Page 67 of Dirty Player

I LEAN BACK in my seat and run a hand over my stomach. We’re having Thanksgiving lunch at Lily and Jacob’s mansion in the Hamptons and I’ve eaten way too much.

“Do you ever get fat?” Lily asks me, bouncing her kid on her knee.

I bark out a laugh and start coughing.

“That’s what I want to know.” Molly watches me carefully, as if I know witchcraft or something.

“He’s an athlete,” Payton says. “That’s how. Personally, before I was pregnant, I was happy with my one-hour gym workouts six days a week.”

“Five,” Knox states, and Payton glares at him. Then because my brother is suicidal, he adds, “For forty-five minutes. And it’s down the hall from our bedroom.”

Definitely suicidal.

I rub my jaw and glance at Atlas, who’s shaking his head at the idiot.

“Whatever, my point is”—Payton pokes her tongue out, and Molly giggles—“Levi can’t just eat whatever he wants.”

I can.

“I can.” I say out loud because I can’t help myself and winding up my sister-in-law is a fun sport all on its own. “Speaking of which, I might have another slice of pumpkin pie.”

Knox, who is finally out of his Tom Ford suit and wearing a similar outfit to all of us—casual designer pants, a Prada shirt, and dark sweater—laughs and leans over to kiss his wife.

“Sorry honey.”

“Ugh.” Payton shoots me a jealous glance and I laugh.

“How? That’s not fair.” Molly rubs her swollen tummy.

“Science,” I reply because I am not getting into the whole thing with them.

“DNA.” Atlas shrugs.

“Lies. You’ve got quite a belly coming along since Molly has been cooking for you.” Blake leans back in his chair from across the table.

“The fuck I have!” Atlas leans back, glancing down his body.

Molly snickers.

Blake is Jacob’s brother and my brother-in-law. Basically, Blake married Bella, my sister. Who is busy with her toddler in the next room.

I slide my chair back and stand. “You can all fight this out while I get another slice of pie.”

The truth is, my body will burn these calories a million times faster than theirs, as I’m a professional athlete. I’ve built it that way. But I’ll also be at the training center for the rest of the weekend while they’re relaxing.

“Fine. I’ll have another slice too,” Payton says, and when I glance at her, we both start laughing.

“Maybe I should become an athlete then.” I hear Lilly say as I walk across the large room toward the kitchen.

“You will not,” Jacob replies. “I love you just the way you are. All your curves.”

“I don’t have curves!”

“Jesus, do none of the men in this family have a clue?” Atlas groans as I chuckle.

I walk around the corner wondering if they have any clue how much hard work, tenacity, and mindset go into doing what we do.

Most people would give up after a week. Hell, a few hours.

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