Page 14 of Hard to Break

“Time to get back to work.” Chloe rises and drinks the rest of her water in a long gulp. “Not every team gets a player in the all-star game.”

My eyes shut as disappointment floods me.

Miles isn’t going. All this work was for nothing.

I hear a ping and blink. The empty water bottle hits the bottom of the recycling bin without bouncing off the sides.

Chloe’s squared up toward the bin. She lowers her hands slowly, gaze still fixed on the makeshift basket as her lips curve with satisfaction.

“Some teams get two.”

MILES

“You’re makingmecoffee this morning?” I pad into the kitchen in sweats and a hoodie, my hair still wet from the shower.

“Can’t let you steal all the glory.” Brooke holds out a mug then goes to make one for herself.

I lean against the counter and take an appreciative sip.

This morning, she got dressed before me, in jeans that hug her curves and a soft cream-colored sweater. Her face is fresh, her bronze skin glowing with a hint of makeup that makes her eyes look even bigger and her lips fuller.

“This is really better than joining me in the shower?” I say, my voice full of doubt as I remember the offer she turned down.

“Needed the caffeine stimulation.”

“The shower would’ve been plenty stimulating.” I set down the mug and step closer.

She has this habit of pulling her hair back in a curly ponytail before she gets ready in the morning, but today, it’s already smooth.

It’s a tipoff.

Brooke never gets ready without a purpose, and now, I’m using every ounce of my brain to try and figure out what it was today.

“Mmm. As tempting as the offer was, it would’ve made us late,” she murmurs.

“Fuck the calendar. You can’t be late for life, Princess.” I pull her against me, my lips brushing along her jawline.

Right now, Brooke’s the best part of mine.

“You weren’t always this sappy,” she accuses.

If she only knew what’s going through my head right now.

“Sweet,” I correct. “I just hide it in front of the guys.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. But don’t go spouting poetry on the way to the grocery store.”

“I’ll save the iambic pentameter for dinners out.” I grin, and she can’t resist either.

Just like I can’t resist kissing her again.

She’s been distracted the past day. Probably since our disagreement over apologizing to Kevin.

I hate it when we’re not on the same page.

She rests her hands on my chest before pushing me back. “Focus,” she commands.

I groan, because her telling me what to do is one of the things that turns me on most about her.

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