I chewed on my bottom lip, glancing toward the stairs and back to him again. Excitement heated my insides and I gave him a half grin in answer.
He laughed. “We have to make it quick. We’ve got a kickball game to get to.”
I nearly groaned. How did I get pulled into going to see a sports game?
As Brad moved toward the bathroom, that delectable ass shifting in his tight shorts, I decided it might be worth it.
I changed my mind.I hated it. It was too hot outside and the blistering sun made my skin itchy. Brad had loaned me one of his jerseys to wear with a pair of jeans I had to roll at the cuffs, so I could officially cheer them on, or at least that’s what he’d said. I somehow felt that him dressing me like this was more than team spirit. It felt like he was claiming me, and I wasn’t going to complain.
Nicky, Madden, and Evan were waiting for us by the pitch, and Nicky waved when he saw us, his grin wide across his face. Brad gripped my hand with his and led me over to them. There were more people in the same jerseys loitering around, so I assumed they were on Brad’s team as well.
“How is he?” Nicky asked as soon as we reached them.
“He’s quiet,” Brad answered, glancing toward me. “But I think he likes Harley.”
I held back a snort. Whether he liked me or not, I didn’t want a mutt anywhere near me. There was a difference between sympathizing with him and wanting to keep him around.
“Poor guy.” Nicky sighed. “I talked to Joe, our boss, but I don’t think he’s going to keep Kwan. I tried to convince him that Kwan was going through something, but he said he needed Kwan on the job, and if he couldn’t be there, he’d kick him to the curb.”
“Can he do that?” I snapped, a strange protectiveness surging through me . No. Nope. I did not want a dog. I just felt bad for him.
Nicky shrugged. “I suppose he can do what he wants. Kwan has had an unreasonable amount of days off sick without a doctor’s excuse.”
“That’s the last thing he needs right now,” I said, earning a few surprised glances. I turned my attention to Madden. “You’re a lawyer, right? Didn’t you ramble something to that effect earlier? Can’t you fight it?”
“I could if he wanted me to,” Madden answered with a thoughtful frown. “But Kwan would have to want to fight it, and with the condition he’s in? I doubt he’ll try. Plus… is the job worth it? Always a consideration.”
Nicky snorted. “I’m even looking for someplace else to go, so that’s a big no.”
“Damn.” Brad ran his hand over the back of his head. He turned, looking toward the team bench, and I followed his gaze to a group of men. One in particular was staring at me with narrowed eyes, but the moment he saw me looking, he flashed perfect white teeth. He jumped off the bench and moved toward us with a bounce in his step. Tall—or at least, taller than me—with perfect tan skin, a classically handsome face, and teasing hazel eyes, the man walked with obvious purpose. Stopping in front of us, he held out his hand to me.
“Hi, I’m Enrique. I saw you came with Brad. Are you here to play with us?”
There was something about him. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I wasn’t a fan from first impressions. That wasn’t anything new for me, however. I hated everyone the first time I met them, unless they proved they were worth my time. I’d learned remaining aloof made it easier to protect myself, and give people a reason to call me a snobby prick before they did it behind my back anyway.
I took his hand and shook it, but only because this was Brad’s teammate and I wanted to try to be nice. “Harley.”
“You’re a dog?”
The words startled me.
Brad stepped closer to me, his own face set in a frown. “Enrique, how are you?”
He drew Enrique’s attention. “I’m fine, Brad. I see you’ve found a new pet. It’s not hard to tell with the way you’re leading him around. I’m happy for you.” He smiled, and while I was used to hostility, there wasn’t anything but kindness in his eyes, so I didn’t think he was lying.
Brad touched the middle of my back. “Thank you. This is Harley, my… cat.” He kissed my cheek.
I stiffened under the surprised scrutiny this Enrique guy gave me. It wasn’t hard to deduce they were some kind of exes. I didn’t become an actuary only for my mathematic and statistical skills. I understood people, from the outside anyway, watched their interactions and worked out what kind of risk they were. Enrique held himself up like he had something to prove, with a stiff back and puffed-out chest. People who stood like that usually weren’t doing as great as they pretended. They had something to hide.
I pushed away the urge to hiss at him and forced a somewhat real smile in his direction. I’d promised Brad I wasn’t going to run again, and I planned on keeping my word. So what if this guy was Brad’s ex? I could handle that.
“You’re a cat?” Enrique made a face, and I didn’t know him well enough to decipher it, but Brad stepped in closer to me.
“Yes, a cat,” I said. If Mom had taught me anything growing up, it was to force my politeness, no matter how shy or nervous I was. Everything was about appearances. “I assume you’re a dog?”
“I am.” Enrique’s shock faded and his face relaxed into something more genuine. He released my hand, which I’d completely forgotten he had clutched in his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harley. You should join the Mighty Unicorns . We could use more players.”
I shook my head immediately. “Oh no, I don’t play sports.”
