Page 10 of Teasing

As if this broody baller needed to get any hotter, I’m pretty sure he just called her little rose in Italian. Am I allowed to hate someone and also wish they’d screw me senseless? Asking for a friend, of course.

“But Daddy...” this sweet little girl whines, punctuated by a wide-mouthed yawn, which doesn’t help her case one little bit.

“Kiss your uncles,” he tells her as he stands, waiting.

She spins on her knees to face me. “Good night, Emmie.”

“Good night, sweet girl.” Before I can process what’s happening, Rosie throws her arms around my shoulders and hugs me tightly, catching me completely off guard. I look to her father to gauge his reaction, but I can’t. His face is unreadable, with a clenched jaw and a tight line to his eyes. But he doesn’t look away. So I wrap my arms around her and close my eyes, almost scared to let myself hug this little girl.

When she pulls away, I quickly turn my head and wipe my eyes, not wanting them to see how much a simple hug affected me.

They wouldn’t understand.

How could they?

I’ve watched the easy way this family communicates... with words and sign and touch. I’ve learned that Maverick and Ryker are brothers, but Jamie and Maverick grew up like brothers. Their dads are best friends. I’ve listened to the way they talk to each other and about their other friends. They’re close. They’re family in all the ways that matter. In all the ways I’m missing. And they love Briar Rose.

I doubt they’ve ever gone months without being hugged.

And I hope to God Rosie never needs to know what that’s like.

I watch quietly as Maverick carries Rosie into the house, with her faithful sidekick, Butters, meandering behind them, and smother a quiet laugh. “That dog doesn’t leave her side, does she?”

I don’t think about it as the words fall from my lips and immediately feel bad.“Sorry, Ryker,”I say and sign.

“Don’t. I’m good,”he tells me and points to his ears.“I lost my hearing right before high school. But I’m lucky. It’s not completely gone, and the hearing aids help. But I also got really good at reading lips. The guys sign and speak because it is easier, but not everyone knows ASL, and that is okay.”He smiles a beautiful smile, and it’s funny to see the difference between him and Maverick.

“Are you sure you two are brothers?”I ask, and Jamie laughs while Ryker shrugs.

“He’s not a bad guy,” Ryker tells me without signing, and I relax some, grateful that I didn’t offend him.“He just does not trust easily. Give him time. Once you get to know him, he is a big softie.”

“Ha.” Jamie sits down next to me on the couch and throws his arm behind me, resting it on the back of the cushion like an eighth grader trying to get lucky at the movie theater.“Yeah. Soft like a grizzly bear.”

Ryker shrugs again.

“You sure you don’t want a drink, Em?” Jamie tugs a loose strand of my hair, and I shake my head. “Maybe next time.”

He winks, and I laugh. I can’t help it.

“Does that usually work for you?”

This time it’s Ryker who laughs as Jamie kicks his feet up on the table in front of us. “Not gonna lie. It usually does.”

“Well as long as we’re not lying...” I bite down on my lip and manage to hold back my silent laughter.

“Stop groping the neighbor, Murphy,” Maverick barks as he walks back through the door, and I jump. Like, actually jump from the deep boom of his voice.

“It’s fine. I should be going anyway.”I push up to my feet and tug at the skirt of my dress that’s gotten caught around my legs.“I had a really nice time tonight, guys. Thanks for dinner.”

“I’ll walk you home,” Maverick barks again, and I’m so shocked, I don’t even make a bad dog joke. Because seriously, this man barks orders.

Is he kidding?

I look between him and my house. “Thanks, but I think I’ll be okay.”

“I’m walking you home.”

That’s it.

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