Page 26 of False Play
Though I knew he didn’t mean anything by it. My best friend was a natural flirt when it came to women, and the guy couldn’t take anything seriously, even if his life depended on it. As hockey players, we weren’t strangers to random hookups, but Hayes was on another level. The guy adored being on the road and enjoyed that life too much to ever be the relationship type.
Kennedy hugged him back awkwardly. Knowing she didn’t pay any of the guys any attention gave me a sick sense of satisfaction. IfonlyI could successfully find a way for her to give me attention, it would have been even better. But beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“How are you settling in?” he asked.
“Good. I fell asleep longer than I planned. The bed is so comfortable.” She laughed.
It better be, I thought.
When I knew Kennedy waspossiblymoving in, I bought everything I could think of. I hadn’t set up a guest bedroom because when my family visited, which was rare, they always stayed at hotels. I wanted Kennedy to feel welcomed and comfortable. The room was minimalistic enough; I didn’twant to decorate it in case she wanted to give it her own touch.
Hayes frowned. “Bed? But I thought the room was?—”
I interrupted him, not wanting to be thrown under the bus. “What are you doing here?”
He dropped onto the couch. “I’m bored,” he whined. “Wanna go work out?”
“We literally worked out this morning,” I deadpanned. “Will you ever learn how to sit still?”
I didn’t know why I asked. I knew the answer already. Wesley Hayes was the epitome of a high-energy dog. The man couldn’t sit still, even if his life depended on it.
He grabbed Captain Sushi and hugged him. “Fine. Then I’ll stay here and hang out with my favorite nephew. Isn’t he the cutest, Kenny?”
She nodded with a soft smile. “He is.”
“Too bad he has this one”—Hayes pointed at me with his thumb—“as a cat daddy.”
Her eyes bulged. “Did you just saycat daddy?”
Hayes laughed. “Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“What do you think, Henry? Do you think you’re acat daddy?” Kennedy asked with that raspy and sweet voice of hers.
The worddaddyrolling off her lips went straight to my dick, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek before I asked, “Can you please call me daddy again?” or something else completely inappropriate.
“Do you guys think cats are a babe magnet? Should I get one?” Hayes scrubbed his jaw, pondering.
“Why do you need a babe magnet?” Kennedy asked as she dropped herself on the couch. Captain Sushi was quick to get off Hayes’s lap to get on hers. “You’re a hockey player. I think that’senough.”
“Into hockey players, are you, Jonesy?” I raised an eyebrow.
I wanted her to say yes. Moreover, I wanted it to be me.Calling pathetic, party of one.
Yup…that’s me.
She scratched her nose with her middle finger to flip me off. “In your dreams, pretty boy.”
“With the way you keep calling me pretty, I’m inclined to believe you only likeonehockey player.” I smirked.
“How does it feel to be so full of yourself?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
“Pretty good, thanks for asking.” I smirked.
“Can we get back to me, please?” Hayes asked, looking at her. “Where did we land on the cat? Should I get one? Maybe I can also get a hot roommate like you.”
“Hayes,” I warned. “Watch. It.”
Kennedy glared at me. “Relax,macho man. I can handle myself.”
