Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) Read Online Free

“What time you heading home?”
    “About an hour or so. Julie is asleep, so whenever she gets up.” My eyes gravitate to her, and she is staring at the ground. Didn’t know grass was so interesting.
    “Let’s meet at Bonefish and eat. Lee Lee was summoned home while we were at lunch. I’ll call her and see if she’s game.”
    Mason joins us. “She isn’t gonna be able to come. Just hung up and they are having family time.” He rolls his eyes, as we all know it’s a cover. That is one divided family.
    “Sounds good,” I let them know.
    Caden tosses his baseball in the air. “I’ll drive. I’ve got room for all four of us.” Saylor’s head snaps up.
    “I’m not going.” Her cheeks are red, and her eyes are darting everywhere.
    “Yeah you are, new girl.” His trademark smirk isn’t working with this girl. She’s chomping at the bit to put him in his place, but she won’t. “We need to do some hazing.”
    Turning to Avery, “I don’t want to go. I’ve got stuff to do.” Her voice sounds panicked.
    Caden won’t let her off the hook, “You bailed last night on the party.” Interesting. “Tonight, what’s your excuse?”
    “I have some paperwork to turn in for my scholarship.” I didn’t know she was here on scholarship.
    “Dinner’s on me,” I offer, wondering if money is a deterrent for her.
    “Thanks but that isn’t needed.” She bristles, and it turns me on. The defiance in her eyes, the stance she’s taken. Hot as fuck.
    “Saylor, it’ll be an early night. We can’t get wild in the town we grew up in. Our parents would kill us.” Avery is begging. She must be good people if Avery has taken to her.
    Mason joins, “Come on. We all live next door to each other, you’re the newbie. We need to get to know you.”
    “Don’t break my heart,” Caden flirts, and I want to punch my best friend in the face.
    “Holy shit. Okay, but promise me we won’t be late. I really have to finish this paperwork.”
    I flash Caden a warning look before promising her. “I promise Caden will have you home at a decent hour and won’t pressure you into staying out longer than you want.”
    “Damn, DD. You’re breaking father mode out on me.”
    “Shut up.” Avery slaps him.
    “DD? Designated Driver?” All of us laugh, mine in embarrassment because I know what is coming.
    “Nah, newbie,” Mason smiles. “DD. Deacon Douglas. Dirty Dawg. Delicious Dick. Take your pick.”
    “Please tell me you’re joking. Delicious Dick? Mason, I didn’t know you swung that way. Emberlee not enough?” She just fucking put him in his place, and my cock is hard as a rock.
    Avery is snorting, Caden razing Mason, Mason staring as Saylor is stupefied, and I just fell in love. Not real love, but deep lust. Real deep. “See y’all at six?” I back away. I need to make an escape before my cock begs me to let him go on an expedition.
    “See ya,” everyone but her calls. She is looking down again, uncomfortable. Game on, Saylor. If I make her feel uneasy without trying, I can only imagine her blush and shyness when I turn on the charm—that’s something I’m looking forward to.
    As she hurries to catch up, she stumbles and without thinking, I sprint to catch her. She wasn’t in any danger of falling, but the need to touch her overcomes me. My fingers wrap around her upper arm, she’s so tiny the tips overlap as my hand circles her. I place my other hand on her shoulder, acting like I’m steadying her when in reality I’m stabilizing myself. An inferno has spread up my arms, burning the skin, setting my body ablaze. Her gasp draws my attention to her; eyes wide, the green is vivid with flecks of gold. She’s staring where my hand is resting against her arm, mouth agape, breathing rapid. Clearing my throat, “You okay?”
    “Fine.” Her tone is clipped, and she won’t look at me. That pisses me off.
    “Sorry. Just trying to help. Didn’t want you impaling yourself with a branch on my watch.” Her