Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts

drooling over their school
teachers. “Let me just text my brothers. Do you mind taking me home after?”
    “Love
to, if you don’t mind riding in the little beast again.”
    “Sure.”
She’d ride in a manure truck if it meant spending time with him.
    She
texted her brothers while he texted Jamison. Ran into a friend, I’ll catch a
ride home. No reason to tell them it was a male friend.
    They
turned toward Tina’s Place and walked quickly along the cleared sidewalk. Ty’s
strong arm brushing against her brought butterflies to her stomach. “I
should’ve asked if you’d be coming home with Jamison.”
    “I
didn’t know you knew him.”
    “I
don’t very well, he’s the same age as my brother.”
    “His
family’s been great,” Ty said. “His mom understands why I’m such a wimp about
not going home and she’s been spoiling me.”
    “I’d
kind of like to see you being wimpy.”
    “It’s
an attractive look for me.”
    “Anything
would be.” Kazlyn blushed and looked away, but not before she caught his grin.
    He
held the door for her and asked Tina for a corner booth. The darling brunette,
who ran the café with her husband, hugged Kazlyn and welcomed her home before
looking Ty up and down a few times. She smiled coquettishly. “Sure, handsome,
whatever you want.”
    Kazlyn
bristled, even though she knew Tina was overly friendly with everyone and
completely committed to her husband. Ty placed his hand on Kazlyn’s back and
escorted her to the table after responding kindly to Tina. He must be so used
to getting hit on, he didn’t even bat an eye.
    Kazlyn
scooted into the booth and Ty slid in next to her. They both took off their
coats. She smiled up at him.
    “I’ve
missed you.” He took her hand.
    “I
missed me, too! I mean, I missed you not I missed me. Well, you know what I
mean.” She shook her head. It had only been two days, but she didn’t know if
she could stand to be parted from his grin and warmth again.
    “I
do.” He laughed and squeezed her fingers.
    The
waitress came and they ordered hot cocoas.
    “How
is it being home?” Ty asked.
    “I
love it,” she gushed. “My brothers are so fun and my mom is just baking up a
storm. Plus there’s no school stress.” She looked at their hands. “Sorry. That
was insensitive of me when you can’t be home.”
    “No.
I’m glad you love it.” Ty studied her. “You didn’t mention your dad. Blake,
wasn’t it?”
    The
waitress brought their hot cocoas. Kazlyn pulled her hand from Ty’s and wrapped
them both around the mug. “My dad passed away three years ago.”
    There
was silence. She finally glanced up. Ty’s empathetic look had her lip
quivering. “Oh, Kazzy.” He slid closer to her and wrapped an arm around her
shoulder. Kazlyn leaned into his strength and didn’t even care that a few tears
slid down her cheeks. “I know how hard it is.” He rubbed his large palm up and
down her arm.
    “You
do know.” She brushed the wetness from her cheeks.
    He
nodded. His gaze didn’t leave hers. Kazlyn felt awful for wishing he would kiss
her, but maybe that was an appropriate way to alleviate grief. She hadn’t tried
it before, but at the moment it sounded like a wonderful idea. She arched up to
meet him. His lips connected with hers, sending thrills of pleasure throughout
her body.
    “Kazlyn!”
Luke’s growl cut into the moment.
    Kazlyn
jerked away. Ty gave her shoulder a squeeze and then released her to stand and
face her angry brothers. Ty held his hand out. “Hi, I’m Ty. Luke and Porter?”
    Luke
blinked at him and folded his arms across his broad chest.
    Porter’s
eyebrows rose. “We’ve got a brave one on our hands, eh?”
    Kazlyn
slid quickly out of the booth and squeezed in front of him, forming a shield
from her overprotective brothers. “This is my friend, Ty, and I expect you to
treat him nicely.”
    Luke
glanced over at Porter. “How many friends do you snuggle in a booth with and
kiss in public