Page 27 of Hard to Take

I can’t have her, not only because Jay would murder me.

Having a pro career and a healthy relationship aren’t usually compatible. The Kodiaks come first for as long as I’m lucky enough to put on a uniform and take the court every night.

And there’s no way I’m starting something unhealthy with Brooke Ellis.

She deserves more than that. She deserves everything.

When I went to bed the night before we left for the road trip, I tossed and turned, imagining her tangled in her sheets on the other side of the wall.

I wanted to do exactly what I was preventing any other man from doing—padding down the hall into her room, skimming my lips across her smooth throat, making her moan my name while I worked a hand between her thighs.

Shoving down every instinct was working until I found her earring in my bed.

As much as the idea that Brooke put it between my sheets for me to find turns me on, the possibility she didn’t intend for me to know is even more torturous.

She was in my bed. On it, anyway.

The scent of her shower gel lingered on my pillow.

Now she’s on a date with some asshole.

I wanted to drag him out of my condo by the hair, but I’m trying not to be that guy.

What was I supposed to do—lock the door with my teammate’s little sister inside? Tell her the only man she’s going to fuck is me?

Clay continues in the same breath, “I heard you got a new roommate.”

News travels fast.

“I’m helping out a friend.”

“Your friend a vampire? Because it looks like something’s sucking the life out of you.”

I laugh. I can’t stop.

“What?” Clay grunts.

“Didn’t know you were funny, man.” The laughter fades. “But for real, I wouldn’t do that to the team. I know we’ve got to focus.”

We have to win here. They need it and I need it—for my Grams and my career.

7

Miles: How was the date last night?

Brooke: Fantastic. Your game?

Miles: Got a win. Tonight is another story. Back-to-backs suck.

Brooke: You need a lucky charm.

Miles: If I’m at home, I rub Waffles’s ears before the game. Is he behaving himself?

Brooke: Perfect gentleman.

Brooke: Speaking of which, I figured out what happened with the earring.

Miles: You did.

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