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I ruffled his hair and took his backpack, amazed it was already three "Homework?"

His expression fell "Yeah" His face puckered up like he’d tasted so sour "Do I have to?"

"Yep! You have hockey in an hour, so get it done" I poured hie juice and set it on the counter before putting away the groceries

Two grimaces and three broken pencil tips later, Gus finished his ho a sandwich "Hey, take this up to Mom if you’re done"

"Gotta scrah the upstairs in a flurry of activity Gus had two speeds: full throttle and asleep

I cracked open a bottle of water and congratulated rocery trip

The door slammed, accompanied by the swift click of heels on the floor April sashayed into the kitchen, dropping her backpack, purse, keys, and phone on the island I had just cleared off I bit back my immediate need for her to clean off her crap Hey, was that purse new?

"Look who I found outside," she sang, arching her perfect eyebrows at me She took the cold bottle of water out of my hand and headed up the back stairs

Josh Walker stood in ainst the counter in jeans, a CU hoodie, and backward black hat Holy shit, he looked freaking edible How had I missed how hot he was the last two ti in my kitchen?

"Hey, E else and not jump him, but I went ahead "What are you up to?" I put the island between us, for his own safety

"Just grabbing Gus for practice" His smile was lethal, a mix of boyish charm and pure sex Sex? Like you’d even know What the hell is wrong with you? You have a boyfriend!

"That’suured your et back out there" His understanding softenedto lust after hi him as a person, not just a hot body After about awordlessly, he raised his eyebrows in question "So, what’s for dinner?" he asked, s I’d accuredients I’d bought What was I going to hed in exasperation and sh tuhed, holding ht all the food everyone likes, but nothing we actually needed!" The laughter wouldn’t stop, and o "We have coffee creamer, but no coffee, and tortillas but no cheese"

Josh’s laughter led withit a gentle squeeze "It’s good to see you smile, Ember" The nerves in my skin short-circuited where he touched h? As if on cue, Gus scraer than he was "Ready, Coach?"

"You got it, littlehis hand froethe re captivated by him "Seat belt on, Gus, okay?"

Josh didn’t mock or patronize me, just nodded his head once "You hear that, Gus? Seat belt’s on you"