Page 71 of Teasing

“You like wine, and I don’t bust your balls.”

I follow him into the living room and watch as he cracks the wax on a fifty-year-old bottle of bourbon. Damn... He pours two glasses, then hands me one and holds his up in front of me, admiring it. “To the women who drive us crazy.”

I tap my glass to his and picture Emmie.

Her and those sundresses.

The glitter all over my house.

The key under her porch swing.

The white fucking yoga shorts.

The way she smiles at my daughter.

The camera that’s always in her hands.

The way she sounds when she comes.

“Damn, kid. You’ve got it bad.” He puts his empty glass back on the bar and takes mine out of my hand. “It’s a good look on you.” He swallows my bourbon and adds the glass to the bar. “So, you want to tell me why you’re here, if it’s not to talk about the woman who put that look on your face?”

“I’m thinking about letting Rosie come to a game.” I can’t fucking believe I’m thinking about it, but I am.

“Took you long enough.”

I look at the pictures lining the shelves and know he’s right.

Years of family photos that involve my team. Memories revolving around football.

She’s already a King.

I guess it’s time I show her what it means.

EMMIE

I always set two alarms. One for the person I think I am, and one for the person who doesn’t live in denial.

—Emmie’s Secret Thoughts

Itoss another hanger to the bed, grab my phone, and slide my thumb over Vivi’s contact.

It goes right to voicemail.

Of course it does.

“What the heck am I supposed to wear to a party when the biggest pop star in the world is going to be there?” I pad back into my closet and stare at my options, each one seeming worse than the last. “Seriously?” I picture Lilah Ryan. Beautiful, blonde, loved by everyone Lilah Ryan. Now Lilah Ryan-St. James. I guess I hadn’t put it together when she married Killian St. James that she was becoming part of the Kingston family too. I mean the whole world knew about their wedding. Every magazine imaginable covered it. Of course this is one ofMaverick’s closest friends. I mean, why the heck wouldn’t she be? It’s not like I’m intimidated or anything. I’ve barely left Sugar Hill, and she’s traveled the entire world, performing in front of millions of people. “What am I even supposed to say to her? Hi, I’m Emmie. You know... the girl your best friend is banging with his monster cock?”

Shoot. Guess that was one way to announce my new relationship.

Is it actually a relationship?

It is, isn’t it?

It’s not like he’s going to ask me to be his girlfriend.

Does sex equal a relationship?

Pretty sure it doesn’t. But neither of us does casual. Not that there was anything casual about what we did. What we said... My blood warms, and my cheeks flush. Nope. Definitely not casual.

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