“She’s happy, really happy, Brett.” Pax nodded over to Madi then, elbowing his QB.
Madi was laughing at something Skyla was saying, bouncing Lennox in her lap on the pool stairs. She looked stunning in a bright yellow, lacy bikini that complemented her lightly tanned skin.
Brett smiled. She was, and he was too; incredibly happy, happier than he could ever remember being. They were in love, completely and desperately, despite that he still hadn’t made love to her yet. He wanted to, he wanted to so badly, but he was waiting. He played the part of the ever-present gentleman he’d always been with her, courting her like a man was supposed to court a woman: taking her out to dinner, shows, and on trips. He sent her flowers, love notes, and gifts for no reason other than to see her smile.
She’d moved into his house, and they slept in the same bed together…and they’d done amazing things together, all except intercourse. He didn’t want to impose on her; he wanted to make sure she was ready for the next step of their relationship. Hell, it’d just been four and a half months since Hunter’s death, and Brett didn’t need anything else to feel apologetic for. He was just now starting to feel whole again.
Madi had sold the house; this was their last weekend hanging out here before the movers came. Most of the furniture was being donated, some was going into a storage unit, and the clothes were going to Brett’s. It had been Madi’s idea to give the house a farewell party; that just happened to coincide with the fourth of July.
“Daddy, are you getting in the pool?” Valeria swam over with Lofton as she looked up at Linc, eyes hinting like she might refer to him as Daddy when the boys weren’t around too.
“Yes, sexy mama, I’m coming,” Linc confirmed and shrugged at the guys as he moved to the edge of the pool.
Brett continued to man the grill and smirked as Langley laughed.
“Can’t say as I blame him. Blondes have more fun anyway, right, Brett?”
Brett frowned at the conviction in Lang’s eyes.
“Hell, he wouldn’t know,” Trav mumbled under his breath, but Lang caught it and Brett could’ve punched Travis in the mouth. Trav saw it and immediately apologized, “Sorry, man, it’s just…when the hell are you gonna take the plunge? Don’t tell me you still feel guilty?”
“I forget my girlfriend is friends with yours,” Brett grated, annoyed, and Pax laughed.
“Gotta take her out of the friendzone, man,” TJ suggested with a shrug of his big shoulders.
“Right? Thank you. I mean, can you really even call her your girlfriend? Just sayin’.” Travis put his hands up as Brett gritted his teeth and lunged forward.
“Looks like we might have Trav dogs instead of beef franks.” Brett bawled up his fist and pointed it at Travis in warning.
“Easy, Zeus,” Pax patted Brett’s shoulder.
“Fuck all y’all. We’re dating, we’re together. I don’t need to stick my dick in her for it to be official.” He huffed. “You know what? You guys wouldn’t understand anyway. Linc, how would you feel if I moved in on Val before you’d barely even started to rot in your grave, huh?”
At that, all five guys balked.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought, so back off.” Brett turned the dogs and kept his eyes low. He didn’t need them to tell him what constituted a relationship. None of them had ever been as patient as he’d been, so how could they possibly understand waiting to make love to the woman of their dreams until she was over her husband’s death? They couldn’t. Furthermore, there was nothing wrong with waiting for the moment to be right. Brett intended to make love to Madi, but he wanted it to be perfect. He wanted to marry her, too. And he had no idea when she’d be up for that again. Besides, it was really none of their business.
Brett’s eyes looked over at Lang suddenly, who was intent on Madi’s bikini-clad frame as she handed Lennox over to Skyla. Her breasts bobbled precariously as she righted her low-cut top and blushed at the near-exposure. A flash of jealous, angry heat shot through him at the memory of a similar encounter not long ago:
“Hey, my boys,” Madi cooed as she ran up to them, smiling. She was clad in workout gear, a tight gray sports bra and black shorts, her blonde hair curly and pulled back in a ponytail. She looked sexy as hell, and Brett wasn’t the only one to notice—or appreciate—her outfit as he greeted her in turn.
“Hey, baby,” Hunt grinned like he’d just been given the winning lottery ticket.
“Have a good practice. I love you both.” She blew kisses to both Hunter and Brett before moving off to the edge of the football field for her morning run, breasts and bottom bouncing.
“Mmm, damn you, Hunter Thomas! You get to hit that fine ass tonight.”
Brett was two seconds from reaching out and grabbing Langley in a chokehold for his words, only to hear Hunter laughing victoriously beside him.
The two sets of eyes that roved Madi’s retreating backside had Brett feeling murderous. Lang and Hunt were eating her up like she was a free buffet—and he was absolutely livid.
“Correction, dude, I’m gonna hit that fine ass here in about an hour when we get a break,” Hunt replied, brow arching as he glanced at his Rolex.
Brett felt his stomach pitch, appalled that Hunter would allow Langley to talk about his wife, and boss, in such a lewd manner.
When Langley walked ahead, Brett grabbed the back of Hunt’s shirt and held him fast.
“What kinda man says
