Page 59 of The Game We Played

Benny flies toward me and jumps on me. “Hi, Benny.”

“Benny, leave our guest alone.” Alaia tugs on his collar but he’s immovable.

I scratch his chin. “Aren’t you adorable?” He drops down and rolls over to expose his belly to me. “Does someone want a belly rub?”

“He always wants a belly rub. He’s shameless.”

I meet her gaze and lower my voice. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want and going for it.”

Her cheeks darken. “You can’t always have what you want.”

“What if what I want wants me too?”

“You’re trouble.”

“This is not news.”

Beth and Anne glide into the room. “Our surprise guest is here.”

Alaia groans. “I should have known.”

They blink – the picture of innocence. “What?”

“Tanner and I aren’t a real couple.”

Beth frowns. “Your kiss seemed real enough to me.”

Anne fans herself. “And hot. Don’t forget hot.”

I chuckle while Alaia’s cheeks flame. I’m acquainted with this blush. It travels from her cheeks down her neck to the tops of her breasts. My cock twitches as memories of Alaia’s body spread out before me flash through my mind.

Alaia crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up. She is not helping with the tightness in my jeans.

“Did you tell Mom and Dad? Is there enough food for him?”

Her mom pushes through the kitchen door with her dad hot on her heels. They’ve obviously been up to something in the kitchen, considering how puffy Sally’s lips are. How would itfeel to find the love they’ve obviously found? To trust someone to be there for you.

Too bad people are trustworthy. Except I do trust Alaia. At least, I told her I did. But is it the truth?

I glance up at her. Glaring at her parents and twins. Yep. I trust her. She’s always honest and doesn’t hesitate to call people out if they irk her.

Am I falling for her? Is this how love feels? Wanting to spend every waking moment with a person. Worrying about their happiness more than your own. Not wanting to disappoint them.

“We knew Tanner was coming,” Sally says and breaks through my thoughts.

Alaia throws her arms in the air. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

“We assumed you knew your boyfriend was welcome at our table for Sunday family dinners,” her dad adds.

Sunday family dinners? My heart squeezes. I want to be part of this family. My own family isn’t worthy of the designation, but the Jacksons? They know what family means. They love each other fiercely. Tease each other even worse. Have each other’s backs.

My phone rings and I dig it out of my pocket. I read the display and mutter a swear. Speaking of family.

“Excuse me. I need to answer this.”

I give Benny one last pat before standing and making my way out of the house.

“What?”