Page 31 of Teasing

Jamie grins like a little bitch. “Sure, she’s not. Might not want to be so focused on whether she’s lying when you’re the one lying to yourself and to me, brother.”

The ass takes the chicken outside to grill, like he didn’t just call me out, and fuck if I don’t hate that he’s right.

MAVERICK

Killian

Lilah has a friend singing in town tomorrow night. She wants to introduce you. We’re all going to Kingdom, and Jamie already told us you’ve got a new nanny, so no using Rosie as an excuse.

Maverick

She’s my kid, not an excuse, jerkoff.

Killian

First - we all love that kid, so don’t act like I meant it that way. Second - come on, man. When was the last time you were out?

Maverick

Your wedding.

Killian

Yeah and Rosie was your date. Lilah’s friend is single and hot. You’re coming.

Maverick

I’ll try.

Killian

Sure you will.

Maverick

Dick.

It doesn’t matter how many years’ experience you’ve got under your belt, training camp sucks. Long, hot days, spent giving 110 percent, hoping it’s good enough to earn your spot, all while watching guys get cut each week, are no joke. Tensions run high for everyone, and my house is no exception.

Jamie may be a league vet, but he was an offseason trade, and he’s fighting for his life right now, trying to earn his spot on the Kings. And fuck if it isn’t turning my normally easygoing friend into a moody bitch.

“Tastes like fucking kale,” he moans as he slams his empty protein shake down on the counter.

“That’s because you put kale in it, shithead.” I pour myself a cup of coffee and hide my grin behind the mug.

He stares at my coffee, unblinking and unmoving. “Why do you always have to be such a dick?”

I shrug and sip my coffee. “Guess we all have a part to play, Murphy.”

Emmie’s humming alerts me to her presence before she walks into the kitchen. We’ve fallen into a routine which seems to be working. And for a guy like me who thrives on routine, I appreciate that almost as I appreciate today’s gauzy white sundress. Today is day five, and I’ve found myself looking forward to this moment each day. The one where I get my first hit of this sexy, fairy goddess as she walks through my door.Her sound and scent are a fresh breath of sunshine, even if her beauty makes it hard to breathe.

Of course, I don’t tell her that.

I just push a cup of coffee her way and grumble a good morning.

“Morning, Maverick.” Her dazzling smile stretches across her pretty face before she sniffs the coffee and sighs. “Oh my gosh, is this caramel?”

“Rosie mentioned you like it.” I’m not willing to admit I grabbed it from the market yesterday because I heard her tell Jamie it was her favorite.

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