Read Online Game Changer by Melissa Cutler - Free Book Online Page A

see if the coast was clear for them to turn around, but the first things he saw was Harper’s tits nestled in one of his favorite low-cut tops as she set up the scorekeeper’s table. The second thing he saw was the whites of Kayla’s thighs and the creases of her ass cheeks peeking out from the short shorts she wore as she bent across the table to shake Harper’s hand.
    He whipped his face back to look at the wall. “This’d better be a fast family reunion. I don’t think I can handle much more of this.”
    Duke slipped through the door from the ice to the stands, jogging around the rink to where Kayla stood next to the scorekeeper’s table. “Hey, knuckleheads, stop being rude and come meet my granddaughter.”
    Theo cursed again. Will made a weird strangling sound.
    â€œDamn,” Gabe said.
    All Brandon could think to say was, “Ditto.” Big time.
    The team glided across the ice as though they were traveling through custard. They formed a semicircle on the ice in front of the scorekeeper’s table, their gazes on their skates and sticks.
    â€œTeam, this is my oldest grandchild, Kayla.”
    The greeting was reciprocated by a handful of grunts and halfhearted hellos. The less-than-enthusiastic welcome was embarrassing, so Brandon, as the team captain, manned up. He skated forward, sticking his glove under his arm to pull it off so he could shake her hand.
    â€œGreat to meet you. I’m Brandon.” He even managed a smile, not too big, not too lascivious. Or so he hoped.
    â€œThis is Brandon’s last game. He’s moving soon. Too soon.”
    â€œAh, hello,” Kayla said.
    â€œAnd Will, you remember Kayla, right? I think you’re the only player on the team who’s met her before.”
    Will didn’t look up from his skates but for a solitary, fleeting glance.
    â€œI remember you, Will,” Kayla said. “You’re the guy who lives in my grandpa’s backyard.”
    Duke gave an uncomfortable chuckle. “Saying he lives in my backyard makes him sound like a stray dog.”
    â€œHe kinda is, when you think about it,” Gabe mumbled.
    Will jabbed his stick into Gabe’s side. “Screw you, jackass.”
    Kayla’s hands found her hips as she sized Will up. “Oh, you are alive in there. I wasn’t sure.”
    Will opened and closed his mouth, then hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “Liam was right. I’ve got to go warm up for the game.”
    Most of the players saw their window of opportunity and followed Will, but Brandon figured it was his obligation to stay and represent the team.
    â€œWhat are you doing here, sweetheart?” Duke said. “I mean, don’t get me wrong; you’re a sight for sore eyes, but we didn’t expect to see you until Thanksgiving. Is everything all right?”
    â€œSort of. I’m sorry I sprang this visit on you. I should’ve called. It was a last-minute decision because I need a place to crash for a little while.”
    Duke’s face fell. “Trouble with your folks?”
    Kayla surveyed the crowd around her, namely Harper, Brandon, and a handful of other players, and turned self-conscious. “Yeah. They’re pretty upset with me right now, but we should talk about that after the game. In private.”
    Brandon’s first thought was
uh-oh.
He eyed her bare, flat stomach, wondering how far along a woman had to be before she started showing. He darted a look at Harper, whose eyes widened, though he wasn’t entirely sure what she was emoting to him. Seemed like disgust.
    Was he out of line to wonder if Kayla’s trouble was sex-related?
    â€œYou’re not pregnant, are you?” Duke asked. That set Brandon’s mind at ease. He wasn’t the only one whose mind had gone there.
    Kayla looked outraged, not unlike Harper had looked a moment earlier. “What? No. Of course not. I know how to take care of