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I frown and cross my arms over my chest. “I hate lying to him.” Hell, it already feels like I’m lying to him, and it doesn’t sit right with me. I get indigestion just thinking about what Teagan would do if he knew. “But maybe we can keep it under wraps for now. At least until we know where this is headed.”
“Damn straight.” Chris nods in agreement. “That way if this thing with you and Brynn crashes and burns, he never has to know. No need to piss him off until you need to.”
I grip my towel at the waist. “Yeah, you’re totally right.”
“Of course I am.” Chris claps me on the back.
“And if things with us progress . . .” I start.
“Then you reassess. You tell him once it gets to that point, and then at least you can look him in the eyes and say,I might be banging your hot ass sister, but at least I love her.” He holds a straight face for all of two seconds before bursts out laughing.
“Asshole,” I mutter, flipping him off before I head for the showers.
I crank the water and step under the hot spray. The salt and grime on my skin washes away as I think about Brynn and how crazy it is we’re even in this position. Had someone told me a month ago that the untouchable Brynn Nichols and I would be more than friends—hell, more than enemies—I would’ve toldthem they were crazy. And now, here I am, risking my best friend, mybrother, because I want to claim her.
I can’t imagine what it would be like without the Nichols family in my life. I’m closer to them than my own parents. Over the years, they’ve done more meaningful things for me than my own flesh and blood, so losing them is unthinkable.
But I can’t stop this thing with Brynn even if I tried. She came barreling into my life like a freight train, and now that I’ve boarded the car, I’m not getting off until I make her mine.
CHAPTER 27
JACE
My feet sink intothe spongy grass. The ground is still slightly soft from rain the previous evening, but the sun is high and it’s supposed to be hot today, so I suspect it will dry out quickly. I cross the fields of the recreational park toward several groups of children who vary in age. Some are knee-high and others appear to be pre-teens. At the helm of one of the groups talking to the kids, is a hot blonde I recognize.
Her hair is tied into two braids I find so fucking endearing I can barely stand it. Tight yoga shorts show off her tan legs and she waves her arms animatedly in a loose tank and sports bra.
With a smile, I slowly head her way, trying to keep my thoughts decent considering I’m surrounded by children.
I pause a few feet behind her, grinning at her intense explanation about how there is no contact today—flags only—which is a little disappointing because I wouldn’t mind an excuse to tackle Brynn. I’m not beyond bending the rules though toserve my own selfish purposes, and body contact is definitely one of them.
Once she’s finished, I clear my throat and watch with bated breath as she turns around.
I wonder if she’ll be excited to see me.
My heart pounds at the prospect. I’ve never cared much about what people thought of me. I’ve always done my own thing, and it’s worked in my favor. But I care far more than I’d like to admit about what Brynn will think when she realizes I’m here to volunteer.
A couple of the kids point, and her head turns.
When she spots me, she freezes. There’s a momentary widening of her eyes before the violet floods with warmth. She takes a step toward me, a smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Her voice gives nothing away, so I’m only slightly relieved as I shrug. “I’m one of the volunteers today.”
“You’re . . .” She blinks. “Seriously?”
I nod, and just when I wonder if this was a huge mistake, she flings herself at me. Her arms wrap around my neck as she draws me in for a hug, her laughter filling my insides like sunshine. “That’s amazing.” She pulls away slightly, glancing over her shoulders as her cheeks flush. “I thought most of the recruits they got were from local high schools.”
“Oh, great! You made it.” A plump middle-aged woman wearing sunglasses half the size of her face approaches from the side, a clipboard in hand. “I assume you’re Jace Taggart from the Griffins?”
I nod, my gaze never leaving Brynn who’s biting her lip to hide a megawatt smile.
“That’s me.”
“Fantastic.” The woman extends a hand, and I reluctantly turn to her and shake it. “I’m Maggie, the director of Helping Hands.I could tell by the way you carried yourself, along with your physique, that you had to be a Griffin. It’s so nice to have you. Any time someone from the team volunteers, we’re so grateful. The kids just love it and think it’s really cool to have a football player from the university playing with them. Don’t be surprised if a few of them ask for an autograph. You guys are celebrities around here.”
I offer her a polite nod. “Not a problem. It’s my pleasure to be here. Anything for the kids.”
Maggie beams and motions toward the children. “I see you found a group. If you’re good with staying here, this works perfectly.”
