyler, and I’m waiting for him to answer before turning around. But he doesn’t say a word. Then I realize I’ve sort of abandoned Hunter by dropping the bombshell and retreating. So I turn around and slowly look from one of them to the other.
Kyler is glaring at Hunter. “I warned you, man.” He sounds angry, but he can’t stay in character. He claps his friend on the back and hugs him. “And I couldn’t be happier if this is legit.”
“It’s fucking legit,” Hunter rasps. “I’m crazy about her.”
Kyler smiles. He’s not just grinning in amusement but flashing the widest smile I’ve seen from him in a while. He snaps his fingers. “I thought something might have been going on. So tell me. What’s the deal?”
I’m so stunned by his reaction that I don’t have a ready follow-up. “Um, we’re dating and it’s good.” Now I smile. “Things are really good.”
He shuts me down with a wave of his hand. “Okay, cancel that. I don’t need details. I’m glad to hear it. For both of you.”
Walking over to him, I extend my arms, and he pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you for being cool about it. I didn’t mean to keep things from you.”
He releases me and shakes his head. “I get it. We’re sibs. It’s weird. But like I told you, you’re a catch, Gracie. You deserve to be happy, and if this brute does it for you, well…” He points at Hunter and shrugs. “Then I’m happy.” He looks at the table, which is laden with food. “And I’m starving. Can we eat?”
“We can eat,” Hunter confirms, pulling my chair out while my brother nods, impressed.
“Look at you with the chivalry,” Ky says.
“Not another fucking word.” He points a finger at Kyler, but he can’t suppress his own smile. So we sit there, the three of us, grinning like loons. And I love it.
CHAPTER 34
Gracie
One WeekLater
Three brownie panssit on the stovetop, each batch undercooked because I was impatient and convinced myself that people will eat brownies that are practically liquid in the middle. And by “people,” I mean me.
I dig into the coolest pan and remove a square from the center, where it’s practically goo. I catch a drip on my tongue as I shove a corner into my mouth and bite. The chocolate and sugar hit, and I feel slightly calmer.
I let out a big exhale and take a swig of my coffee, thinking about the Devils event with my former company tonight, where I know I’ll run into my ex.
I realize that for the first time since my breakup with Peter, I feel readyto face him.
I’m more fulfilled by my job with the Devils than I was at my old company. I love it in LA despite my affinity for the Bay Area. I’m in a good place in my life. I want to show him that he didn’t end me despite how I felt when we broke up.
And Tatum is right. I should try to look good. I should walk into that room with an air of confidence and show him that I’m fine. He didn’t break me. In fact, he did me a favor, leading me here.
Another bite of brownie confirms it.
This is the earliest I’ve been up in a while, and I can almost see why Kyler likes waking up before dawn and heading out with his surfboard. It must be nice on the ocean as the sunlight illuminates the sky and the cool morning air feels still.
“Is it…morning?” Hunter comes up behind me, puts his hands on my shoulders, and nuzzles my neck. My head falls back, and I let out a little moan of approval. One tiny touch, and this man has me at his mercy.
“Mm-hmm. Go back to sleep. But don’t because that feels too good.” He kisses my cheek and then my lips.
“Chocolate. Smells like a bakery in here.”
“Yeah, sorry. Did I wake you?”
He stretches, and I take note of his bare torso, the lean muscle of his abs, and the V leading into his low-slung plaid pajama pants. “Not really. I was reading. There’s a new Karin Slaughter book out.”
“You love a good thriller.”
“I do. I’m halfway done already. Why are you up?”
I debate telling him the real reason. I could say I had an early phone meeting, and he’d believe it. But then I decide that I want a real relationship where I’m open and I trust my partner.
