Page 39 of Perfectly Grumpy

Brax

You owe Lauren. She met with the commissioner’s wife and smoothed it all over. Gave a donation to her charity.

Tate

So why am I riding motorcycles and cuddling puppies?

Brax

Because she went to war for you. Might be time to return the favor.

Rourke

For the love of hockey, do NOT bring your Gandalf costume.

Tate

I’m tempted to block all of you.

Leo

Too late. Already screen-shotted this whole thread for future blackmail.

FIFTEEN

lauren

As I pull into the gravel lot of the Bear Creek Lodge, I put my car in park and check my phone one last time for any lingering PR disasters. Nothing urgent. No viral photos. No panicked emails from the boss. Just a blissfully quiet inbox.

The players already said their goodbyes, and for the first time in months, I’m officially off duty. A whole week with no media fires to put out.

Just me, the forest, and my wildly unpredictable family. Let the mayhem begin.

Before I can even get out of the car, a message from Tate pops up.

Tate

If you still need someone to attend that reunion, the offer stands. Might solve your Bart problem.

Me

I’ll handle Bart just fine. Enjoy your week at the cabin working on…what exactly are you working on?

Tate

Something top secret. If I told you, I’d have to distract you with my “assets” again.

Me

Bold of you to assume your “assets” are that powerful.

Okay, so they arethatpowerful. But he doesn’t need to know that.

I hit send and tuck my phone into my purse. Tate told me earlier he is taking Annie with him to socialize her—a blatant excuse to cuddle her more. That dog has officially stamped her tiny paw print on his tightly locked heart and seems to be the only one who can make him smile.

Well, herandme.

But his smiles are mostly just to torment me with those ridiculous dimples. I’m convinced he uses them to make me forget my point. Unfortunately, it’s working.

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