Page 65 of The Draft

“Says the guy who’s told everyone Lyss is off-limits.”

My gaze was ping-ponging between the two football players as they spoke. “Wait, who’s Lyss?”

“Alyssa,” Aiden drawled out pointedly, “is the neighbor who keeps pulling pranks on us.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Pretty sure the only reason this prank war started was because you wanted an excuse to rifle through her underwear drawer.”

“That’s just a perk of the job.”

“So, do you like her?”

He didn’t answer, but his pressed lips and clenched jaw did. “Never said that.”

He was holding back, just like Dash.

“Didn’t have to.”

“Hey, Madison. I heard that Lyss was getting cozy with one of the hockey players at The Draft. Maybe you could help me reintroduce them.” Adam had a glint in his eye, and he flicked his gaze to Aiden.

Tight-lipped, Aiden was doing his best to remain calm, but I could see the anger bubbling up in his jaw.

“Did you see who she was talking to, A?” Adam elbowed his friend but got no response. “Ah, you know what? I remember. His name is Scotty Hendricks. Do you know him?”

I smiled brightly. “Oh, yeah, I know him. He’s a great guy—”

“—that Alyssa will never know because she’s mine.” Aiden said thewords so flatly and casually that if you weren’t looking at his face, you’d think he was joking. He wasn’t, and an icy chill ran through my blood just seeing how protective he was of her.

It was kind of sexy, if I was being honest, and something about it reminded me of Dash. I just wished Dash would act like that with me. The only time he acted nearly as possessive was at the football game.

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head, and I looked between Adam and Aiden with a brighter smile than before.

Dash ignored all my flirting with the hockey team because he knew I wasn’t being serious with them. But when I flirted with these guys at The Draft, he was completely different. He was feral and riled up to the hilt. Even just mentioning that I was attending the football game ticked him off enough to escort me, even if the outcome ended up being a shit-show.

Tonight would be different though, because this time, I’d actually be with the football players again. Would he be just as wild if he saw me with them? Onhisturf. It was just too tempting to not find out.

Oh, it was a delicious kind of torture that I was planning on putting my reluctant beau through, and I had to bite my bottom lip just to stop myself from smiling too hard.

“I want to go to the game.” Adam looked at me with surprise. “What? I want to watch my brother.”And see Dash’s reaction when I show up with you guys, but I kept that tidbit to myself.

“You sure?” Adam looked at me with unease.

“Yup. I’ve got to go and watch my brother again sometime. At least you guys can make me feel better about being there. Let’s do this,” I said confidently because this was going to be even more fun than The Draft.

“Go Crushers!” I hollered and clapped, feeling, for the first time in my life, a little out of place. My shoulders knocked against the football players on either side of me while my brother skated around the rink for his warm-up. If I wanted to make an impression with the hockey team tonight, I certainly did that.

Cade did nothing to hide his snarl when he saw me walking in with thetwo athletes. I couldn’t help but smile because if I could so easily convince my brother that I was dating one of these guys, I could only imagine the kinds of thoughts that would run through Dash’s mind.

“Hey!” I hollered when some fabric landed on my head, messing up my hair. Grumbling in annoyance, I pulled it off only to realize it was my brother’s practice jersey.

“Madison.” Cade’s voice took me by surprise, and when I saw him glaring at me from the board, he pointed to his jersey. “Put that on right now.”

I laughed off his annoyance and flitted my hand. “Why would I do that?”

He flicked his gaze at Aiden and then to Adam. “They know why. You’re a Bright. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.”

Then he just glared. Really. He glared at them for just standing next to me. Over-protective asshole.

Adam scoffed, and Aiden mumbled, “Challenge accepted,” before Cade skated off, scowling at the guys as he did it. It was official. My brother needed to get a life.