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BODHI

Since Navy went to her room, I’ve cleaned the stovetop in the kitchen close to fifty times, but it still doesn’t feel clean enough.

My hands reek of multi-purpose cleaner, and the itch to scrub them clean isn’t even there.

I can’t think straight.

I clean when I’m stressed, and rest assured, this bitch is sparkling.

Cleaning and busyness, in general, is how I process and regroup. However, regrouping is not what I feel happening to my thoughts right now.

More like fighting the urge to run up to Navy’s room, throw her on the bed, and claim her for myself. To tattoo my name on her fucking skin so that Briggs knows who she belongs to.

More than that, it makes me miss her so damn much. I miss the quiet moments we had together where she told me about her day and I told her about mine. When Navy was still with Luke, we were friends. Friends who checked on each other and became a safety point for one another.

I can’t be reckless.

The small part of me that knows I have no choice but to keep the peace and accept her as a friend is at constant odds with the side of me that wants to love her.

But I can’t do that. Not only because I’ve already ruined my chances but also because Navy’s brother, Callaway, is currently chilling on my couch.

Cal texted the group chat shortly after Navy left us by the hot tub, saying he was on his way over. Kodi has plans with a new friend tonight, leaving him free time to hang out.

As frustrated as I am, I’m stoked to chill with my boy.

But I will be anxiously watching the clock for Navy to get back home.

I won’t be sleeping tonight; I can promise myself that.

I won’t know peace until I confirm for myself she’s safe, unharmed, and untouched—emphasis on the untouched.

“You scrub that any harder—the glass might shatter,” Callaway announces, sneaking up on me in the kitchen.

I turn to face my best friend. Callaway is tall, like most of us, close to six-four in height, strong, and lean. He puts in work in the gym, making him the best starting pitcher in the League.

Before Kodi, Cal had the ladies dropping to their knees over him. Evidently, black hair, tattoos, and some scruff are catnip to women.

I, however, have never seen him happier than he is with Kodi.

It helps that she’s his sister’s best friend, a thing that Navy had to learn to accept earlier this year, but ended up being the best thing to ever happen to Cal.

“Oh. Right. Trying to clean up around here,” I respond.

Cal laughs and takes a seat at the kitchen island. “So what’s new with you, man? It’s weird not seeing you guys every day. What have I missed?”

Oh, nothing. Only how obsessed I am with your sister, I can’t have her, but I want her. My therapist thinks I’m fucked up, and I still have nightmares. It’s another day in the neighborhood, my friend…

“Not much. We’ve been chillin’. How are things with you? You and Kodi getting settled in?” Most of us call Dakota by her nickname, Kodi. She’s one of the most down-to-earth and cool chicks I’ve ever met.

She fits well with Cal.

Before they got engaged, Cal purchased Kodi’s old family home that her deceased parents left for her. They’ve been renovating it for the last few months and are now getting settled enough to enjoy it.

Cal rubs at his beard. “Things are great, man. Marriage is fucking incredible. I didn’t think I could love that woman more than I did before we were married. I was wrong.” He’s practically glowing and shit. It looks good on him.

“I’m happy for you, man. You both deserve it.”

“Thanks, B.”

I haven’t had anyone call me B since Navy stopped. Cal and Navy Hayes are the only ones who have ever used that nickname for me, and it’s fitting because they have always been like family.

I nod in silent recognition before grabbing a beer for Cal and water for me, then sit beside him. “We’re gonna have a housewarming party,” Cal says.

“That’s great, man. You know I’ll be there.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “Good, because there’s someone I want to introduce you to.”

Not again. That has my defenses rising.

The guys have tried to set me up in the past and let’s just say…things didn’t work out. It seems my reserve makes women run in the opposite direction.

Cal sends me a small smirk. He knows I’m hesitant to meet new people. Hell, I can barely tolerate the people I live with. “Who?” I ask, sending him a weary look.

“Okay, don’t freak out. Her name is Poppy. Kodi met her a few weeks ago when we hired her to do some interior design work on the house. They hit it off right away, and she’s coming to the party.”

I’m still not catching on to how this involves me.

“And you want me to meet her because…?” I’m not stupid, but I need to hear him say it.

“Because I want to see you meet someone, B. She’s a pretty girl, and she’s single. What do you have to lose?”

Everything. Navy. Shit, I don’t know.

I get where Cal is coming from—he wants to see me happy. But I was…with his sister. Maybe this is the next step I need to force myself to take to get over her. I mean, she’s about to go on a date with fucking Crew Briggs. I need to move on somehow.

I’m mentally starting to feel somewhat better. Not close to being completely rebuilt, but at least enough to open myself up to the possibility a bit. “I don’t know, Cal.”

“Why not? B, you can’t hide in this house with your books and never meet anyone. I’m worried about you.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I told you I’m working on it.”

One thing about Cal is that he’s passionate when he cares about something. “And I’m so fucking proud of you, man. But you deserve more from life than barely living. Give her a shot. Meet her, see how you click, and I’ll drop it if you aren’t vibing.”

I can see this is important to him. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to meet Poppy. If Cal and Kodi see something in her, she must be a decent woman.

“Fine. You can introduce us.”

“Fuck yeah!” Cal shouts and echoes his excitement throughout the house. King, Gus, and Mack are so engrossed in the football game they’re streaming that even Cal’s jolt of excitement doesn’t faze them.

“Dude, think about it…we could double date and travel to away games together if it works out between you two.”

I give him a death stare. He’s too fucking optimistic.

“Let’s get through introductions before we start planning date number fifty,” I tell him sternly.

Cal holds his hands up in surrender as a wildly pessimistic smile fills his face. “Right. Absolutely.”

I take a moment to recollect myself before the sound of footsteps descending the stairs steals my attention.

At the turn of my head, wild, silky red hair and the body of a goddess calls to me.

Navy looks fucking edible.

Her long legs are wrapped in skin-tight black jeans that look so fitted, I wonder if she can breathe. A lime green lace bodysuit hugs her toned frame, with the lace details covering her luscious tits and see-through mesh lining the body of it.

Holy hell. I can see every crevice of her slim stomach.

Navy wears sky-high lime green heels that make her legs look longer and more toned. The luxury fabric holding her allows me to see every inch of her beautiful curves, sculpted to perfection.

She looks good enough to eat.

Her bouncy red curls highlight her delicate features so carefully—like an erotic angel.

The gravity of her beauty is not lost on me, nor is the fact that she’s about to leave this house in likely the least modest outfit she owns for Briggs to devour.

I don’t have it in me to bite my tongue.

A growl threatens to escape me as Navy draws closer to where Cal and I are seated. His attention is on her like mine is, yet we are thinking very differently.

“You look great, little sister,” Cal comments, while I say, “Nope. Go change.”

Instead of entertaining her brother, Navy and Cal jerk their heads in my direction, giving me a look that could kill.

I make no apologies.

Without acknowledging them, I scoot my chair out and casually walk to the fridge, ignoring them altogether.

“Excuse me, Bodhi. I don’t think I heard you clearly. What was that?” Navy calls out to me, her heeled footsteps heading in my direction.

I grab a Greek yogurt from the fridge and slam open the silverware drawer for a spoon. After securing the utensil, I hastily open my yogurt and turn to face Navy head-on.

She’s pissed. And she’s never looked more like herself.

Navy fired up and angry is downright sexy.

She’s in complete control of her actions and faces challenges in stride.

A wicked grin paints my face, and suddenly I don’t care that Callaway is watching our encounter play out.

“I said…go change. That outfit isn’t very dinner-and-a-movie appropriate, wouldn’t you agree?” I point at her from top to bottom with my spoon. There’s a sinful edge to my voice, and I hope she realizes how dead fucking serious I am.

“Why the sudden issue with my outfit, Bodhi?” A sinister smile stretches across Navy’s face as she settles in front of me with her arms crossed in annoyance.

She’s tall, but I’m taller.

I stand straighter, hoping to let some intimidation from my size reign down on her, at least enough to encourage her to comply.

However, Navy is impenetrable. She’s a goddamn queen, and I have to force myself not to lay down on her throne.

What a glorious place that would be, though.

“B, lay off,” Cal says from behind us in a sarcastic tone. He thinks I’m giving Navy a hard time…being brotherly .

Not a chance. I’ve never been more dead set on anything.

“I think you’re better off leaving things…covered. Leave more to the imagination, ya know?” I’m being a prick, and I know that. But I’ll be damned if she thinks I’m cool with her leaving this house with that much skin on display—for him.

I’m slightly shocked that Cal isn’t bothered by it either. I think deep down, he’s happy to see her putting herself out there again.

Navy sucks in a deep breath as I fill my spoon to the brim with key lime yogurt. I take a slow bite before methodically pulling it out, letting her see my tongue swipe the scooped end clean.

“Mhm, fucking delicious,” I moan quietly enough so only she can hear me.

Navy is lost in a trance momentarily before quickly snapping out of it and casting me a playful smile. She’s working hard to play off our little feud and I’m unsure where this will go next.

“You know what,” Navy says, slowly backing away from me. “You’re right. I’ll get right on that, catcher.”

I stand still as she effortlessly marches herself up the stairs and out of sight.

“What did you do?” Cal asks me, looking more confused than ever.

“I’m only showing her some brotherly love.” I grin.

Sure. Let’s call it that.