Page 75 of Tell Me Lies

“Dude, you always have to do this shit,” Ryder says, shooting Kolt a harsh glare. “Every single time.”

“Do what?” Kolt grumbles, peeking over the stuffed bullmastiff in his arms, which is literally the size of Clyde.

He already gave Amelia a small bullmastiff stuffie. This time, I guess he went with the life-sized version.

“Don’t play dumb with me.” Ryder points at the gift. “You little one-upper, you.”

“Like a ten-upper, I’d say,” Tripp chimes in, glancing from Ryder’s bouquet of flowers to Kolt’s gift that might not even fit in the back seat of Logan’s pickup. “Sorry, Ry. But Kolt is for sure winning this time. Amy is going to lose her shit over that dog.”

Smith comes out of nowhere, giving both of them a sly smirk as he holds up a card. “You all suck. I got her money. What kid doesn’t love money?”

“A kid whose dad is one of the highest-paid players in the NHL,” Kolt deadpans, not looking at Smith.

“Yeah, what he said.” Ryder gives Smith a chin jerk. “Fuck your cash.”

I’m doing all I can to not burst out laughing because I’m ninety percent sure they have no idea whatsoever that I’m listening in.

“Whatever,” Smith mumbles. “What the fuck is she supposed to do with that thing anyway? Besides, don’t you know anything? Kid likes excavators and Highland cows.”

“Nah, lately, she likes bullmastiffs,” Kolt’s deep voice says, shrugging. “Sorry. But like Ryder said, fuck your cash.”

Amelia lets go of Logan’s hand and makes her way over to the group of gossip girls, shutting them up.

Rushing to Kolt, she stares up at him. “Uncle Kolty, is this for me?” She points to the life-sized stuffie.

Kneeling down, he nods. “You know it, Super A.” He gives the plush toy a once-over. “Whatcha think? Is big Clyde going to be okay with this guy?”

“Probably will become his newest mistress,” Logan mutters, running his hand up the back of his head. When he finds me shooting him a look, he shrugs. “What? Have you seen your dog with the pillows?” He elbows Ryder when he sees Kolt talking toAmelia and knows she won’t hear him. “Fucker gets after it. My dog is a pillow pimp.”

“So, your dog’s basically a perv, like you?” Ryder smirks. “The perfect match.”

I know he’s talking to Logan, but something about the way he just called Clydemy dogdoes something inside my belly. I feel butterflies flapping around, making me all giddy.

My apartment has been sitting empty for weeks. And even though the men who broke in were caught long ago, a part of me doesn’t want to go back. But that’s crazy. I mean, even if Logan and I are going to give this thing between us a real shot, it would be reckless to live together so soon, wouldn’t it?

And yet the thought of not living with them makes my heart hurt. I love the sound of Amelia’s feet walking into the kitchen in the morning when I’m sipping my coffee. Or typing on my computer and taking my headphones off and hearing Logan making her laugh.

One by one, Amelia makes her way through the Sharks.

And despite what the guys said, when Smith passes her a card and she tears it open, seeing the hundred-dollar bill in it, her eyes light up.

“Maci, look!” she squeals. “We can go to Target tomorrow!”

I giggle, smiling at the sight of her huge eyes while she waves the money around. “Yes, we will!”

“Daddy, can you carry my new Clyde?” Amelia says, struggling to even get her arms around the huge dog. “Thank you, Uncle Kolty. I love it.”

“I’ll carry it, sweetie,” I say, lifting it into my arms and peeking over its head.

Kolt’s tough exterior almost cracks—but only for a moment. Giving her a tiny grin, he bobs his head up and down once. “You know it, Super A. Hey, tell you what. For your birthday, I’ll try to get you an even bigger one.”

“How big do you think Sterns’s house is, Kolburne?” Ryder shakes his head and winks at Amelia. “I’ll get you the real thing.”

“A puppy?” she squeals. “Really, Uncle Ryder? Really?”

Logan gives him anare you fucking seriouslook and lifts her up. “All right, babe. Let’s get you home. There’s someone there just drooling on himself, ready to see you.”

He turns to face the crowd of men. “This week has been rough. And it’s been scary as hell. But I can’t thank y’all enough for checking in on us, dropping us off food because … this hospital’s food sucks, and for coming here today for Amy.” He kisses her cheek, grinning. “This team is our family, and we’re lucky to have you.”

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