He beams back at me. “It’s like you know me or something.”
“Only for a year or two,” I joke. “I’m going to go get cleaned up before it gets here.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to get a quick workout in.”
“Sorry moving my boxes didn’t help.”
“If you need help moving your furniture around, that might count as a workout.” Dax winks, turning to head toward his weight room in the back of the house.
“Hey, Dax?”
“Yeah?” He stops, leaning against the wall.
Bounding over, I rest a hand on his forearm to press onto my toes and peck his cheek. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have made it through any of this without you.”
The tender look Dax aims my way sends my thoughts spiraling. Nothing but care and kindness. “You know I’m always here for you, Sunshine. Whatever you need.”
“You’re the best friend anyone could ever have. If they gave out trophies, you’d get number one every time.”
This time, Dax returns the kiss on my cheek beforeleaving and pulling the door closed behind him. I’m standing in the middle of the hall, glued to the floor.
I can feel the imprint of his lips on my cheek. The soft skin of his jaw as it brushed against mine. My skin tingles with awareness from the brief touch.
What in the world is going on?
Dax and I have always been affectionate with one another. It’s never affected me in the past, so why is this time different?
It must be all the emotions still bubbling over inside of me. Thathasto be it. There’s no other explanation.
Because this is Dax we’re talking about. I absolutely cannot be having feelings for him. Feelings for Dax would make everything messy and complicated. After running out on his brother, the last thing I want is complicated.
Hell, at this point, I don’t even know if I want anything new, let alone complicated. If I do, it needs to be easy. A nice guy who treats me better than Duncan.
Doesn’t Dax treat you better than Duncan ever has?
I ignore the voice in my head and phone in the pizza order.
I don’t need to be thinking about how well Dax treats me. It’s a moot point because I’ve sworn off all men for good.
Including Dax.
Chapter Eight
DAX
Fuck. That feels good. Really damn good. It’s not like I ignore my workouts during offseason, but I’ve spent more time than usual outside of the gym.
With Chloe.
Once she started planning her wedding, I happily spent every spare second in the gym training when I wasn’t helping her. It helped get my mind off her nuptials.
This summer? I’ve wanted to spend my time with her.
Not that anything is going to happen with her. But a guy can want to hang out with his best friend, right?
I would run, she would work on her jewelry, and we’d hang out at night together. Have dinner. Low-key things thatfriendsdo together.
With offseason activities officially starting, it marks the end of summer.
