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I kick off the wall, jumping right in front of them and blocking their way.
Meyer jerks, her head popping up with a gasp.
Her brows snap together. “Tobias.”
“Tobias?” the guy repeats, his head jerking toward me. “Holy shit! You’re Tobias Cruz—”
His words are cut off when my fist connects with his jaw, sending his neck snapping back, and he drops.
“Oh my god!” Meyer shouts.
I jump on him, rearing back to hit him again, but she shoves at my shoulder.
“Stop!” She forces her body between ours, gently touching the busted skin of the asshole’s cheek. “Are you okay?”
I spit over her shoulder, right into the guy’s face and she jerks around, her eyes wild with anger.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she screams, shoving at me, so I push to my feet and she follows.
“What’s wrong with you? Huh?” I throw a hand out. “What the fuck am I?”
Nothing, like I’ve been to my family for years.
Like I’d be without ball.
Like I was before Coach gave me more.
Like I was before she came into my life.
I don’t realize I’m backing up, until my shoulder hits the concrete wall opposite of where she stands, her face wrenched tight.
“You know what?” I shake my head. “Fuck this. Fuck you.”
“Watch your fucking mouth, man!” the dude shouts as he pushes to his feet.
My lips curl and I dart forward again, but then Meyer is in my way. In my face.
Stepping fucking closer and my body starts to shake.
Baby ...
“He’s my brother.”
I blink. And then I blink again, slowly cocking my head as I stare at her, searching for a sign of deceit but coming up empty.
So, I use her own words, seeking a truth I need more than fucking air. “No lie.”
Her shoulders fall and she shakes her head, whispering, “No lie.”
“He’s your brother?”
“He’s my brother.”
I nod, looking off to the side as I blow out a long, strangled breath and when I face forward, I grab her by the wrist, yanking her to me. “And I’m what?”
“Tobias ...”
“Nuh-uh.” I tip my chin, my heart still slamming against my ribs. I need to hear it. Now. I need to fucking feel it. “Tell me, baby ... I’m what?”
Her smile is soft, but a fire roars behind her eyes as she says, “More.”
I don’t wait, the need too strong.
I crash my lips to hers and my baby melts against me, kissing me right back.
“Cover your eyes, Bay,” is mock whispered behind us, and Meyer laughs as she pulls away.
It doesn’t take her long to remember I just laid her brother on his ass, and her eyes narrow expectantly, but it’s unnecessary.
I know when I’ve fucked up, and I can approach it like a man.
Holding my palm out, I offer it to the guy and while his eyes narrow, I can spot the hidden smirk on his lips as he slaps his hand into mine, allowing me to pull him to his feet.
His grip is strong and purposeful and when he lets go, he stands to his full height, that isn’t so far off from mine.
I’m still taller.
“My bad, man. I didn’t know you were her family.”
He lifts a blond brow, his knuckles coming up to dab at the blood dripping down his cheek. “So, if I wasn’t, you’d have no problem knocking me on my ass?”
“None at all.”
Meyer drops her face into her hands, but her brother laughs, his other hand coming around to pat at my bicep.
“Then I take it this ‘more’ she called you means you’re good to my sister.”
“When she lets me be. She’s stubborn as shit.”
He laughs, and Meyer shakes her head, flicking her eyes to the sky.
“Sounds about right.” He looks to his sister, who begins to shake her head fervently.
“Milo. No,” she says pointedly.
His grin spreads wider. “So can we skip all this and get to the part where Tobias fucking Cruz is standing in front of me?”
Meyer groans, grabs the stroller, and walks away, leaving her grinning, bleeding brother before me.
CHAPTER 25
Tobias
Meyer sits beside me on the sofa, Milo and Bianca on the floor arguing about who made Bailey laugh louder. They continuously look to Meyer to settle the argument, but she keeps shrugging the decision away.
“Ugh!” Bianca tosses herself back on the beanbag. “She’s just being nice because she never sees your ass.”
“No, she’s just trying not to offend your bratty ass.”
Her mouth falls open. “I don’t get offended!”
“No, you just get butt hurt and hold it against people for weeks.”
I expect Bianca to shout back, but she simply laughs, rolls over to grab Bailey and set her on her stomach. “Tell your uncle Milo he’s a lying bastard, Bay.”
Meyer rolls her eyes, dropping her head back.
The fiasco at the field today left me feeling like a jackass, so when Meyer invited me to tag along with them to lunch, I passed. I didn’t want to cut into any more of their time together, but when Milo realized I had no plans and was headed home, the guy begged me to come. I’m talking, prayer hands and the whole thing.
