Page 25 of Playmaker

I went from not being able to get it up a few days ago to not being able to put it back down because of her.

Unbelievable.

Mary grabs the plates while Richard finishes the pancakes. Both are completely oblivious to the sexual tension in the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Maddie says, giving her mom a side-hug. “What time did you guys get here?”

“Early this morning.” Mary claps with excitement. “I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s year so far!”

Maddie gives her mother a pointed look. “We catch up at least once a week. I have nothing new to tell you.”

Since she wanted to fuck withmeby wearingthatlittle ensemble, I’ll fuck with her right back.

I clear my throat and ask, “Really? There’s nothing exciting you want to share with your parents? I find that doubtful, Mads.”

The flush that rises to her cheeks pleases me more than I care to admit, but before I can focus on it further, Mary’s eyes dart between the two of us. “Did you just call herMads? I haven’t heard that nickname in ages.”

I smile from ear to ear. “Indeed I did.”

Maddie shoots daggers through her eyes at me before she twists to Mary and says, “Cameron and I are friends again for the time being. We’ve sorted out our issues for now.”

Friends.

What happened in the closet last night didn’t seem like friends to me. Then again, what else are we supposed to call this thing between us? We haven’t had the chance to talk about it since it happened, and a part of me is thankful for that. Do I want it to continue? Do I want to sneak around with her knowing what’s at stake? More importantly, does she?

Maybe she regrets it. Maybe she kissed me and thought I was shit at it. Who knows?

Mary’s sniffling drags me from my thoughts, and I smile when she says, “I knew you two would reconnect. It was only a matter of time. Gosh, I amthrilledto hear that. Aren’t you, Richard?”

“Hmm?” He drags his eyes away from the griddle. “Oh, yeah. It’s great the two of you are friends again. It’ll certainly make things less awkward this weekend.”

Ha.

Don’t be so certain about that, Richard.

The smell of bacon must have woken Ethan up because he’s next to join us. He kisses his mom on the cheek and nods at his dad before taking a seat on a bar stool beside me. Everyone in this family knows not to talk to Ethan when he first wakes up. He’s the devil incarnate until he’s had his cup of coffee, which Mary has already started brewing.

“So, what are your plans today?” Mary asks.

“IT’S LAKE TIME, BITCH!” Maya’s voice echoes from the high ceiling of the foyer before she races around the corner, her face blanching when she spots Mary and Richard in the kitchen as well. “Oh, I’m . . . I didn’t realize you came back today! I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Davis. I would have knocked, or—”

Mary scoffs and grabs another plate from the cabinet. “You’re like my other daughter, Maya, and I’ve told you a thousand times to call me Mary. Would you like to stay for breakfast before you leave?”

“Um, yes. Please. That’d be great.”

Maya takes the last bar stool beside Ethan, and I don’t miss the way his eyes flick to the bikini top beneath the sheer cover-up she has on. She arches a brow at him and asks, “Do you work today?”

Ethan shakes his head. “No. I’ve got the day off. Why?”

Well, it’s nice to know thatsomeonecan speak to him in the morning without him biting their head off. The rest of his family seems to think the same, exchanging confused glances before returning to their food.

“Well, I wanted to rent a boat for the day, but I don’t know how to sail. Maddie said you used to take sailing lessons as a kid?”

Ethan shifts in his seat. “I did, yeah.”

“Do you still know how to sail? If so, care to tag along for the day and be our captain?”

“Hm . . .” He taps a finger to his chin, contemplating. “That depends. Can I bring Cameron? I don’t want to be on a boat with just you two. I’ll die from boredom if I have to talk about Justin Bieber and Harry Styles all day.”

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