Page 52 of Hard to Take

But it’s getting harder to hide from Jay that his little sister is living rent free in my head.

And in my bed.

“You heading out?”

I look up from grabbing my bag on the sidelines of the court to see Jay next to me. “I need to stop at the store, then going to Grams’s. You?”

“Going to hit the gym. As my agent reminded me, I have a contract year coming up.”

It’s a reminder for me, too. There’s a ton of pressure in this business, always guys wanting your spot, plus suits making plans and moving pieces around like a chess match. While it would be crazy of the Kodiaks not to try and retain Jay, it’s impossible to know what’s going on behind the scenes and what other teams have in store.

I haven’t spent much time off the court lately with Jay, not only because of Brooke. Life has been busy with Grams and extra training. I miss the downtime, the jokes and the camaraderie that seem to be the first thing to evaporate when you’re hunting wins.

“Wait for me.”

The Kodiak fitness facility is tricked out with everything you could dream of. When we get there, a handful of guys are working out. Clay’s in one corner, headphones on. He nods as we enter but doesn’t speak.

I adjust the weight on a barbell and settle onto the bench. I shift it out of the cups and over my face, Jay moving to spot me.

“So, you sick of my sister yet?” he asks.

My elbows buckle. My grip slips, and the bar descends swiftly toward my face.

Jay catches it halfway to my face. “Shit. Bet you’re thanking God for me right now.”

He grins, and I exhale hard.

“I mean it though. B’s kind of a slob,” he adds.

He means as a roommate. Which is the last thing I’ve thought about over the past two weeks.

“Nah. She’s great,” I wheeze as I press the bar up. “I like having her around.”

It’s true. Aside from the part where she’s dynamite in bed, Brooke is fun and funny. She calls me out if I’m distracted, presses me to talk about what’s on my mind.

I catch myself paying attention to how she looks brushing her teeth in the morning, or the smell of her body wash in the bathroom, or the sound of the hangers in her closet as she riffles through for an outfit in the morning.

“She bring anyone around? Like a guy?” Jay asks.

The next rep has me sweating. “Not lately.”

Because the first time went so well.

“I’m glad you haven’t seen Kevin. My mom still loves having him support her campaign, and she thinks Brooke’s the best way to get that.”

“He shows at my place, I’ll rip his preppy head from his body.”

Jay’s brows lift, but after a moment, he laughs.

“You did that once. Can’t afford to get into trouble again.”

I take a moment to wipe the sweat from my face with a towel. The gym's familiar scent of rubber and metal fills my nostrils, grounding me.

“Kevin was a piece of shit,” I say, my voice low and intense. “Cheating on her, and blaming his drug use on her? That's beyond fucked up.”

“I'm glad you were there back then.” Jay moves to the bench, getting ready for his set. “Why did you go so hard on him?”

“She deserved better.” He hears the edge in my voice. He must, because he doesn’t respond right away.

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