Page 64 of The Surprise Play

Shit, I was so pissed! How dare that girl speak to her that way.

What the fuck was her problem?

Satch is a sweetheart. She wouldn’t hurt a fly, and she definitely didn’t deserve to be made to feel like a hippo.

But then I got her to smile.

Thank fuck for that.

I was desperate to make her feel better before I left her… and I think I did.

She did a pretty decent yell after a shit ton of coaxing, and that surprised smile on her face after those words came out of her was golden.

Shit, I can’t believe that twig made her feel like a whale.

“Hippo,” I snarl under my breath, still riled that someone dared to insult my lifesaver.

And she’s not even that big.

All that bullshit about me straining a muscle?

Satch isn’t heavy!

Sure, she’s not as skinny as that stick figure is, but she definitely wasn’t weighing me down.

If anything, she was really nice to hold. I like her soft edges. She felt good in my arms, kind of squishy, not all skin and bone like most of the chicks I get with. It was fun wrapping my arms around her and lifting her off her feet. I liked the sound of her giggle in my ear. I loved the look on her face when she finally told me to shut the fuck up.

Turning off the shower, I stand there for a second, watching water slide down the tiles while images from my morning start over on repeat. From the second I saw her nibbling on that muffin in the coffee shop to that moment she walked away from me, shuffling along the very edge of the sidewalk so she didn’t bump into anybody.

“How many times has she been bullied?” I ask the wall, hot anger firing through me once more.

I don’t have time for shitheads who make other people feel inferior. I may be a dumb prick, but I’ve never been an asshole, and I can’t tolerate the fucking filth that came out of that girl’s mouth this morning.

Damn, Satch was just gonna take it like she believed that shit.

Can’t go letting that stand.

A banging on the door snaps me out of my stupor. “Dinner, dude!” Tyrell shouts. “Hurry it up.”

I jump out of the shower and quickly towel myself off. Practice was a light one this afternoon, so I decided to miss the locker room rush and clean up back here. Zoey specially asked if I could eat dinner with the family tonight, so I’m making an effort. I think all the guys are. She’s one persuasive toddler.

It doesn’t take me long to get myself dried and dressed, and I’m soon padding down the stairs and catching the two-year-old torpedo who launches herself at me the second I step into the dining room.

“Wywee!”

“Hey, Cowgirl!” I catch her, tossing her int the air with a laugh and loving her squeals.

“Not so high.” Sienna winces, covering her eyes.

Zander laughs, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead. “She’s okay, Sparks. Wily will always catch her.”

“Yes, I will.” I pull Zoey close and raspberry her neck.

Giggles fill the room as Tyrell and Grady file into it.

“Okay, that’s enough, you two.” Sienna flicks her fingers, beckoning me to put Zoey in her highchair. I do as I’m told, strapping the little wriggler in before taking a seat at the other end of the table.

“Where Carton? Nyah?”