Page 307 of Branded

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“Too much?” Walker asked with an innocent expression.

“Way too fucking much,” Smitty said. “And coming from me, you know that’s true.”

“Girthy is a totally reasonable description for a picker.”

Christ. I needed out of this conversation.

As thus, I sped through the rest of getting dressed, ignoring the comments and conversation flowing around me, not acknowledging any of the parts that had to do with me. No way was I getting drawn in to that. I wanted to focus on the game. I needed to show Jules…

Hell, I needed to show off for Jules and Ethan.

Hello ego.

But it was the truth, and I wasn’t going to shy away from it, wasn’t going to shy away from any of it.

I shrugged into my jersey, shoved my arms through the sleeves, yanked my head through the opening, taking the opportunity to glare at my teammates. “I’m bringing Ethan down after the game, so make sure you fuckers stay around to sign stuff for him.”

“Whatever you say, boss,” Smitty said, saluting.

Fuckers.

“And play some decent fucking hockey tonight, yeah?”

“Want us to set you up for a goal too, grumpy?” Raph called. “Make you look good for your giiirrrl?”

Yeah. That’d be fucking nice.

Not that I was going to admit that.

No need to give them any further ammunition.

“Fuck you guys.”

“Ah, no need for that,” Smitty hollered. “You know we’d make love to you.”

I shoved my helmet onto my head.

“He means we love you,” Theo said.

“You mean you love seeing me be tortured by a woman,” I grumbled.

“Well, yeah,” Theo said, grinning as he snagged his own jersey. “That’s the best part.”

The annoying bastard.

And because of that, I made a mental note to do some digging into my friend and the sports blogger. Turnabout was fair play.

“Good luck with Jules,” Marcel said lightly, though my quiet friend was smirking just as widely as the rest of them.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Yup.” Smitty waggled his fingers. “Good luuuck!”

“Like you’re not going to be laughing your ass off the entire time.”

“Oh, I will.” A beat. “But I’ll still have your back throughout the entire wooing process.”

Wooing process.

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