Page 5 of Anti Player

I walk over to him. “Thanks so much for meeting me down here,” I say to him. “I’m Maddie, by the way, and this is my son, Asher.”

“Nice to meet you both. I’m Sheridan,” he says. “I can help you unload the car.”

“Thanks, but I can handle it on my own.,” I assure. “I packed it up.”

“It’s not a problem, ma’am. I don’t mind helping. I’m a big fan of your brother,” he insists.

“Thanks, Sheridan.” I smile. He looks to be in his mid-forties and is very kind.

He helps me unload my van and we take the elevator up to Brett’s apartment.

“Oh, I forgot to ask my brother what apartment Kaleb lives in,” I mutter to myself, taking my cell out of the back pocket of my jeans.

“Kaleb Bardot?”

I nod.

“He shares the floor with Brett,” he explains.

“Sweet.”

Sheridan helps us off the elevator. “Here you go. You can bring the dolly down when you’re done. Just leave it by the security desk on the main floor.”

“Thanks so much for your help,” I say.

“My pleasure.” He waves as he waits for the elevator.

I fix my hair as much as possible. Kaleb was friends with my older brother, Henry, when we were growing up. He also lived next door. I know he’s still in touch with Henry, and he and Brett are attached at the hip. I had the biggest crush on Kaleb when we were growing up, but he never looked my way. I was his friend’s little sister. He was just as protective of me as my brothers were.

I take a deep breath and while I inhale, I realize I smell like old piss. Shit. I wish I could change into different clothes, but I’m not going to strip in the hallway.

“Mommy, I need to pee,” Asher says.

“How is that possible? You just peed.”

“I drank that red drink you got me. I need to pee, Mommy,” Asher complains.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt.”

I walk up to the door and knock. I can’t exactly have Asher pee in one of the potted plants in the hall. Besides, there are probably cameras.

The door swings open and I am met with all the male glory that is Kaleb Bardot. Tall with muscles that go on for days. The best hair, brown and straight, and it’s gotten longer since I saw him last. His chocolate brown eyes zero in on me. “Mad Pie,” he says opening his arms wide.

“There is no Mad Pie, just Maddie.” I step in and give him a hug.

He hugs me back and I feel his muscles tense around me. His body is glorious. He’s so big and strong and so damn handsome. That facial structure should be illegal.

He scrunches his nose and I remember I have piss on me.

“Shit.” I pull back.

His eyebrows hit his forehead and he looks at me like I am a loose cannon.

“Sorry, I forgot Asher peed on me on the freeway,” I explain.

His eyes roam over my body and he gives me a meaningful look. I think he is trying to gauge if I am being serious.

“Mommy,” Asher whispers.

---