Page 28 of The Player I Can’t Pick

Guy rolls his eyes. “You cheated.”

“I did not.”

“I’m getting old,” Guy mutters. Eli laughs as Guy lowers him to the ground.

Lindsey calls him toward the house, and he runs off.

Guy stops beside me and slides his arm around my waist. “You okay?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

He searches my face. “You look overwhelmed.”

I could deny it, but I should be honest with him. “I am a little.”

His expression immediately turns concerned. “Do you want to go?”

I look around at his family. They’ve stopped staring at us and are talking among themselves now. His mom is holding the baby. Logan and Miller are giving each other a hard time. Ozzy is standing off to the side, but he doesn’t look as distant as he did earlier. It’s loud and crowded, but it’s also warm.

“No,” I say. “I’m okay.”

Guy studies my face. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He kisses my temple. “Good.”

A little while later, everyone begins heading inside. Guy stays back with Ozzy while I walk ahead with Skyler and the other women.

I glance over my shoulder and see Guy shove his brother lightly.

“You’re an asshole,” he tells him.

Ozzy laughs. “You’re welcome.”

“I told you, I’m not thanking you.”

“You will.”

Guy looks toward me. Our eyes meet, and his expression softens.

He turns back to Ozzy and lowers his voice, but I can still hear him. “Thank you.”

Ozzy slaps him on the shoulder. “Anytime, bub.”

I turn away before Guy catches me listening.

By the time we leave, I’ve been hugged again by every woman in his family. Caroline tells me I’m welcome anytime, and Skyler makes me promise I’ll come back and hold the baby when she isn’t surrounded by everyone.

Guy takes my hand as we walk toward his truck. “Well?” he asks.

“Well, what?”

“Did they scare you?”

I smile. “A little.”

He groans. “I knew it.”