Page 26 of My Brother's Teammates

I open my mouth to respond and swiftly close it. The words are right there on the tip of my tongue—how about you put something sexy on and show me—but my dick is not in charge right now.

Okay, I’m trying not to let my dick be in charge right now.

“Have you thought about selling your lingerie online? Scaling things up a bit?” See, I’m in charge here. High- five.

“I’d love to have my own online store, and maybe an actual storefront one day, but I don’t know how realistic that is. I have no idea where to even start with something like that. Doesn’t matter though.” She sighs, resting her head against the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “My sewing machine and all my design notebooks are back at my ex’s apartment.”

“I don’t see a problem.” I push myself to my feet and extend a hand to her. “Let’s go pick it up.”

Her gaze volleys between me and my outstretched hand, that damn bottom lip trapped between her teeth. “We can’t.” She pauses, clearly seeing something in my features. “But… are you sure?”

This isn’t just about getting her stuff, it’s about her ex. I’m sure she’s nervous about seeing him again, and let’s be honest, he’s a complete and utter douchebag. I only talked to him a few times, but he always made sure to put Charlie down.

But I’ll be damned if he says something to her in front of me. I won’t hesitate to make sure he eats a few of his teeth for lunch.

“I’ve got you, Red. If he doesn’t want to let you in or says something I don’t like, he’s going to get knocked the fuck out. Now, let’s go get your stuff so we can figure out a way so you never have to teach again.”

ELEVEN

Charlotte

My sweaty palms cling to my thighs as I freeze, facing the door to my old apartment, the place I called home for two years. Not anymore. Not since… fuck.

I’ve been so distracted with my disaster of a life I almost forgot about the dull ache that had settled deep in my chest. But not here. Not when I’m forced to face my past, the betrayal, the years of being second-best because I constantly put Shane first.

This was a mistake.

Even with Mateo at my back, hovering over me like a helicopter parent, I’m not sure I have the strength to walk through that door. My legs are shaking, my mouth is dry, and I feel like I might puke.

Or cry.

Or puke and cry.

I’ve been telling myself I’m over Shane, over the hurt he’s caused me, but it’s clearly all a lie. It’s still there, nestled deep in my chest.

I roll my lips between my teeth and bite down. I’m not going to cry in front of this asshole, no way in hell. Not Mateo, of course, he’s not an asshole. In fact, he’s way sweeter than I ever gave him credit for, and he’s already seen me cry today.

A lot.

Dunno who that mushy guy in Teo’s body was who tenderly touched my face and listened to my fears on the floor, but I want to get to know him more. I get the distinct feeling he doesn’t let very many people in, that he doesn’t let people get close, but damn. I really want to try. And I sure as hell want to kiss those pretty lips of his.

That’s what got me into this mess in the first place. If it weren’t for him and his words of encouragement and that gigantic tent in his joggers, I wouldn’t be standing in my old apartment complex.

I’m not sure if it makes it better or worse that I’ve seen that bad boy in person. Okay, probably way worse, since I know exactly how large it is—which, of course, is exactly what I pictured when his cock started standing at attention, sending all my blood rushing south of the border and making me crazy with need. At that moment, he could have asked me to carve out my spleen and give it to him on a side plate. Not only would I have obliged, I’d have given him a kidney, too.

My brain was so distracted by Mateo’s massive hard-on that when he extended his hand to me and told me we should come to this piece of shit’s house to pick up my things, I blindly said “Sure, let’s go.”

“Are we going to stand out here all day?” He nudges me gently, giving me a small smile. “You ready, Red?”

I’m not ready.

Not even close. On the other side of this door, Shane and Kai are playing happy family while I’m jobless, cockblocking three pro hockey players by crashing in their spare room, and damn near burning their place down on the daily. My future is bleak, my bank account is nearly empty, and I don’t have anyone. Not really. Not even a cat.

How is this what my life has come to?

My chin trembles, my eyes filling with tears that I blink back until they stop threatening to fall.

Shame coats my throat as I try to swallow down the lump of embarrassment sitting on the back of my tongue. I wanted to be someone, do something meaningful with my life, and look at me now.

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