Page 64 of Anti Player

“You’re home.” He breathes a sigh of relief.

“You should’ve called me,” I scold my brother.

“Kaleb had everything under control. We survived,” he says.

“Can I bring you anything?” I ask him.

He sits up. “Maybe more water.”

I take his glass and head to the kitchen to fill it. My head is spinning. I’ve never been able to rely on any of my partners. If I got sick, I took care of myself. If Asher got sick it was always me. It feels good to have this kind of support. Knowing it was Kaleb makes me feel all fuzzy inside. High school crushes are hard to get over. Add to it that he’s turned out to be a kind, caring human who looks the way he does and I am in so much trouble.

I fill the glass of water and head back to Brett’s room. He drinks it down a little too fast, saying he’s parched.

“Let me know if you need anything else,” I say to him. I turn to leave his room.

“Maddie,” he calls after me. “Are you okay? I mean. . .you know. . .emotionally. With the whole Nathan business.”

“I’m good, Brett. I’m healing. You get some rest.”

“Yeah,” my brother says, and he lies back in bed and pulls the cover over his head.

I head to the bathroom and shower after a long day at work. I start to think back on my and Kaleb’s sexcapades. We areplaying a dangerous game and it’s been so worth it for me, but now it’s time to end things. I already feel like I’m far gone on the guy. I get out of the shower and get in to bed beside Asher. He smells like puke but we’ll have to deal with it in the morning. I snuggle in close to my son, grateful he’s doing okay now. Then my mind wanders back to Kaleb. He was being weird at the door tonight. I want to figure out what is bothering him, but I also can’t risk getting any closer than I already am. I remind myself of the new woman I am becoming. A woman in control. A woman who can’t fall head over heels for her brother’s best friend.

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Madison

Sunday was spent in the apartment all day, making sure Brett and Asher were resting enough and replenishing the fluids they lost. Asher was in love with Kaleb’s chicken broth and couldn’t stop talking about how he and Kaleb spent the night watching movies together, even though he was sick.

This led my brother to watch me skeptically. “What?” I finally ask him.

“Do not grow feelings for Bardot,” Brett warns, but it is more like an order.

“Obviously not,” I say like the thought is preposterous.

My phone buzzes and I think it will be the man of the hour, but it’s Ellie asking if I want to meet her for lunch and shopping.

Brett watches me, as usual, like he is trying to figure out what I am planning.

“Relax, it’s Ellie. She wants to meet me for lunch and shopping, I’ll just let her know I can’t make it,” I assure my brother.

“Why? You can go. Ash and I can chill at home, right, buddy?” Brett asks, looking between me and my son.

Asher nods.

“See, go have fun. You need female friends,” Brett states.

I laugh. “You really are very intuitive for a hockey player.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that,” my brother exclaims.

I walk up to him and peck his cheek. “Thanks. I’ll go get dressed. Although I’ll take her up on lunch sans shopping,”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll give you my credit card. What am I going to do with all my money anyway?” Brett is very thoughtful of how he spends his money. Where many players have fancy cars and a fancy life, Brett lives modestly.

“I’m not spending your money on clothes,” I assure.

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