Page 8 of Second Goal

Pax starts barking and running toward the door, and I draw back, trying to catch my breath.

Kiley’s cheeks are flushed, eyes wide as she stares up at me stunned.

I feel the same way.

Like I’ve been ripped apart somehow.

But slowly, my senses return. And along with them, that nagging voice in my head warning me this is wrong.

The knocking continues.

I have to clear my throat for words to come out. “You expecting someone?”

She shakes her head, and I slowly put her down. I can see the confusion in her eyes when I take a step back.

“Blake—”

“You should see who it is,” I say roughly. Fuck. What the hell did I just do?

Without a word, she walks past me. When she answers the door, Tyler Slade stands there, his typical cocky smile stretching across his face. When his eyes trail up and down her body, I’m seconds away from wrapping my fingers around his throat.

He whistles. “Shit, Kiley. Even in sweats, you’re smoking.”

And I remember why I hate living in this damn building.

Since it’s the closest luxury apartment to the arena, half the damn team live here. I thought about moving a couple years back, getting something a little bigger, maybe with a yard for the dogs to run around in. But then Kane set up Kiley across the hall from me. And with guys like Tyler lurking around her, there’s no chance in hell I’m moving anytime soon.

Pax nudges his snout hard between Tyler’s legs, and I smirk when I see him wince.

Good boy.

“Didn’t know you got a dog,” he says, pushing Pax’s head away, his voice higher than it was before.

“What do you want, Slade?” I ask, coming up behind Kiley, resting a hand on the doorframe, my chest against her back. Her whole body quivers at the slight touch.

Tyler jerks his gaze to me, and I see the disappointment in his eyes. “Ah, shit. Didn’t realize you two were a thing—”

“We’re not,” I say, regretting the words the moment they’re out of my mouth, because I feel Kiley flinch against me.

But I don’t need any rumors starting. Or Kane breathing down my neck. Especially when I’m not sure what the hell I’m going to do yet.

“Right.” Tyler rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

“There’s no secret,” I say, a warning in my tone.

“Do you need something, Tyler?” Kiley asks softly.

“Um, yeah...” He rubs the back of his neck before making up a shitty excuse for dropping by. “Wondered if you have any creamer. I ran out.”

“Sure. I think I have some.” Kiley ducks under my arm, heading to the refrigerator.

“There’s an open supermarket one block away.” I glare at the kid, knowing exactly what he was hoping to get by coming here.

He smirks and says low enough that only I can hear, “Yeah. I know. But Kiley’s cream tastes so much better.”

I take a step forward, ready to throttle him, but Kiley is back, and she moves between us handing a now chuckling Tyler the container.

“There’s not much left,” she says.

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