#Junkie (GearShark #1)(39)

“I’ve seen better,” she answered.

I laughed out loud. At least she didn’t deny she was looking.

Inside, I kicked off my dress shoes (which were obviously designed by Satan) and motioned for her to shut the door. I hung my jacket nearby and pulled my cell out of my pocket, checking the screen for any texts.

None.

My palm settled over the back of my neck, and I rubbed the tension building there.

The sound of toenails clicking over the hardwood made me smile, and I pocketed my phone just as Prada (my sister’s Chihuahua) bounced into the room, wearing a pink tutu.

The second she saw Joey, she started barking and growling like she was going to eat her.

“Good girl!” I told her and patted her on the head.

“Funny,” Joey replied and crouched down, offering her hand to Prada.

To my surprise, the dog stopped yapping and approached her cautiously. “Animals love me.”

“Forrester, get in here!” yelled a voice from the kitchen.

I smiled. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my brother-in-law.” He’d eat her alive, and it would be so fun to watch.

Braeden was standing in the kitchen with Nova in his arms. Looked like he just finished feeding her because there was food all over the counter and on him.

But there wasn’t a spot on the little angel in his arms.

“You need a shower,” I told him.

Nova grinned at me, her fat baby cheeks rounding out even more.

“There’s my girl!” I said. She leaned her body toward me, and I snatched her out of B’s arms. When the baby snuggled against my shoulder for a few long seconds, my heart felt full.

“Giving your daddy hell I hope.”

She lifted her head and looked up. Her eyes were blue like mine. I still maintained she got them from me and not her mother. They were lined with dark lashes, and the downy hair on her head was completely dark, too. She got that from her father. She had some kind of headband around her head. It was black and white striped and had a giant gold flower on the side. The pants covering her lower half were black and white striped and her T-shirt was white with a big gold hashtag in the center.

Clearly, Ivy had dressed her.

I kissed her cheeks loudly while supporting her head, and she laughed. B cleared his throat and glanced at Joey.

She didn’t wait for me to introduce her. Instead, she stepped forward and offered her hand. “I’m Joey, the driver here to school Drew.”

Oh God. Here we go.

“Aww shit!” Braeden guffawed. “Drew’s getting schooled by a woman?” he cracked and swung to me. “Dude. You’re getting schooled by a girl.”

I covered Nova’s ears and mouthed the words, Screw you, at him.

Braeden chuckled and glanced back at Joey. “I’m Braeden, married to Drew’s sister. Maker of that bundle of cuteness right there.” He pointed at Nova.

Joey smiled. “She’s definitely cute.”

“That’s because my sister made her.” I corrected. “Where is she anyway?”

“Filming a video for her channel,” Braeden answered, dumping the dishes he used in the sink. “She’s trying to get ahead so when I go back to training, she’ll have more free time.”

“What do you do?” Joey asked.

I laughed. “He’s a football player for the Knights.”

“Right,” Joey said. “I should have known that, I guess.”

“No reason to.” B shrugged. I knew without him saying he was glad she had no idea who he was. As a rule, we didn’t bring strangers around the house. Ever. It was too hard to trust people. Most of them just wanted a piece of him or Romeo. Or the girls.

At least now we knew it wouldn’t be an issue to have Joey around, since she would be for the foreseeable future.

“Hey, you mind watching her while I jump in the shower?” He gestured to his shirt, which was still covered in baby food. “Someone didn’t like her dinner.” He glowered at Nova.

She laughed.

“Sure, man, go ahead. After, we’re gonna head out.”

Braeden stopped in the doorway. “Where’s Trent been?”

I wasn’t the only one who noticed his absence. “Stuff going on at the fraternity,” I said.

“I texted him and he didn’t reply. Rome either.” He went on. “You better tell him if he don’t answer soon, we’re gonna ride over there and beat his ass.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything else. I didn’t know what else to say.

When B was gone, Joey spoke. “Trent is your manager, right? The guy at the track the other day?”

“Yeah,” I replied, going to the fridge for a water. I really wanted a beer. But that was a bad example for the little lady in my arms. Plus, we’d probably be out driving tonight.

“I’d like to meet him,” she said, sitting down at the island.

I handed her a water.

“Sure,” I said, perking up a little. “Soon as B’s done, we can drive over to where he lives. I’ll introduce you.”

I wasn’t really doing it for her. I was using her as an excuse to go over there. Just to see him.

Once I made sure he was okay, I could go back to avoiding him.