Page 28 of Playing for Keeps

Poppy acts like nothing just happened and we’re still having the same conversation. “I think we need more time to plan the wedding.”

“Won’t this wedding be another Hee-Haw affair like your other two?” Justice asks her younger sister.

“West and Tuesday both enjoyed their weddings at the homestead. You’re right, elder sister. Thanks for the assist.”

“No,” Duke says, remembering how to speak.

His gruff tone sets off the men around me except for Val who still has my hand trapped against his chest. I try to tug free, but he only shakes his head.

“Quiet, hot stuff,” he murmurs, holding my gaze. “The menfolk are speaking.”

When I move to shove him, Poppy steps in the way.

“Don’t hassle my son.”

“It’s foreplay, Ma,” Val whines in her ear as he winks at me. “She’s just a rough lover.”

Duke frowns at me before gently dragging my ass behind him. “We aren’t having the wedding here. We’ll do it in a hotel ballroom or something.”

“What’s wrong with our homestead?” Emmett demands. “Not good enough for you Basin Rock royalty?”

“We haven’t solidified our alliance yet,” Duke replies, hiding his temper so he’ll sound like the reasonable one. “Why are we doing everything in your territory?”

Court grunts. “Fine. We’ll have the wedding at the Holiday Inn.”

“Fancy,” Alexis whispers to Oana in a voice that isn’t particularly quiet. “I popped my cherry in a hotel.”

“Me, too.”

“I lost mine behind the police station,” Tuesday announces, still on the ground from earlier. “It was magical.”

“Everyone shut up,” Emmett bitches. “I don’t know about this. Why is Val getting stuck with Duke’s troublemaking daughter?”

Duke forgets to hide his temper and asks, “Are you really pointing fingers when your daughter just announced where she lost her virginity?”

“She’s lying. I’ve heard a dozen versions of that story.”

We all look at Tuesday who has convinced Bullet to sit in the grass with her. She notices our gazes on her and smiles.

“I volunteer to go dress shopping with Lola and Clover.”

My sister balks. “Why do I have to go?”

“You’ll need a frilly bridesmaid dress,” Tuesday says, and Clover turns her horrified gaze to me. “Something with ruffles and lace.”

“She’s just talking. Don’t take it personally,” Val says before I can reassure my sister. “We don’t want this thing to be too fancy. I’m not looking to shave my balls here, okay?”

“Be quiet, son,” Emmett mutters.

“No, seriously, fancy pants are always too tight on me. I’ll need to shave my balls to make room.”

“Just get bigger pants,” West grumbles at his little brother.

Val reaches over to shove West. “Baggy pants will hide my fine ass.”

Duke glances back at me. His gaze asks if we should forget the whole thing. I instantly shake my head.

After all, no matter how annoying Val’s family can be, I like how they aren’t stuck up. Besides, I’m looking forward to seeing whether Val shaves his balls.

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