Page 33 of Face Off

I didn’t feel like joining. I had too much on my mind and would probably end up with a more serious injury than a bruised face if I got involved.

“Mikey!” I glanced over to the patio. Chloe was waving me over. “Are you busy?”

“No,” I called back as I walked over. “What do you need?”

“Can you help me fill this and put it up here?” She pointed to a five-gallon water cooler.

“Sure, what do you want in it?” I looked around for a water fountain.

“I have ice and water in the back of my car. I was going to make a few trips to fill it, but you’re so strong and capable.” She batted her lashes as if she needed to convince me to help. “You can do it in one.”

“The flattery is unnecessary.” I rolled my eyes, picked up the container, and headed to the parking lot. Once I filled it up, I hefted it up onto my shoulder and walked back. My hand was wet so I wiped it across the front of my shirt, grateful for the cooling sensation. “Where do you want it?”

“At the end of this table.” She pointed to the first one closest to the playground.

Someone whistled at me, and Emma held her hand up to her forehead and pretended to swoon. “My, my. So handsome. So strong.”

I ignored her and lowered the cooler to the table.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me this was a wet T-shirt contest?” Mitch said from behind me.

I spun and he broke out laughing. I stared at him, questioning his sanity until he pointed to me. I looked down and realized the stupid thing had leaked all over me, and now my white T-shirt was nearly transparent and clinging to my skin.

I pulled it away only for it to slap back against my stomach.

“New theme for next year's calendar?” Taylor asked with a teasing smile.

“No.” I glared back while trying in vain to dry my shirt with a few quick tugs.

“Hey, no need to attack,” Mitch warned. “Have you had a chance to see Madi?”

I sighed. “No, I’m going this week. I’ll be sure to send out a press release to keep everyone updated.”

I turned and walked down the path away from him. Away from the Pride and my teammates. It wasn’t like me to snap, but I was sick of thinking about my injury. Worrying about my future. Cursing how things could have gone bad so quickly. I just wanted a day to be normal.

It was stupid. I was annoyed with Lance for not remembering that I have other stuff going on in my life, and Mitch for reminding me.

There was no winning. For them, or me.

Maybe coming was a mistake. I shouldn’t be around people right now.

“Uncle Mikey!” I couldn’t ignore those voices. I stopped and waited as Milo and Finn ran toward me, followed by Holly’s daughter.

“Can you push us?” Milo asked, widening his eyes and adding a little pout, just like I taught him.

“Hey, that was a good one.” I winked at him, and he grinned back.

“But will you?” Finn asked. “Sadie needs help getting on the swing.”

I glanced over at the little girl with two pigtails high on her head. She had her hands behind her back and was looking back up at me through her lashes. How could I turn that down?

“Yeah, come on.” I herded them toward the set of six swings.

“Sadie, why didn’t you ask me?” Holly was hurrying over from the direction of the patio.

“Milo and Finn said Uncle Mikey was the best. He pushes you to the very top.” She pointed to the bar the chains of the swings hung from.

“I don’t,” I tried to tell Holly, but Milo was quick to back her up.