Page 49 of My Brother's Teammates

Axel moved over to take the place Ryder had just left between my legs and he lazily took my mouth in a deep kiss that felt a lot like the beginning of something. When he pulled back, he looked pained. “I shouldn’t have done that to myself. I have to leave here in five minutes.”

I looked him over. “You’re not dressed.”

He shrugged. “I can change that in seconds. Hey, I got a text from my mom this morning. Are you two hanging out on Friday night?”

Hudson snorted. “This is why you don’t have a nice family. Suddenly they’re hanging out with your girlf-…”

The silence that fell over the small kitchen was awkward enough to make me want to crawl through the coffee and glass to get out of there. Deciding that rushing past that awkwardness, I just started talking. “Your mom invited me to the game with them and I said yes. She wants to meet for dinner before the game and give me a new outfit Gran made me. I’m just hoping it’s not as risque as the idea she pitched to me last time. She suggested I wear pompoms and nothing else.

“I told her I didn’t think that was a good idea, you know, because of public indecency laws. She called me a baby and said she would’ve done it in a heartbeat back when her ass didn’t touch her knees.” I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped the word vomit was over. It wasn’t. “I don’t expect you guys to call me that. Just so you know. I don’t need to be a girlfriend. I was just a girlfriend and it wasn’t great. Zero stars; would not recommend. Ha ha. Right? I mean, I’m not going to call you guys boyfriend. That’s silly. Just…silly… I have to go.”

Axel stopped me from jumping off the counter and pinned me in place with his hips. “I was asleep like three minutes ago and dreaming about you sucking me off, so forgive me if my response is a little flawed, but…be quiet.”

I gasped. “Axel!”

“For just a minute, I mean. Just…stop talking, Kitten.” He saw me move and rested his finger over my lips. Turning to Hudson and Ryder, he stared at them and they seemed to have a silent conversation before he turned back to me. “Okay. We talked about it and we’ll give you girlfriend.”

I slapped his shoulder. “You didn’t talk about anything! You can’t just do that. Ryder has plans, Axel. And Hudson just slipped when he said that. You can’t just decide for them. Plus, you’re all busy and you have parties and school and football… You don’t have time for a girlfriend. And you guys sleep around. I’m flexible, but I’m still just one woman. And…and how would that work? I’m everyone’s girlfriend?”

Axel sighed. “You’re making me want to go back to sleep right now, Kitten.”

Ryder tossed a towel into the sink and moved closer. “My plans haven’t changed, Kitten. I just assumed that you’d mess with my game. You’ve been a good luck charm, though. My arm is better than ever and I’m feeling good about classes, which has never been true.”

“And I did slip when I said it, but I don’t make a habit of lying to myself. All that often, anyway. I wouldn’t know what else to call you, baby. We’re not friends. And those marks all over you? They saymine. Girlfriend will have to do.” Hudson smirked at me. “Your comment about us sleeping around? You’re the only woman who’s ever had my come inside her. As far as I’m concerned, the only sleeping around I’m going to be doing these days is going from room to room to find you each night.”

I was more than a little embarrassed when tears filled my eyes. They tried to come to my aid, but I waved them off and laughed at myself. I wiped my eyes while groaning and shook my head. “Sorry. I’m fine. It’s stupid. What does it say about my dating history that Hudson saying that thing about his come in me was romantic enough to make me cry?”

Axel frowned. “It says we need to all show you better.”

Hudson shrugged. “I didn’t hate it.”

Ryder swore. “I couldn’t decide to date you with two normal best friends? It had to be these two idiots?”

I laughed at the expression on Axel’s face. “I like all three of you idiots. My boyfriends?”

They each simultaneously rolled their eyes. It was Ryder who expressed their joint disdain, though, proving that they really were all three losers. “How aboutman-friends?”

I faked a gag. “I’d rather be single.”

***Jenny***

“Oh,my.”Itwas Friday night and Gran was staring at me in the cramped restaurant bathroom, a smug expression on her face. “I love being right.”

I yanked my t-shirt up to cover myself and looked behind the older woman. “I locked the door. How’d you get in?”

She rolled her eyes and waved her hands like she was getting rid of a fly. “I learned to pick locks as a little girl back home. I made enough that the local crime man ran me out of town. That asshole. You’re going to need some help if you’re going to wear the outfit I made you.”

I stared at the tiny skirt and shirt she’d brought me and then blinked. “Sorry. Did you just say a crime man ran you out of town?”

“Focus, dear. Drop that shirt. I’ve seen little boobs before.” She waited while looking at me with a stern expression until I dropped the shirt and stood in front of her in just my panties. “Which of those boys left these marks? They’re not being too rough on you, are they? They’re big boys and you’re just a little thing.”

I felt like I could’ve cooked an egg on my face. “Um…”

“That man of mine used to ravage me like that. This was back when my Catholic mother would’ve skinned us both for that kind of thing. I learned fast how to cover it up. I’ll take care of you, no problem.” She put her bag down on the sink and started pulling things out. “Shannon thought she was good at hiding them, but I always knew. And Axel’s daddy had a big mouth.”

I snorted and then covered my mouth. Gran was a wildcard and I wasn’t sure that she wouldn’t slap my hand for being unladylike. I saw her grinning in the mirror, though, and relaxed. “Gran?”

She came over with what looked like a tub of yogurt and a sponge. “Yes, dearie?”

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