Page 64 of These Pucking Boys

Jake smirks. “Mrs. Carpenter was very creative when she named her pets.”

“I’ll say. Where do you think Humberto is?” I have no clue how big the turtle is, but I know they can be difficult to find sometimes.

“He should be in this little habitat on the balcony,” Jake says.

Lachlan returns to the living room—I didn’t even notice him leaving—and he’s holding a melon-size turtle in his hands. “He was in Mrs. Carpenter’s bathroom.”

“Uh? How did he get there?” Ryan asks.

Lachlan walks toward the balcony. “Through the pet door. Mrs. Carpenter had it installed because Eros and Apollo like to chill outside.”

“No, Winston. That’s not a toy!”

I look and find Jake trying to yank something free from Winston’s clenched teeth. It’s a dark piece of fabric I don’t recognize at first. He must have snagged it from the box Jake set down. The lid is open.

“What did he get?” I walk over.

“A pair of slacks from your box. He thinks it’s a toy. I’m sorry, June.”

Up close, I recognize the material. Instead of being upset, I laugh. “Let him play with it. I don’t care.”

Jake looks at me, brows scrunched together. “Are you sure?”

“Those are Bill’s pants. I had his dry cleaning with me on the day he kicked me out of the apartment. He decided he’d rather give up his favorite suit than let me inside.”

Jake releases the fabric and stands straight. “In that case, go to town, Winston.”

“Where’s the jacket?” Ryan peers inside the box and pulls it out. “Oh, this isn’t a cheap suit.”

I was amused before, but Ryan’s comment about the suit’s price tag makes me feel guilty. “I know. I planned to donate it to charity.”

Ryan grimaces. “Nah. You don’t want anyone getting exposed to your ex’s douche energy.”

Now that Jake is no longer trying to snag the pants from Winston, he loses interest in them and jumps to catch a sleeve of the jacket Ryan’s holding. Ryan pulls it back, hard, and the sleeve rips at the seam. “Oops. I guess Bill’s suit is Winston’s bitch now.”

I shrug. “Oh well.”

Ryan steps closer and throws an arm over my shoulder. “I’ll donate one of my suits to charity, Peaches.”

My entire body tingles from his proximity, and my ability to form sentences is hindered for a moment. “You don’t have to.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll donate too,” Jake butts in.

Ryan drops his arm from my shoulder and steps back. “Sure, Jakey, steal my thunder, why don’t you?”

“And me.” Lachlan smirks. “I’m donating too.”

Ryan shakes his head then looks at me. “Watch out for those two.”

I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take his statement. It sounds like he’s joking, but I do have to be careful… with all of them. They’re way too dreamy for my bruised heart.

CHAPTER 26

JUNE

After the boys helped me bring all my things to Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment and I got organized, I called Katrina to ask if she and Beau would be free to come to the game with me. I was relieved when Jake said I could bring friends. The prospect of attending their game and hanging out in the family lounge solo was terrifying. I didn’t expect Melissa to play babysitter again. Besides, I’m a grown-ass woman; I shouldn’t need one.

Unfortunately, Katrina couldn’t find a sitter at the last minute, so Beau had to stay behind with the kids. I guess it was unfortunate only for him. Having a girl’s night out is an even better outcome. There’s so much to talk about.

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