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“He’s not trying to get you kicked off the team. His uncle might be. But he’s not.”
“His uncle… the one who brought him onto the team. The one who orchestrated this whole nightmare. The one who helped raise him—that uncle?”
“The quarterback who’s been nothing but patient with you? The guy who came to the opening of your restaurant like he was a circus act to help draw a crowd for you? Don’t get yourself all in a twist. Especially not this early in the morning when I haven’t had enough caffeine.”
“I’m not in a fucking twist. I just think you’re playing with fire. And West Field would have done just fine without him. Wren is a fucking master at that shit.”
“I’m sure it would have been fine. But he definitely helped. You know it. You just don’t like it.” I can’t believe I’m defending Quentin this hard but then I don’t like the way East talks about him either. Neither of them has a fair opinion of the other, and I’m desperately trying to get them to see each other as teammates if not friends.
“I liked it better when I could taunt him about you being with A.J. Now that’s ruined,” East grumps.
“You did not!” I punch him in the arm.
“Might have, a little. He had it coming.”
“You’re such an ass, East. Your wife needs to put you on a shorter chain.”
“She does. Just usually it’s on Saturday nights.”
“Again—not enough caffeine.”
“You started it. Speaking of, does he know you’re not with A.J.? Or was he just on board with the cheating?”
“He knows. I told him we have to keep things secret. That means you too.” I give East a pointed look as he sips his coffee.
“You’re not going to carry on like this, are you? You remember you fucking work together?” East’s brow furrows.
“I’m going to do whatever I damn well please. I’m not hurting anyone.”
“You’ll hurt yourself if you get attached to him again. He’s not the kind who sticks around, Mads.”
“You don’t know what kind he is. Besides, you weren’t the kind either and look at you now, living in domestic bliss. Just like our brother. Xander. It can happen… If you all can, he can.”
“I didn’t leave Wren when she needed me most.”
“You had an easier life than he did. You know his uncle raised him because both of his parents bailed. Our father might have been a miserable excuse for a loving parent, but we had him and Mom.”
“And that’s an excuse?”
“No. But it’s something I can give him some slack for. Anyway… I’m not expecting him to stick around. I’m just expecting to get some good dick while I can, okay?”
“Jesus Christ, Madison. There isn’t enough caffeine in the world for you to say shit like that to me. Especially this early in the morning.”
“Then next time send your wife to sit and ambush me. She’d at least give me a high five.”
East side-eyes me and finishes the last of his coffee. “You want to walk with me or not?”
“I do, but I’d better get a quick nap and a shower. I’ve got meetings later today. Rain check?”
“Works for me.” East starts to walk off, but he turns back. “You know it’s because I love you, right? I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“I know. I love you too.”
East nods and takes off down the steps, heading for the trail that snakes through the woods sitting on his property. I hurry back inside, desperate to get a hot shower and more caffeine. At least we’re all in on this secret now, for better or worse.
25
Madison
