Page 27 of The Wildcat

“It’s Brynlee,” Brynn calls through the door.

“Come in,” I call back and slip further under the bubbles. Not that we haven’t all seen each other naked before, but still... “What’s up?”

Brynn sits primly down on the closed toilet seat and fluffs her green-and-white sundress around her legs. “I was just talking to Grace, and she mentioned that West End guy from the summer was Cross Wilder. Why didn’t you tell me you hooked up with one of my players?”

“Umm... So, I may not have known that little detail until today.” Brynlee is one of the physical therapists for the Philadelphia Revolution hockey team. I’ve been so stuck in my own head since dinner, it didn’t even cross my mind that she’d know Cross. “We didn’t exactly do a ton of talking that night.”

Brynn cocks a perfectly shaped strawberry-blonde brow. “He’s not exactly your normal type.”

“Yeah... I figured that out tonight too,” I admit sheepishly.

She picks up the towel I threw on the sink before stepping into the deep clawfoot tub, earlier and carefully folds it. “Do you like him?”

“Maybe... I don’t really know him yet, Brynn. He’s a hockey player. Is he even a good guy?”

“He’s quiet. Keeps to himself a lot. He’s got a brother on the team. Ares. He’s the loud one. But Cross... well, he’s alwaysbeen nice to me.” A shadow crosses her pretty face. “He might be worth giving a chance.” She runs her hands over the now-folded white, fluffy towel. “He’s not Keith.”

My eyes shoot to hers. “I know that.”

“Do you? Because I haven’t seen you with the same guy twice since that shit happened with him.”

“You promised me we wouldn’t talk about that,” I snap, feeling suddenly vulnerable. And vulnerable isn’t a feeling I do well.

“And we haven’t,” Brynn placates me. “I haven’t said a word. I haven’t pushed. I haven’t told. Not anyone. Even though I still think we should have. Even though I don’t think you’ve dealt with it...” she trails off.

When I don’t say anything, she places the towel back on the counter and stands. “Cross Wilder doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s going to play your game your way, Everly. And honestly, I hope he doesn’t. I think he could be good for you. But only you can decide to give it a chance.”

She turns to walk out of the room, and I want to say something snarky.

To tell her I don’t need a guy to be good for me.

I’m fine just the way I am.

But I’m not so sure I believe that anymore.

If I’m being honest with myself, I’m not sure I’ve been fine for a long damn time.

Holy hotness, Kroydon Hills! Was anyone else lucky enough to be at West End for the mind-blowing reunion that happened last night? The temperature certainly spiked to an all-time high when the newest generation of Sinclair and Beneventi boys–turned–men blew our collective minds. I don’t remember the last time we were graced with this many gorgeous guys at one table. What’s in the water and where do I get some? In other news, our favorite baller, Callen Sinclair, was there, and surprise, surprise, he went home alone. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

#KroydonKronicles #WhatsInTheWater

CROSS

“Where you going, Daddy?” Giant crocodile tears pool in Kerrigan’s big blue eyes as she blinks up at me. She looks like I just kicked her imaginary puppy. The one she’s been begging for, but I keep saying no. Some days I’m just grateful that I’ve managed to keep the kids alive for another day. I don’t need the responsibility of another living creature. Maybe a fish. They seem low maintenance.

Ares adds a spoonful of peas to Kerrigan’s dinner plate, then turns with the fucking devil is in his eyes—the way he always did when we were kids, right before he said something that got me in trouble with Mom. “Yeah, Cross,” he drawls. “Whereareyou going?”

I throw my middle finger up behind Kerrigan before I run my hand over her soft hair. “I’m going out with a friend, sweetie. But I won’t be long, and I promise to kiss you when I get home.”

“You don’t have friends,” Ares points out like the giant dick he is.

Bellamy hides a laugh next to him as she wipes peach puree from Jax’s chubby cheeks.

“Does too, Uncle Ares.” Kerrigan’s little brows pull together tightly as she frowns up at my brother. “We had cupcakes wif Miss Evie after ballet class yesterday.”

Ares slings his arm across the back of Kerrigan’s chair and tugs on her curls. “I’m sorry, baby girl. You’re right. I was just teasing your daddy.” Then the fucker looks at me over her head and grins before giving his attention back to Kerrigan. “How about you tell me more about Miss Evie?”

I grind my teeth and try to remind myself I can’t kill him in front of the kids. “Don’t grill my daughter for information.”

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