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Bogie ran straight toward my best friends, the guys I’d lovingly called his uncles until that all started feeling a little too weird. He barked and wiggled, thrilled to see some of his favorite people first thing.
Sam looked over at me and pushed his hat up on his head to look at me better. “Looks like you forgot something, Poppy.”
Bad Mood Banner stood next to them, a giant mug in his hands and a scowl on his face. “Isn’t it bad enough that I have to live next to you and share a property line with you? Now I’ve got to see you first thing in the morning half-dressed too? I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee and you’re already pissing me off.”
I looked down at my bare legs and back at him. I felt the urge to run inside and pull on pants, but I wouldn’t let Bad Mood Banner think he’d embarrassed me. Even if I was embarrassed. “If you don’t want to see my legs, feel free to take off your bifocals, old man. I’m sure you can barely see anything as it is.”
“I have perfect vision with these glasses, I’ll have you know! I can see just fine that you’ve never been in the sun with those legs before.” He waved his hand in my direction. “If you’re trying to find a husband, you’re going to have to do more than that. I’m not sure any amount of nakedness would make up for your mouthiness.”
I moved to the railing and gripped it while imagining it was the old man’s neck. “Why would I want a husband? The idea of a man growing into something like you is enough to pack up my libido and send it across the world. Why don’t you go home and watch your soaps?”
“It’s the weekend!” He pointed his cup at me. “You’d be lucky to end up with a man like me, lady. I’m a walk in the park compared to you!”
“A park in hell, maybe!”
He shook his finger at me. “I told the city you ran over my trash can! I’m going to tell them about this public nudity too!”
“Fine! Tell them! Maybe that’ll get some workers out here to fix the potholes you’re always claiming to fall in.” I crossed my arms over my chest and looked at the guys. They were just watching with big smiles on their faces. I threw up my arms and groaned. “Men are the worst!”
Jude’s smile was just a little too wide as he walked up my driveway and stopped just in front of me. Looking up at me from the yard, he didn’t seem to try to hide his gaze trailing over my bare legs. “Would you like us to beat up the old guy?”
I pressed my thighs together and tried to ease the arousal that exploded the second I saw Jude checking me out. “Yes.”
He laughed. “Will you post our bail?”
Cyrus and Sam watched from the street, still grinning. Sam absently petted Bogie while Cyrus stroked his beard, both of them seemingly content to give their cranky best friend her space.
Jude shifted his body to block his movement as he reached through the porch railing and lightly ran his knuckles down my calf. His eyes held mine as he inhaled deeply and licked his lips. “Put some pants on and get out here. Your brothers challenged us to a game of baseball and thanks to Charlie’s schedule, we’re doing it this morning.”
My body heated and leaned into the railing, wanting more of his touch. My brain shouted at me to go back inside and lock the door. When his touch moved to the inside of my knee, I flicked my eyes to the street to find Sam and Cyrus still watching. “Um…I’m not playing baseball with my brothers this early in the morning.”
Jude dragged his finger higher, dangerously close to exposing his actions to our other friends. “You sure? We could always use your swing.”
My mouth went dry as he pulled his finger away and backed off. Watching him smirk as he moved away from me, I gripped the railing for a whole new reason. My knees felt weak from that tease. I cleared my throat and whistled for Bogie. “I’d rather eat out of Cyrus’s kitchen.”
Cyrus narrowed his eyes at me. “Don’t start with me, PoJo.”
I saw his fingers flex and knew he was thinking of spanking me. A full-body blush grew over my skin, leaving me too warm and too aware. Backing toward my door, I had to clear my throat again. “Are we still watching the game tomorrow?”
After agreeing to meet at our favorite bar for the game, I rushed inside so fast that I had to open the door again for Bogie to come in. Once inside, he stared up at me with offense written all over his goofy face, so I bent down and cuddled his face.
“I’m sorry, boy. Your mom is losing her mind. As you’ve seen.” I thought of the look he’d given me the morning after my night with Jude. “You know what? I owe you a ride and a steak. How about a ride into the city and a trip to the toy store?”
Bogie’s tongue rolled out of his mouth as he panted. He had no clue what I was saying, but that never mattered. He was excited just the same.
“Give Mom a few minutes and we can go, buddy.” I peeked out of my window and saw the guys still standing around. “Or maybe we wait a little while longer. Just until the street is clear. No other reason.”
22
***Poppy***
“No!Screwthat!Thatwasn’t out!” I slumped back into my seat after yelling at the TV and drained the rest of my beer. “It’d be less obvious that the ref was a fan of the other guys if he just wore their jersey and dribbled the damn ball for them!”
Cyrus motioned to the bartender for another round of beer and cracked his neck. “These fucking games stress me out.”
I pulled my ponytail tighter and wrapped it on top of my head in a bun. “I’m pissed. Who do I confront about this? I need to yell at someone.”
Sam grinned. “But you’re yelling at the TV so beautifully. Why mess with success?”
