Page 79 of Anti Player

“I already spoke to Liam, Wolfe, and Connor. They are all going with their wives and kids to Coney Island with us today,” I say cheerfully.

Her jaw drops.

“What’s Coney Island?” Asher asks from his spot at the table.

“It’s a beach that also has rides for kids and all kinds of junk food and it’s lots of fun,” I say to Asher, watching his eyes grow with excitement.

“Can we go, Mom? Please?” He places his palms together, begging his mom.

“I did this so you would be distracted. I don’t want you sitting here worried about your mom, dad, and Brett,” I say to Maddie.

“That’s what I should be doing.” She frowns.

“It wouldn’t change anything or help the situation.”

“When do we leave?” she asks, looking between me and Asher.

“I told everyone we would meet in under an hour at Times Square. There’s a train we can take directly to Coney Island,” I reply, feeling good about this.

“Okay, Asher, you need a bathing suit,” Maddie says.

Asher runs off.

“I did this just so I could see you in that turquoise bikini again,” I joke.

Maddie swats my chest. “This was nice of you. Asher and I never really had any other families and kids to hang with.”

“He’ll like Liam and Crew and he’s already met Syd,” Kaleb says. “And you’ll like Sky and Rebel. Sky is a good friend of Ellie’s and Rebel is super nice.”

“I’m sure they are,” she says, giving me a warm smile.

“I’ll just have to remember to keep my hands to myself,” I say, raising my brows. We both know that isn’t going to be easy. I’m a handsy guy when she is around. It’s something new I’ve learned about myself.

“Hush,” she warns. “Don’t want Asher to hear you and start asking questions.”

“Sorry.” I wince.

“We are old friends, period.” I grin.

“Of course that’s all we are.” She rolls her eyes playfully.

“Now go get ready.” I smack her ass and she yelps. She leaves to her room to get ready and I call out. “I’m making coffee to go.”

She walks away with a sway in her ass, and me, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

Madison

I slip on the same turquoise bikini I wore when I swam with Asher in the apartment pool, figuring I want to keep my new swimsuit for Florida. My life has changed so drastically since I arrived to the city, I can’t believe things could be this good. When I was little, my mom used to say when one door closed another opened, and that has really been the case for the first time in my life. Things are going my way. I’m making friends and so is Asher. They are good people who won’t stab us in the back the way they did back in Jersey.

I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth and my hair. I get dressed in a pair of jean shorts and I grab a yellow T-shirt. I prepare a bag with some towels and a beach blanket. With my stuff ready, I head to the kitchen.

“I didn’t know how you take your coffee,” Kaleb says.

“One sugar and some cream would be great,” I reply. I look in the fridge for some snacks to take with us, just in case Asher wants something on the train.

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