Page 20 of Game Changer

She sighs and walks over, lying down on the other side of the bed and looking at her. “She’s everything good in this life.”

Her word choice—this life—is a bit confusing, but she ain’t wrong. Our little flower is everything good in this life.

“You ever think about having another?” I ask, like I do those questions every once in a while to test the waters, which have never gotten beyond room temperature since the night we made Lily.

“No.”

“No?” I half-chuckle. “Just no?”

“I’m so lucky to have had her, but I will never go through that special kind of hell they call birth again.” She shudders. “If you want her to have siblings, you better get to making them.”

“Not sure if you missed that day’s science class, but I’m pretty sure self-pollination doesn’t work for humans.”

“I’m sure you can figure it out.” She pushes up off the bed, but I stop her.

“This is your place, Lindsey.” I curl up and slide out of bed. “I’m gonna head back to my place.” Hart’s place. “Early practice. Don’t forget tomorrow night’s New Year’s Eve, and I wanna spend it with my favorite girls.”

“Boone, I?—”

“Linds, you’re my best friend; she’s our daughter. Promise that’s where I’m at, okay?”

Chapter 4

New Year’s Eve

Sydney

I’m in the kitchen when I hear the bells jingle on the doors. Carrying a tray of dog kibbles, I head out to bag them up and expect to see my cousin here to pick up his pup food, but it’s not Liam. It’s … him, and he’s alone.

Grabbing a handful of dried meats off the tray, he groans, “Oh my God, tell me this is like coco puffs.” He pops it into his mouth.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I say as I hurry to set the tray down, grab a napkin, and hold it out. “Spit.”

His brows rise in shock, clearly a little disturbed by whatever he’s got in his mouth.

“It’s kibbles.”

He still looks confused.

“Dog food.”

He quickly takes the napkin and empties the mouthful into the pink paper. “What?”

“Liam is working on some ideas.” Regardless of how hard I’m trying not to laugh at his expense, a giggle escapes.

“I see that.” He chuckles.

“I’m so sorry,” I call to him as I grab a glass of water and hurry back to him.

“Don’t be sorry. That’s what I get for walking in here and grabbing a handful of your goodies without permission on a day you’re not even open.”

Tingles begin to climb up my spine at the lilt of smolder in his tone, which he only uses when we’re alone. This means I’m not sure if it’s imagined or real …But it really doesn’t matter, does it, Sydney?I scold myself.

“Serves me right for allowing myself to become an addict.” He takes the chocolate cupcake with caramel topping that I offer him.

“Just say no,” I tease as he peels back the paper and shoves the whole thing in his mouth.

“I’ve always been more the just-do-it kind of guy,” he says then moans around the cupcake. “Fuck, these get better every time.”

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