Page 81 of Anti Player

We look into each other’s eyes. “Of course,” he says in a by-the-way tone, but our gazes lock and hold.

Wolfe gets up and starts a soccer match with the kids and then big Liam joins in too. Kaleb follows suit and it’s so nice to see him with the kids. He’s good with all of them, which I already knew from seeing him at the hockey camp. Connor follows suit and Rebel says she’s going to the bathroom. Ellie offers to watchAriella, and Sky joins Rebel to the ladies’ room, which leaves me with Ellie and Rebel’s cute baby.

When the other women are out of earshot, Ellie says, “OMG, Kaleb is totally falling for you.” She smiles to Ariella who is bouncing on her knees.

“No, he isn’t. We have an arrangement. This is just fun. Kaleb isn’t the settling down type. Trust me, I’ve known him a long time.”

“That isn’t the vibe I’m getting from you two,” Ellie pushes as Ariella giggles.

“I know Kaleb well. His family was all messed up when we were growing up. He doesn’t want that life. He’s happy to be single. This is just fun for him,” I assure, squinting against the sun, even with my sunglasses on.

“And what about you?” Ellie asks and her lips are turned down.

“I’m falling for the guy. How could I not?” I say, looking on to the shore where Kaleb is playing soccer with the guys and kids. “Look at him. But I know I have to keep my heart in check. We have an expiration date. When the season starts, we’re done.”

“Is that what Kaleb suggested?” Ellie asks, sounding surprised.

“It was his idea. We were only supposed to be a one-time thing, which has turned into a whole lot more. We are having fun. I was upset over a breakup and Kaleb was dealing with things. This fling made sense. It still makes sense. I’m enjoying myself.”

“But your heart is on the line,” Ellie reminds, and I appreciate her being a good friend.

“It is, but I’m taking that risk because this feels good. Besides, I may be leaving New York if I get the scholarship for the culinary school in Texas. It’s a long shot but my luck seems to have turned around. I’m hoping the streak continues.”

“When do you find out if you made it in?” she asks.

“In the next couple of weeks. Unless I didn’t make it in anywhere, but I don’t have a plan for that. Something has to come through,” I say.

Rebel and Sky return, and we all head over to the shore. We dip our toes in the water when Kaleb starts a water fight. All of us get in on the action and we all end up wet. I’ve never had an experience like this before. Growing up, my family wasn’t typical. Dad was always abandoning us. Mom always had to work which meant she wasn’t around for us.. She didn’t have many friends. We sure didn’t take day trips to the beach with other families. This feels so good.

After our water fight, we head back to the sand to dry off in the sun. Asher comes to lie down beside me. Kaleb sits on my other side.

“Thanks for bringing us here today. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve never done anything like this before with other families, it feels special.”

“I’m glad you’re having a good time and I know what you mean. Our parents weren’t taking kids to beaches or having fun days on rides,” he says with a crooked grin.

“They sure didn’t,” I say.

I take in his glistening skin and his rippled abs. He’s more than his looks, Kaleb is a good man.

“Do you want to go on some rides? I saw they had some smaller rides that would be good for Asher,” he suggests.

My son cracks his eyes open. “Rides?” He sits up. “I want to go on rides.”

From there it’s a domino effect of all the kids cheering they want to go on rides.

We all pack up our belongings and put on clothes over our bathing suits and we head over to the amusement park area.

The kids go on some kiddie rides together and the adults wait along the fence, waving and watching. Kaleb goes to get some cold drinks with Connor, and I am left standing between Ellie and Skylar.

“There’s something going on between you two, isn’t there?” Skylar asks.

My eyes turn wide.

“Oh no, I shouldn’t have said anything,” Skylar says with a deer in the headlights look.

“It’s fine. We aren’t together. We’re just having fun. Please don’t tell my brother though. If he finds out, he’ll want to wring Kaleb’s neck and it’s a nice neck.”

Skylar laughs. “My lips are sealed, but why is it just fun? You guys look close.”

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