Page 68 of Dirty Player

And they do.

That’s why very few can do it and instead enjoy watching those of us at the top of our game.

As I step into Jacob and Lilly’s stunning chef’s kitchen, my mind drifts to Kaylee. We haven’t spoken since Wednesday, and I miss her. Not for the first time this weekend. I’ve imagined hersitting at the table with us, walking along the beach, chatting with the girls.

They’d love her.

I know they fucking would.

I just couldn’t ever bring her home. Atlas and Knox would rip me to pieces and tell me to get my head read.

Dad walks in with his phone to his ear and freezes when he sees me.

I lift my brows.

An odd reaction from him.

“When I get home, I’ll give you a call,” he says, turning away and walking back the way he came in. “Yes. I would. Very much.”

The fuck?

Any man over the age of fifteen knows the tone he’s using. He’s talking to a woman.

I stand still, trying to listen when Knox walks in.

“The pie isn’t going to cut itself.” He nudges my shoulder.

I turn to face him. “When did Dad start dating?”

“Since fucking never.” Knox glances over my shoulder in the direction Dad just left and looks as happy as I do about it.

Mom might have died almost three years ago, but I’m not sure I’m ready to see him with anyone else. I’d put money on Bella, Knox, and Atlas feeling the same way.

It’s written all over my big brother’s face right now.

My phone beeps in my pocket and I tug it out, my heartbeat speeding up, thinking it’s Kaylee.

Kyler.

I can feel my face falling in disappointment. Which is totally unfair to my best friend.

Happy Thanksgiving dude. Are you drunk yet?

I type a reply.

Can’t. Professional athlete now. Way too sensible.

Liar. You’re still eating all the pie, aren’t you?

I snort, take a photo of said pie and send it to him.

Kyler replies with a laughing emoji.

Knox has disappeared and I lean my hip on the counter, sliding a hand into my pocket and thinking about how we just reacted to hearing Dad on the phone to a woman.

Do we really have a say?

They’ve all been clear about what they think of Kaylee. Understandable, given the circumstances when we were together. And how I was impacted.

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