Page 71 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

The tension I’ve been carrying over the last decade seems to have fallen off me like leaves from a tree in autumn. Effortlessly. So much so that I don’t even have an overwhelming urge to smack the smug look off Wallace’s face.

“Good game,” I say, slapping him on the shoulder. The wary look in his eye makes me chuckle, and I must admit that I’m as surprised as he is.

“I’m not sure I like this version of you,” he says, eyes narrowing, a skeptical look on his face. “It’s freaking me out.”

I scowl at him. “Better?”

“Much.” Shaking my head, I laugh and walk over to my locker.

As good as I feel right now, not just from the win, but the new connection with my teammates, I know there’s something even better waiting for me.

Humming, I make my way to the shower. And leave a long line of very confused teammates behind me.

Runningmyhandthroughmy damp hair, my duffle over my shoulder, I push through the locker room doors. Once out, I scan the area for Ava. When my eyes land on her with David and Scarlett, I feel my lips push up.

“Uncle Dunky!” Scarlett yells out, to the amusement of everyone within hearing distance and my complete embarrassment. Heat creeps up my neck and I narrow my eyes at her, but I can’t stop the grin from breaking out as I lift her and kiss her on the cheek. “You played better than I’ve ever seen before. It was awesome!”

“Thank you.” Making my way to David and Ava, I nuzzle my chin in her neck. She starts squealing as I hit a tickle spot.

“I have a secret…” Scarlett screams out, pulling her shoulders up to her ears to protect the sensitive areas of her neck. “Do you want to know what it is?”

“You know I love your secrets,” I say, as I pin Ava with my gaze, my lips tugging up at the corners. She’s impossibly beautiful and my heart is nearly bursting in my chest.

Scarlett covers her mouth with her hands and gets close to my ear. She whispers exactly what Ava mouthed to me, my body buzzes and I feel like the entire world is mine.

“Is that so?” I ask Scarlett, who nods resolutely. “Well then I guess I’ll need to talk with her.”

“Scarlett, let’s head home so your aunt and uncle can talk privately.” David sticks his hand out to his daughter and encourages her to come over to him. When I try to put her down, she squeezes me tighter.

“Do all these people get to stay?” Scarlett asks, pouting, as I attempt to lower her again. “Why do they get to stay?”

“Scarlett Ava James! Get over her now,” David says sternly. Pressing my lips together, I glance at Ava and see her covering her mouth. When her eyes skate to mine I feel my chest rumble. “You can talk to them both later. But right now we are going home.”

Scarlett clings to my neck harder, determined not to miss out on the upcoming exchange. “Red, do what your dad says.”

Scrunching her face, she puts her feet on the floor, crosses her arms, and stomps over to David, all of us working not to laugh at the dramatics. He puts his hand out but she pushes it away. Looking over his shoulder, eyes dancing, he throws out. “Great game Duncan. I’ll see the two of you later.”

He whispers something in Scarlett’s ear and she yells “Yes!” Then grabs David’s hand and turns to the two of us. “Bye!”

“See you later.”

Taking the few steps it takes to close the gap between me and Ava, I drop the duffle on the floor. When I stand back up, I find her watching me, her eyes shining. My eyes drift slowly over her face and she places her hands on my chest. The warmth of them slips right into my heart.

“Duncan—”

“Wait,” I place my hand over the one resting on my chest. “I need to get this out first.”

She nods and her eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t discern.

Glancing away, I take a deep breath and then bring my gaze back to hers. “Ava,” I say softly. “You deserve someone so much better than me.”

Her eyes widen and the corner of her lips drop before she meets my gaze. I recognize the moment she realizes what I’m doing, and she rips her hand out from under mine and slaps me lightly.

“Duncan James, that’s not funny—”

“It’s a little funny.” I smirk. Cupping her cheeks I pull her lips to mine and stop the flow of words from falling. Letting out a sigh, Ava rests her hands on my forearms and leans in to the kiss. Her lips are soft and supple under mine, making my heart race. I slowly pull away, and lean my forehead against hers.

Scrunching my face, I chuckle. “You know I couldn’t let that pass, right?”

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