Page 24 of Power Play

“So what? We can stop at some café, no big deal.”

“Thompson—”

“I’m on my way,” he interrupts me nonchalantly. “Oh, and I’m with Meghan.”

The line goes quiet, but I continue to stare at the screen, expecting Colton to say something else. What the hell is goingon? After making the bed, I go to wash my face and brush my teeth, then proceed to my walk-in closet and quickly put on a white tee and gray shorts. As I’m going down the stairs, I hear a knock on the door.

It definitely hasn’t been fifteen minutes.

Opening the front door, I come face-to-face with a smiling Colt. His daughter is in his arms; her little pacifier moves relentlessly as she studies me. Chuckling, I step aside and let them in. Once I close the door, I turn around and walk up to my guests, focusing my attention on Meghan and ignoring her father.

“Hey, angel. How have you been?” I extend my index finger to her, and she takes it, wrapping her little fist around it. “I hope you had a great night’s sleep after spending the day surrounded by strangers.”

“She’s already used to everyone, except you.”

“Meghan, baby, do you know why your dad is talking to me when I’m talking to you?” I ask, trying to keep my face straight. She smiles, and her pacifier pops out of her mouth. Before it lands on the floor, Colton catches it. “Well, at least he has good reflexes,” I say and look up at Colt. “I’m impressed.”

He rolls his eyes. “As if I could be a good player without having good reflexes.”

“What makes a good player is very subjective. Don’t you think?”

There’s a bit of silence, then Colton looks me up and down and strolls to the door. “We will be in the car.” With that, the front door opens, and he walks out of the house.

Nothing has changed. He’s still as short-tempered as he was when we were ten.

I slip my cell into my shorts pocket, check the keys, and strut outside, closing the door behind me. To my surprise, Colt isn’t in the car—he’s not even alone. Dylan is with him, gushing overMeghan. Strolling down my porch steps, I come closer and stop beside Colton.

“Hey.”

Dylan straightens and meets my gaze. “Hey, Clay. I saw your friend and couldn’t stop myself from saying hi. This little girl is so precious.”

“Yeah, she is.” I nod, coasting my gaze over my neighbor. Her hair cascades down her bare shoulders, covering her cleavage a little bit. The dress she’s wearing today has tiny straps and a deep neckline, leaving very little to the imagination, just like the length of its skirt, which ends way above her knees. “Going to a party?”

“What?” She blinks, then glances down at her clothes and starts laughing. “I came from the party. I’m going home.”

“Oh.” And now I feel old and unrelatable. “Well, get some rest then.”

“And you three have some fun.” Dylan smiles. “It was nice to meet you, Colton. And Meghan. Bye, Clay.” Turning around, she shimmies to her house, her high heels clicking as she starts climbing up the stairs.

“Ready to go?” Colton asks. “Or do you want to stay a little longer and enjoy the show your neighbor is putting on for you?”

I shake my head and grab the door handle of his car. “Maybe it’s for you.”

“I’m a married man with a little daughter glued to my hip. It was definitely not for me,” he says, opening the back seat door, and puts Meghan into her car seat. After he makes sure Meghan is comfortable, he rounds the car, climbs into the driver’s seat, and starts the car. “What do you think about this Dylan girl?”

“She’s my neighbor.”

“Just a neighbor? I think she’s interested in getting to know you better.”

“I’m not interested,” I deadpan.

Colton studies me with an eyebrow arched, then shrugs. “Okay. So do you want to have breakfast? Or we can go for a walk?”

“Breakfast would be really appreciated. Thanks.”

“Gotcha.” He winks at me and focuses on the road.

Today is going to be a very long day.

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