Page 62 of Too Safe

I’m already fucking in it.

Chapter 24

Josephine

Kendricksitsatthefront of the room, behind a table situated on a platform. He’s sitting next to Decker, posing for a picture with two preteen boys. The two football players look like royalty. Kings holding court. Big-headed egos yukking it up, shaking hands, smiling for the camera, and signing footballs and posters and athletic shoes.

Kendrick’s gleaming white teeth almost make him look kind.

“I didn’t realize he knew how to smile.”

Locke chuckles beside me, lifting his glass of ice water to his lips. He takes a slow, measured sip, then gently sets the cup back down on the table.

He hisses and blows out a long breath, then he flexes the hand that was just holding the ice water, grimacing.

“You okay?” I ask, gently brushing my knee against his under the picnic table, going for nonchalant.

“No.” He presses his lips together in a tight line. “But I’m used to it.”

I don’t know what to make of that. Or where things stand between the two of us. So I’m not sure how to navigate this.

We went from hot and heavy to pissed off and resentful in a matter of days (at least from my end). But this morning felt okay. Like maybe we could make amends. Even if we don’t end up where we were headed, I could certainly use another friend in the house. I have a feeling I’ll need all the help I can get in order to survive the insufferable grinning bastards at the front of the room over the next several weeks.

Now’s not the time to delve into any of that, though. For starters, we have an audience.

I’m sandwiched between Locke and Kylian. Kylian, who had me pressed up against my bedroom door and served up a delicious, toy-assisted orgasm just a few hours ago. Kylian, who has grazed his hand over my low back and teased his fingertips along the raw hem of my shorts more than once since we’ve been here.

We’re also surrounded by hundreds—yes, hundreds—of people, all waiting for their turn to speak to and take pictures with Decker and Kendrick.

The Boatyard is a massive venue. With indoor and outdoor seating and at least three separate bars, it’s a wonder we found a table.

Although as I take in our surroundings, I realize no one has tried to sit down across from us, or on either side of the guys.

With a quiet huff, it clicks. Obviously, they’ve got some sort of reserved seating arrangement worked out. Just like how there was a prime docking spot open when we got here.

“I’m going to order food,” Kylian announces, rising up from the picnic bench seat. He turns back and regards me.

When I tip my head back, I’m met with a heavy dose of liquid heat radiating from his gaze.

“Will you be okay here?”

His concern is sweet but unwarranted.

“I’m good,” I assure him, clearing my throat when my voice comes out shakier than intended.

With that, he walks away, lithely moving through the crowd.

“So that’s a thing now?” Locke murmurs, tracing the condensation gathered on the outside of his glass.

My hackles raise at the callout. “It wouldn’t be any of your business if it was.”

He licks his bottom lip and bites down, holding the plush flesh between his teeth for a few breaths. Then he offers me one of his brilliant smiles.

“Something you should know now, Hot Girl.”

I grind my molars at the use of the endearment. Things are less volatile between us today, but that doesn’t mean we’re back to flirting and pet names.

“If something concerns one of us,” he juts his chin toward Decker and Kendrick, “it most certainly concerns all of us.”

---