The Guy in the Middle (The Underdogs 3)

“Okay.”

Eyes watering, I make my way out of the barn into the cold and realize the temperature here is a hell of a lot more frigid than it was in New York.

Maybe it’s too late.

Harper

A loud screech comes from my bedroom window, jarring me from a dead sleep. I fall from the bed onto the freezing hardwood floor.

“Jesus Christ!”

I pat down my body to make sure I’m not bleeding or broken as deep chuckles come from the other side of the window. I open it to see Lance holding a rooster, laughing hysterically along with Trevor. I open the window letting in the freezing air, ready to pummel them both.

“You assholes!”

Lance’s laughter dies in his throat as Trevor’s eyes bulge. In the next second, the rooster is set free, and Lance is covering Trevor’s eyes with his hands.

“Harper,” Lance barks, “your titty popped out.”

Trevor fights Lance’s hold as I look down and see one of my boobs came free from my sports bra during my fall.

“I could use a morning feeding,” Trevor laughs hysterically, pulling desperately at his brother’s hands as I adjust myself.

“Get your chores done and get to school.”

“Talk about backfire,” Trevor says when Lance lets him go. He grins at me with his brother’s breathtaking smile, and it tugs on my heart. “Morning, my lady.”

I roll my eyes, unable to help my grin. “Morning, handsome.”

“Sorry about that,” he offers, stepping up to the window and nodding toward Lance, “wasn’t my idea.”

I glare at the man standing next to him in a grey, long john shirt and black marshmallow vest. A beanie covers his thick dark hair enhancing the chiseled, strong lines of his jaw. “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

“So,” Trevor says, looking between us, “see you after a while?”

“I’ll be here,” I say defiantly, meeting the eyes of my ex. His nostrils flare, and he shakes his head.

“Wouldn’t count on it, brother.”

“Oh, I’ll be here,” I assure Trevor.

“Damn, I don’t want to leave,” Trevor says, grinning between us before biting his lip. “Maybe later tonight, you can tuck me in and tell me a bedtime sto—”

“Chores, school,” Lance barks out, pushing him out of view.

“Fine, man, I’m going, Jesus.”

Trevor takes off, and Lance and I stand there awkwardly on opposite sides of the window. It’s barely daybreak and I’m not sure I’ve witnessed a sunrise in years.

“Thanks for that, friend. A cup of coffee would have been far nicer.”

“Sorry, couldn’t resist.” His grin is devilish and infuriating. He’s declared himself on the wrong side of the welcoming committee.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

He shrugs. “No idea. You don’t work here.”

“Do now. I’ll be out in twenty to help.”