Page 26 of Triple Pucked

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My expression gentles. “Two.”

“At least a three then.” D’Angelo strolls across the room, placing the core of the apple down on the tray. Then he slides open the nightstand and takes out a bottle of meds. “Do you want one?”

I shake my head. “I don’t need it.”

I do.

I pushed myself too hard, when I was helping D’Angelo to prepare the mansion and make sure that it was ready in time. Then I strained every muscle in the effort to surprise Robyn and my brother yesterday.

It was worth it.

I set my jaw, expecting D’Angelo to challenge me. Instead, he simply sets the bottle on the tray.

“Talk to Code,” he says. “Take them, if you need them. Your health matters.Youmatter.”

Why are my eyes burning?

I turn my head, giving a curt nod.

Suddenly, the bathroom door bursts open, and Shay explodes into the room in a fog of steam.

His golden hair is damp, falling over his eyes.

He’s naked and wet.

Of course he is.

“Towel,” I growl.

Shay grins, stepping further into the room and dripping puddles of water onto the floor. “I’m air drying.”

“It’s January.”

“I’m in a rush.” Shay bounds to me, vibrating with an excitement that makes my expression soften. “The taps aregold, Dee. The shower is like a waterfall. Do you want to try it? This place is…”

He trails off like he doesn’t even have a word for it.

He’s overwhelmed.

I knew that he would be. He didn’t sleep at all last night. I woke up in the early hours and saw him pacing the room and trying to beat Cody’s score on Candy Crush.

I glance at the handcuffs, which are attached to the headboard.

Has D’Angelo put them there to help if Shay’s insomnia becomes worse?

Shay takes a wary step back from me. “What are you planning, bro?”

I give him an even stare but don’t answer.

D’Angelo simply pats his thigh in invitation.

Shay hurls himself onto D’Angelo’s lap with enough force to almost knock D’Angelo sprawling back onto the bed.

D’Angelo wraps his arms around Shay. “Are you trying to dry yourself on me?”

Robyn grins. “You’re lucky that the puppy isn’t shaking himself and…”

That’s a mistake.

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