Page 18 of The Game

“Stop. I’m going. Friends help friends.”

“Thank you.” He stares into my eyes. “I appreciate it.”

My knees wobble, and the pulse at my throat flutters like a kaleidoscope of butterflies have taken up root there. “You’re welcome.”

Is he going

to hug me? Oh, my Gawd. The butterflies shift to my stomach and swarm in circles.

He clears his throat and drops his hands to his sides. “The wedding is at St. Michael’s on Friday night. It starts at five o’clock. Then, the reception is at the Grand Hotel. We shouldn’t have to stay long.”

“Okay.” I flush and cross my arms over my chest. “What should I wear?” I glance down at my athletic wear. “I’m assuming this is out.”

His gaze travels to my feet and slowly back up to my eyes. “You can wear whatever you want. But it’s formal attire.”

Are his eyes darker? Is he thinking about sex? I shudder. “Okay,” I squeak out and cough. Hello, Mini Mouse – every guy’s dream seductive voice. Yeah, right. “I’ll find something.”

“Well, I guess I’d better go work out. I’ll see you around.”

“You too.” Thank God, I sound human again. When he pivots and walks to the machines, my eyes drift, as always, to his ass. Damn, I could bounce a quarter off his backside.

Chapter Ten

Gunner

When I step out of my bedroom, I see Joselyn running down the hallway wearing nothing but a diaper and a pair of stockings. “Jos, where are you going?”

She turns and gives me a giant toothy grin before twisting back around and sneaking into the bathroom.

I shake my head and smile. Joselyn is an absolute doll. Her black curls fall in waves around her chubby face, and her eyes are forever lit with mischief and joy.

My sister hops on one foot as she comes out of her bedroom door while sliding a pump on her foot. “Where did she go?” The joy in Joselyn’s eyes is in complete opposition to the total frustration in my sister’s.

How does Veronica do it? Single parenting is not fucking easy. My stomach clutches. Not that her being with Rafael is ever going to be an option. I’d gut him first.

He’s lucky as fuck I never knew he used her as a punching bag until she was well away from him. Rafael was strategic in his choice of targets. Thankfully, when Veronica got pregnant, she found the strength to get away from him and left.

I hitch my thumb over my shoulder. “Bathroom.”

She stops, and her mouth drops open. “Holy shit, Gunner. You look hot.” She steps into my space, and then, she circles around me. “Fuck, who is she?”

“What?” I try to make my face devoid of emotion. Shit. That’s a dead giveaway. I relax my shoulders and give her a devil may care look. That’s better.

One side of her face elevates into a smile. “You don’t get dressed in an Italian suit and get your hair cut for a cousin’s wedding.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Who’re you taking?”

“A friend.”

“A friend?” She whistles. “This friend is going to get her socks knocked off with one look at you.”

I shuffle my feet and stare at the wall. Should I tell Veronica the truth? She’s the only one I trust not to blab it to everyone under the sun. If I make her promise. Forgetting that part is a surefire announcement to be shouted at the top of her lungs. Shit. If she gets drunk, I’m screwed. Never mind. I’m not telling her anything.

“Yes, she’s a friend. I only invited her because Mom threatened to saddle me with Tiana.” I shrug. “I might have told Mom a little white lie and said the woman I’m bringing is my girlfriend.”

She grabs her stomach and laughs uncontrollably until Joselyn pokes her head out the door. “What’s funny, Momma?”

Veronica’s eyes narrow into little slits, and she marches over to Joselyn and snatches her off the ground. “You are rotten.”

“She’s perfect.”

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