Play Along(108)

Miller, and everyone else in Chicago, has no idea that this isn’t a lateral move. I’d become the first female lead doctor in the MLB. I’d gain some financial freedom that’s mine and not accompanied by the Kay name. I’d be in charge of an entire department in a great city with a thriving sports scene.

But thankfully, the back door swings open before I have to answer.

“Well, damn.” Isaiah lets out a low whistle as he drops something into the kitchen sink. “Don’t you four look good.”

“Flirt,” Miller mutters.

“I’m a married man, Montgomery. I don’t flirt.” He bends over the back of my chair as I crane my neck up to look at him. “Except with you. I like flirting with you. You want cheese on your burger?”

“Yes, please.”

“You got it.” He pops a quick kiss on my lips then he’s out to the backyard once again.

My attention swings back to Miller at my side. She doesn’t have to say anything. She’s silently screaming to add that I’d also be giving up Isaiah.

As if it’s not the only thing I’ve thought about this week.





Chapter 29


Isaiah


As the burgers finish on the grill outside, I catch the girls standing from their seats in the house. I can’t hear them, but I can see them all laughing, mainly the short one with auburn hair.

Head tossed back. Pretty throat exposed.

I can’t help but smile as I watch her.

Then I stop, right there with the spatula in hand, and watch my wife open her arms and take the initiative to hug Stevie first, then Indy. Indy towers over her and that just makes them laugh even more.

“You good?” Kai asks, as he steps onto the back patio from putting Max down for the night.

“Did you see that? Kennedy hugging them?”

My brother’s brows furrow, eyes trained on me. “Yeah? What’s the big deal?”

The big deal is that Kennedy, who is self-proclaimed unaccustomed and uncomfortable with affection, just hugged two women who she’s only beginning to know.

And I’m over here watching like the world’s proudest husband because she gave a couple of hugs.

The four of them make their way to the backyard, out to the patio where an outdoor table is set for dinner. The sun has almost entirely gone for the day, but the string lights hung over the table cast plenty of light for me to watch Miller throw an arm over Kennedy’s shoulder as if she were her little sister, even though Kennedy is the older of the two.

Kennedy wraps her arm around Miller’s waist before picking seats next to each other. My sister-in-law grabs a beer from the cooler, holding up a Corona to see if Kennedy wants one too.

She nods in agreement, and suddenly there are four beer bottles laced between Miller’s fingers that she brings back to the table.

“How much do you want to bet that those beers aren’t for us?” I ask my brother at my side as we both watch them, arms crossed over our chests.

“There’s not a chance in hell those second ones are for us.”

“That’s your fiancée,” I remind him.

“And that’s your wife.”

I can’t help the small smile that creeps across my lips. It’s my favorite thing to hear.

Zanders and Ryan bring the burger toppings and condiments to the table, while Kai and I bring the buns and patties, including a vegetarian one for Indy. Rio follows behind with the fries and a bottle of tequila.

“Who wants one?” he asks as I take the empty seat next to Kennedy. “It’s a sipping tequila since you all are getting too old to be throwing back shots.”

“Sorry we’re not twenty-five anymore,” Zanders says.

Stevie holds her hand up. “I can’t. I get really sleepy from tequila.”

“Really?” Miller asks. “I get really horny from tequila.”

“Jesus, woman.” Kai shakes his head. “You’re a mother.”

“Hell yeah, I am.”

“I get really married from tequila.” Kennedy holds out her hand for me to give her a high five.

I connect my hand with hers. “Hell yeah, you do.”

“You guys are cute.” Miller smiles at us from Kennedy’s other side. “Ken, you’re my favorite sister-in-law.”

“She’s your only sister-in-law,” Kai adds.

“And Isaiah, I just freaking live, laugh, love you.”

My attention darts to Kennedy sitting between us, biting that fucking bottom lip to keep from laughing. “You told her?”

She simply shrugs.

I bend to her level, keeping my voice low for only her to hear. “What happened to doctor-patient confidentiality?”

“It doesn’t apply here.”

I narrow my eyes at her, attempting to be mad, but I can’t. I’m so fucking obsessed with the girl that the only thing I can do being this close to her is lean in and kiss her quickly.

“I’m going to use the restroom real quick.” Kennedy stands from her seat as everyone else begins building their burgers.

“You remember where it is?” Indy asks.

“I do. Be right back.”

As soon as she’s in the house, I grab her plate and get her food situated for her so it’s ready to eat as soon as she gets back. With a tomato speared at the end of my fork, I pause with it midway to Kennedy’s plate because it’s far too quiet around me. Looking up, I find every single one of my friends watching me.