Page 43 of Property of Player

I wish I had the courage to tell him everything. Though my job is great, ife in Norfolk has been anything but happy for me.

Chapter twelve

Player

Istroke Taylor’s back and stare at the ceiling. She’s gotten quiet and I don’t know why. Maybe a story from our past will draw her smile again. “Remember that time you made me take you out in the canoe at midnight because you wanted to see some meteor shower?”

She laughs softly.

I dip my head to catch her eyes, and it seems like just yesterday. She’s smiling, and I know she’s remembering it all, too. “I stood up and pointed at a shooting star, and the canoe tipped over.”

“We were soaked. We had to sneak you into your parents’ laundry room and hide your wet clothes.”

“I snuck upstairs in my sister’s track suit.”

“While I had to paddle home soaking wet. Beck caught me sneaking in and threatened to rat me out. He used that as blackmail for months.”

“Up until we flipped the canoe, it was a fun evening.” She giggles. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Anything to make you happy.”

I glide my fingertips along her back, content having her in my arms.

“I wish it had never ended,” she whispers so softly I almost miss it.

I rub her back until I hear her breathing change and know she’s drifted off to sleep. I stroke her silky hair and wonder how she’d react if I ever told her that her brother was the reason we had to break up.

My phone goes off, and Taylor awakens.

God dammit.

I twist and grab it off the nightstand. It’s a text from Drae.

DRAE: Girl that I know just saw your sister at Bally’s.

I sit up, my fingers flashing over the screen with a response.

ME: Bally’s? Clear up in Dover? What the fuck is she doing there?

DRAE: Tiffany said she’s at the Thunder Down Under show, and Sissy is sitting at the next table. She just texted me this picture.

A photo comes through with my baby sister clearly sitting at the table and half-naked men dancing on the stage behind her.

ME: WTF? She’s not old enough to get into a show like that.

DRAE: Don’t know. You want to handle this or want me to call Gage?

ME: Fuck no. I’ll deal with it. You up for a ride?

DRAE: Sure. I’ll meet you at the Exxon in fifteen minutes.

I toss my phone onto the nightstand and roll to Taylor, moving over her to kiss her. “I’m sorry that woke you. I’ve got to go rescue my sister. Stay here and keep the bed warm. Hopefully, it won’t take more than an hour or two.”

She looks stricken. “You’re leaving? Maybe I should go home.”

“Don’t even think about it. I’m not done with you yet, angel, and knowing you’re waiting in my bed is the only thing that’s keeping me from murdering my sister.”

She gives me a cute grin. “Okay, then I’ll stay.”