Brayden Kendricks can shove that bottle of water up his ass for all I care.
If fact, if he bends over, I’ll happily do it for him.
Chapter Ten
Brayden
I really should have anticipated that last maneuver. I know Sydney well enough by now to realize that the final bit probably shoved her right over the edge. It only takes a few seconds for me to catch up as she stomps down the staircase.
“Clearly you’re impatient to spread the good word.” I throw an arm around her shoulder and haul her close. “I can see it now...football legend and soccer all-star crowned Western’s most adorable couple.”
“I think Demi and Rowan have that title locked down tight,” she says, keeping her attention focused in front of her.
Well, she’s probably right about that. Those two are so damn cute that my teeth ache just looking at them. The quarterback finally had the balls to go after the coach’s daughter. And he didn’t get killed or benched. Looks like it all turned out for Rowan.
I snake my arm around Sydney’s waist before dragging her closer. “Oh, I think we could give them a run for their money.”
She snorts. “Except they’re the real deal and we’re...not.”
True, but still...
As soon as we come into view, a loud cheer rises from the assembled crowd. It’s like they were waiting for us to make an encore appearance. Sydney stumbles. It’s a good thing my arm is wrapped around her, or she would have tripped and fallen.
“Hey, that was quick!” some asshole yells.
“What was that? Like two seconds, Kendricks?” another guy shouts.
Ha-ha. Very funny, fuckers.
“See? I told you,” I grumble near her ear. “Now you’ve done irreparable damage to my reputation by not waiting five damn minutes.”
Sydney narrows her eyes and gives me a well-honed death stare. If I’m smart, I’ll tread lightly. She’s liable to get so pissed that she blows our cover to smithereens. But I can’t help myself. For some perverse reason, I enjoy riling her up. It’s a challenge to see just how far I can push her before she snaps. It would seem like tonight, her patience is stretched thinner than usual.
“Aww, poor baby,” she says with a faux pout. “Would you like to end this now? I’d be more than happy to part ways before it ever starts,” she grits through clenched teeth and points. “Oh look, there’s your friendly neighborhood stalker. Should I inform her that it was all a joke to make her jelly?”
My eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t dare.”
What am I saying?
Of course she would.
I wouldn’t put anything past Sydney when she gets fired up. Strangely enough, it’s one of the things that attracts me. The girl is a real firecracker. You never know what she’s going to do.
“Try me,” she growls.
“Fine,” I mutter, backing down. I’m afraid of what her reaction will be if I call her bluff. “I’ll just tell them that you drive me crazy, and I can’t control myself around you. Happy?”
“Thrilled.”
Funny...she doesn’t sound it.
As soon as we step off the last tread, people gather around the staircase, bombarding us with questions.
My sister shoves her way through the mass of bodies before throwing her arms around Sydney and pulling her in for a quick hug.
“OMG, this is so exciting! I can’t believe my brother is actually dating someone! He never said a word! Our mom is forever trying to fix Bray up with her friends’ daughters.” Elle pulls back enough to search Sydney’s dazed expression. “Maybe you can meet her next weekend? Does that work for you?”
I have to bite back a groan.
Sydney looks completely shell-shocked. Like she doesn’t know what to make of the girl who now has her in a death grip. It’s amusing in a not-so-funny kind of way. There is no doubt in my mind that she would probably punch me in the face if I started laughing.
“Ummm,” she says, looking like a deer trapped in the bright glare of oncoming headlights.
“You know what, squirt,” I cut into the conversation, “how about we hold off on that for the time being?”
“Why?” She frowns. “Mom is dying to meet her.”
“How can Mom be dying to meet someone she doesn’t even know about?” My eyes narrow. “Unless you already opened your big mouth?”
An innocent smile curls around the edges of my sister’s lips as she lifts a shoulder. “Does it really matter how she found out?”
“Please tell me you didn’t call her.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Could this get any worse?
“Of course I didn’t!” she shoots back, as if offended. “I texted. She’s thrilled, by the way.”
Sydney makes a choking sound deep in her throat.
Elle blinks, excited gaze bouncing between us. “Let’s not talk about how Mom found out. I’d rather discuss how you two lovebirds got together.”
Sydney’s wide green eyes flicker to mine in alarm. I suppose that’s something we should have discussed before trekking downstairs. And we probably would have if Sydney hadn’t been in such an all-fire rush to escape my evil clutches.