Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) by Leigh Ann Lunsford

that department. Want me to defend your honor?” I groan.
    “No thanks. I’ve had enough. Let’s go.” Her giggle warms my chest as I hold Julie tighter. Saylor has lifted up the seat so I can get Julie in her car seat, and I wink at her. “Thanks, Shortstop.”
    “Anytime.” She winks back. I doubt she means that. I give her another hour before she shrinks back in the shell she wears like a badge of honor. I’m wearing her down, but I’m not that good.
    That hour was generous. As we turn onto our street, she starts fidgeting. “Spill it.” I command of her.
    On an exhale, she rushes. “I’m not sleeping with you again.” I fight hard to contain the laughter begging to bubble from my chest. She has no clue my plans for her.
    “I’d rephrase that.”
    Her eyebrows raise, “Excuse me?”
    “Plain English. I said you need to rephrase that.”
    “No, Deacon. I meant what I said.”
    “You may mean you aren’t sleeping with me tonight, but there will be a repeat . . . many more sleepovers. I’m willing to wait for you to admit it, but the outright refusal you give me? That doesn’t work for me.”
    “You’re arrogant.”
    “Maybe so. I’m also realistic. I know what happened last night; you responded to me, and that’s a response I’m gonna work my ass off to get again . . . and again.” I put the Jeep in park and immediately work to get Julie as she sits there pondering what I’ve laid out.
    She sighs and steps down from the Jeep. Before she gets across my yard, I call her. “Saylor, can you help me?” I don’t need help, but I do need her close before this night ends.
    As she rounds the back of the Jeep, I put the car seat down and pull her close. My mouth descends on her before she can protest, my tongue sweeping against her lips and she allows me access. Our tongues swirl and mate for just a few moments. Pulling back too soon, I kiss her nose. “Thank you for tonight,” I whisper against her cheek.
    She steps back and searches my face. I see the smile tugging her lips, begging to be released, but she’s fighting it. “Thank you.” She turns to head home, and I watch every step until she enters her house.
    This is one battle that will take many wars . . . I plan to win every single one.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    If I’m so sure a relationship . . . if Deacon . . . isn’t what I want why does every step from him feel as if my body is weighted? It felt unnatural. It felt wrong. My body fought the distance. I barely get the door shut, and Avery is in my face, “How’d it go?” I don’t answer, and her face falls. “Oh, Saylor.” She pulls me to her and leads me to the couch. Grabbing the tissues, she’s wiping my face, and I didn’t know I had tears falling. This is so chaotic. So hectic. It’s exactly what I didn’t want. I didn’t want to feel.
    “Do you want to talk about it?” I shake my head. She jumps from the couch and reappears with two spoons and a gallon of ice cream. I stare, dumbfounded. “It’s what we do. When one of us is miserable, we commiserate together with ice cream and bad movies. Occasionally we will bash the guy causing the pain, but it’s Deacon, and I love him. I can’t do that part.” I’ve missed out by not having these types of friends.
    “You don’t need to bash. He didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, he did everything right.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Right now, I don’t either.”
    “If you want to talk, I’m here.”
    “I will as soon as I make sense of it.” I dip the spoon in the chocolate treat and begin to eat my emotions. “Where’s Lee Lee?”
    “She was with Mason earlier, and her parents called.” Her nose scrunches.
    “Why does she come home in a bad mood after visiting her parents?”
    “Long story. We all have parents who are best friends. We’ve all grown up together. Lee Lee’s parents are different. Adriane’s were, too. Their fathers are still active military and very regimented. Lee Lee doesn’t get