Page 66 of Play It Off

He rises to his feet, towering over me. “Great idea. I’m out, everyone. There’s plenty to drink around here.”

They all groan their disappointment, but Jonesie magically appears, eager to take over Coop’s position.

“Let me make you a drink, Sienna,” Jonesie says, and I’m not about to turn him down. I also appreciate that he let me cut in front of everyone too. Coop keeps chatting Jonesie up, telling him how to handle things while Jonesie makes my drink. When Jonesie’s finished, he hands it to me. “There you go, hottie.”

I laugh, taking the drink from him. “Thank you.” I make a cheers gesture and take a sip, impressed. It’s delicious.

After giving Jonesie a few more instructions, my brother grabs hold of my arm and steers me out of the house and into the backyard. “Okay, you need to spill,” he says the moment we’re alone.

Panic filters through me, leaving me shaky. Taking a deep breath, I ask, “What do you mean?”

If he’s talking about Gavin, I’m going to confess all my sins. Every single one of them.

“I heard some guy was harassing you earlier. Who was it?” Coop’s nostrils actually flare as he glances around the yard. “You better tell me who it was, Sienna. Don’t bother protecting him either.”

“Oh jeez. I can handle it.” I roll my eyes, but Coop swings his furious expression back on me, and I give in. “It was Ryland.”

He frowns. “Who?”

“The guy you saw me with at Hector’s. We went to high school together. He was on the wrestling team with you.”

His frown eases and he nods. “Right. What happened? Did he touch you? I’m gonna fuck that guy up if he so much as laid a hand on you.”

There is no way in hell I’m going to tell Coop that Ryland did touch me. “Well, I sort of ... rejected him when he walked me home after dinner, and he’s not taking it very well.”

I don’t bother telling him about the flowers or what Ryland said to me earlier. It’s none of Coop’s business, and I don’t need to make this worse. I keep my lips shut and watch him, bracing myself for his reaction.

“That little wimp?” He makes a dismissive noise and waves his hand. Everyone is little compared to my brother. “Is he still here? I’m gonna take him out. Remind him he needs to respect women, especially my fucking baby sister.”

“Coop. No.” I shake my head, keeping my tone calm. There is no need to rile him up further. My brother is currently flexing his fingers and curling them into fists, like he has every intention to beat Ryland up. “Don’t worry about it. I can handle him.”

His shoulders visibly relax. “You can?”

“Definitely.” I nod. “But I appreciate your eagerness to fight him.”

“Fight him? It wouldn’t be a fair fight. I’d demolish him with one punch.” He literally blows on his knuckles like they’re what? Weapons? Oh boy.

“Okayyy.” I roll my eyes.

“But if he gives you any more shit, tell me right away. I’ll fuck him up.” Coop’s tone is fierce, and I know he means every word he says, which I love. He’s taking my feelings seriously instead of always running to my defense—with his fists. My brother truly always has my back.

“Thank you.” I give him a hug. “I appreciate you.”

“No prob.” He pulls away, keeping his hands on my arms as his gaze sweeps over my dress. “Damn, sis. You need to cover yourself up.”

I roll my eyes, taking another step backward, and his hands fall away from me. “Give me a break, Coop. You act like I’m five. I can wear what I want.”

“Mom would flip if she saw you in that dress.”

“Mom would probably tell me I look fabulous.” And that’s the truth. My brother is way too overprotective, and he needs to get over himself.

“Hey, guys!”

We both turn to find Everleigh approaching us, a cup in her hand and a big smile on her face. “I thought you were trying to find Nico,” I tell her.

“I just did. He’s right over there.” She indicates with the flick of her head where Nico is standing.

With Gavin.

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