Page 74 of Defend Her Heart

She finally lets go of my hand and pins me with a look. “Stop thinking whatever you’re thinking. This is a nice placeandshe’s letting me stay for free.”

Fucking money. I get why it’s so important to her. That fuckface ex of hers probably made her sign a prenup, and she said he called her a gold digger. That, on top of the medical bills, it makes sense. It doesn’t mean I have to like knowing she’s hurting for cash. Especially when I have some I’d be more than willing to hand over to her if she asked.

“I didn’t say a word.”

Avery shakes her head. “You didn’t have to. I know you.”

That’s an understatement. No one knows me better than her. I’m about to say as much when a third voice joins our conversation.

“Well, well, well. Connor Smith, as I live and breathe.”

Tamara’s voice causes both Avery and me to smile. When I turn to greet her, her arms are already open for a hug.

Wrapping my arms around her muscular frame, I scoop her up into a bear hug. Once I set her back down on her feet, I keep my hands on her shoulders.

“Tamara Edwards. It’s been far too long. And you live in my city? I’m going to pretend it doesn’t hurt my ego that you’ve never come to a game.” I go to boop her nose, and she swats my hand away.

“Yeah, well, whose fault is that? I seem to remember you were the one who fell off the face of the earth a couple years ago. And I’ve been to plenty of games, you just had no idea.”

Well, damn. She’s got me there. Tamara has always been blunt and outspoken. Her and Avery are similar in that way. I’ve got to respect her calling me out right now.

“You’re right. I’m an asshole. And I’ve been worse off ever since.” The truth I spill causes Tamara to side-eye her best friend. When she looks back at me, she’s wearing a devilish smirk. This should be good.

“I forgive you. My heart broke a little bit too, when this one got engaged. I just didn’t run away like you.”

Well, shit. Leave it to Tamara to let the cat out of the bag.

I’m rubbing my face, trying to hide my laugh, when Avery grabs her best friend by the arm.

“Excuse her, she gets delirious after a long day of work. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

Tamara goes to argue, and I watch Avery scrunch her eyebrows and shoot daggers at her. Tamara pretends not to notice and turns back to me. “So, are you going to take care of my girl while I’m gone?”

Gone? Where the hell is she going?

She must read the confusion on my face because she turns to Avery with a hand on her hip. “You still haven’t asked him? Avery Chamberlin, if I didn’t love you so much, I’d smack the back of your head right now.”

“Whoa. No need to do that. Someone want to fill me in?” I look between the girls and watch Tamara raise an eyebrow at her best friend.

Avery groans, leaning her head back to look at the ceiling before dropping it back down. “Ugh, fine. Tamara needs to fly overseas for a week or two for work. There’s a few athletes she wants to meet with. Niko’s family is in town still and I was wondering?—”

“Yes,” I agree to her staying with me before she can even ask.

The reality of what I just offered doesn’t hit me until I’ve agreed. I wouldn’t just be helping Avery out, she’d be in my space, sleeping in my apartment, existing in the most private parts of my life that I’ve never shared with anyone else before.

She’ll be there when I go to sleep, maybe in my kitchen when she wakes up in the morning. The possibility of sharing something so personal with her makes my pulse quicken.

This is my chance.

Tamara snorts next to me, but I keep my eyes on Avery. “Told you, A,” she says to Avery.

“Are you sure?” Avery asks, concern etching her brows.

“I am absolutely sure you can stay with me while Tamara is gone. I have plenty of room.”

Avery nods, but we don’t say another word. I can feel Tamara’s attention on us but don’t break eye contact. She grabs Avery by the arm.

“Thanks, Connor. She’ll call you tomorrow with details. Now, say good night and stop staring at each other like that.”