Page 30 of Anti Player

I rake my fingers through my hair, trying to get a semblance of control. “Dammit, you’re right. Have a good night, Mad Pie. That’s why I always called you Mad Pie, so that I would remember just how off-limits you were.”

Her jaw drops. Her eyes widen and go back down to size, and then she leaves out my door without another word.

I turn around and chide myself, wanting to punch a wall. Why did I just confess my little secret? There’s no going back now.

Maddie is gone and I go to bed and jack off to thoughts of her heart-shaped lips. Thinking of those lips wrapped around my cock. Then I picture myself kissing the inside of her thighs and making her writhe beneath me. I may be a virgin, but I know how to bring a woman pleasure. The attraction between us is clearly fire. Maybe I can offer Maddie a proposal. She helpsme lose my virginity and I help her get over her relationship issues. She can have sex with me without falling in love and Brett wouldn’t be the wiser.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Madison

My heart is racing as I walk back to Brett’s apartment. What just happened? It feels like a dream. I’m getting too excited already. Kaleb wants me. Kaleb wants me. No, no, no. I need to get a grip. I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart as I replay the way his deep voice sounded when he saidthat’s why I call you Mad Pie, so I can remember why you’re off-limits.That means he was attracted to me when we were younger. My crush wasn’t one sided. Even though Kaleb and I can’t act on our attraction, it feels good to know those feelings are returned.

I head into the office that Brett has converted into an extra room to check on Asher. There is a daybed in here that is the perfect size for him. My son is sound asleep, curled up under the covers, looking peaceful. I peck his forehead lightly and head to my room. Brett must be asleep too because the lights are out, and he isn’t around. When I get into bed, I still feel excitement coursing through my veins. Having Kaleb that close to me felt like a dream. Touching him caused sparks to erupt inside me, but I was smart to shut whatever was happening down. We can’t go down that road, no matter how attracted we are to each other. It felt good to have self-control tonight. I wasn’t willing to diveinto something without thinking. It made me feel like I was in control of myself and my feelings for the first time in my life. I know better than to mess with my brothers’ friend. Kaleb is family to Henry and Brett. I could never damage their dynamic, and I need to show myself I am not weak. I am not my mother. I won’t just fall into another man’s arms. I need to show myself I can be independent.

I slide into bed; the sheets cool against my skin. I decide to keep Kaleb’s hoodie on because it smells like him and it’s delicious. It doesn’t mean anything. I just like the way the man smells and his hoodie is oversized and comfy, just like Kaleb. A small giggle escapes me at that analogy.

I fall into a slumber with a smile on my face and when I wake up in the morning I am in a great mood. Since I don’t have to be at work early, I decide to go for a jog before waking Asher up. I’ve never lived in a large city before. Running down the bustling streets at 7:00 a.m. is new since the last area I lived in was so quiet. I’m in a good mood when I return from my jog, which feels nice after the breakup with Nathan left me feeling down and depressed. Just thinking about Nathan causes a stinging pain, but I don’t allow it to linger. Instead, I tell myself he wasn’t worth my time and it’s better I found out when I did. I like being in the city. All the excitement here gives me a rush.

I head to the kitchen and drink a large glass of water with a squeeze of lemon. Then I head into the office to wake my son.

“Hi, baby,” I say, brushing his hair off his face.

He pulls away and turns over. He really enjoys sleep.

“Time to get up, sleepyhead,” I urge.

“I don’t want to go back to camp. I hate it there,” he says, his voice gruff. Oh dear.

“You need to give it a chance,” I plead.

He turns toward me and his eyes flutter until they open. He pushes out his lower lip.

“Please, Mommy,” he begs.

“I need to be at work later. I need you to go to camp,” I tell him, feeling a good dose of mama guilt.

“Can I just go to Kaleb’s hockey camp? It’s so much fun. Kaleb taught me how to use a hockey stick and I made a friend named Smith. There was pizza. It was the best.”

“I’m glad you had fun with Kaleb.” I chuckle enjoying his enthusiasm, which doesn’t make an appearance often enough.

“He’s my best friend,” Asher says.

“What?” I’m confused, given the age discrepancy.

“Dude isn’t joking. He’s taken a liking to Kaleb,” Brett clarifies, leaning on the door to Asher’s room.

“Oh.”

“He likes Kaleb more than me,” my brother complains, sounding like a five-year-old.

I draw my brows together and give my brother an incredulous look.

“Hockey camp is the best,” Asher repeats. I’m happy to see him excited about something, but I would rather it not be Kaleb. Now that we’ve established how attracted we are to each other, it’s better we keep a distance.

“You can go back tonight,” Brett says to Asher. “But now you need to listen to your mom and go to day camp.”

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