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31
Brady
Grabbing my jeans off the floor, and my shirt off the foot of the bed, I throw them on and head downstairs. I’ve spent plenty of nights in this house since I met Cooper Sinclair, but this is the first time I’ve slept in a bed with his sister.
Permission or not, I’m thinking he isn’t going to be thrilled with me this morning.
Walking into the kitchen, I see my friends sitting at the island, nursing coffees and hangovers while Murphy flips pancakes and pulls a pan of bacon out of the oven. Before Murphy says anything at all, I know that I am not going to like what is about to come out of his mouth. It’s the shit-eating grin on his face that gives it away.
“Look who’s decided to join the rest of us. Too busy getting busy last night to get much sleep, QB?”
“Boundaries. Get some man.” Walking over to the coffee pot, I grab two mugs and start to pour.
“Aww. Come on, QB. Since when do you not share?”
An apple goes flying across the kitchen and hits Murphy in the back of the head. “Since the room he slept in last night was my sister’s, shit head.”
Of course, this is when Natalie walks into the kitchen.
I can’t help that I am a little disappointed she changed out of my jersey.
“Don’t be a grouch, Cooper. It’s not nice to hit your friends with fruit.” She sits down on the stool next to Bash.
Murphy smiles like he just got away with something, and Cooper starts grumbling.
I walk over, handing her a cup of coffee, and sit down next to her.
Bash looks at me. “What’s everyone doing today?”
Nat answers first. “I told Annabelle that I’d stop by the studio this afternoon for a little bit.”
Cooper raises his head. “To dance or teach?”
“Maybe a little of both. I had only planned on helping with the one class this fall, but Annabelle and I get along, and she could use more help. It’s only her at the studio, and she takes care of her younger brother too, so any help I can give her seems like a good thing.”
“Oh, yeah. A brother, huh? Should I be jealous?” I want her to think I’m teasing, but I’m not sure if I am.
“Your ego can safely stay intact, QB. Tommy is nine years old and has autism. Annabelle’s parents died last year. She has no other family and didn’t want to move Tommy out of his school, so she left the ballet company she was dancing with in New York and came home to take care of him. She opened Hart & Soul in the spring and has been doing it all on her own since.
“I like helping her. It lets me still have my toes in dance but on my terms. Bonus points for getting Dad off my back, too.”
“Breakfast is ready, guys.” Murphy pushes the plates stacked high with pancakes and bacon toward us all.
Cooper grabs a pancake and folds it in half, before putting the whole thing in his mouth. “Nat, are you going to be home for Declan’s game today? It’s on at four.”
“Jesus, Coop. Try chewing with your mouth closed.” Walking over to the pantry, she grabs syrup then sits back down. “I doubt I’ll be home for the game today, but I’ll make sure I’m here for tomorrow’s game. One, right?”
Cooper makes a point of swallowing and takes a drink of orange juice before answering. “Yeah. One tomorrow. You guys coming over for the game?”
Murphy agrees right away, but Bash is quiet. “I can’t tomorrow. My cousin’s kid is being Christened. It’ll be an all-day thing.”
“Are there going to be any single ladies there? Cooper and I could go as your wingmen.” As usual, Murphy is laughing at his joke.
Cooper shakes his head. “Speak for yourself, Murph. I’ll be watching the game. You’re on your own, Bash.”
Nattie is laughing at Murphy. “Murphy, didn’t I see you hooking up with a blonde cheerleader last night? How bad is your ADD?”
“I can’t help that the ladies love me. Who am I to deprive them of all of this?”
