The next days later, Myles and I text a lot and kissed a lot in the garden maze. I just had to take my skateboard and leave a note for Brayden on the table, since he's been going out more frequently, too.

On Wednesday, a few days before the playoff final, Brayden's teammates came over. They had used the gym for hours and turned the house upside down with music and laughter. It was fun but in some loud sort of ways. It gave me a headache even when I was in my room. By the time I had to make some sandwiches for myself in the kitchen, I sat on the island stool and watched them taunt each other about video game mastery, and then when Brayden bragged about my video game skills that weren't truly mine, the boys started chanting for me to play a single game with them. I remain stationary and set myself off in fear and trepidation. I swallow and rub my sweaty palms over my knees. Then I heard Myles suggesting a basketball game in the garden for the boys.

Just like that, he set me off the hook. Thankfully, I flash him a smile while he leads them out of the building.

Brayden had been absent-minded around Myles and me. The other day when we left the studio together, Brayden had come home asking why I fled. I just made up some excuses, I don't even remember anymore and he let it slide. He mentioned Autumn coming by and taking Myles's snack box. Then I thought, what was her problem with having my leftovers?

In my brother's kitchen, I decided on a sandwich but then found a beef chili leftover in the fridge and shoved the container into the microwave. While I wait for the timer to go off, I open the balcony door and watch the boys in the garden playing on the basketball court. They had made the game competitive and broken themselves into two groups. Though they were not even, it was four against three, giving Brayden's team a continuous win.

Zion is getting exasperated at the unfair game, arguing and repeatedly wiping off sweat from his forehead with his shirt, while on the other hand, Myles remains composed, laughing at his two teammates, who were clearly irritated by the unfair game. I am carried away by the boys, mostly when Myles takes off his shirt. I forget about my lunch until the smell of burning beef wafts into my nostrils.

Shoot!

On my feet instinctively, rushing over to the microwave to check the status of my lunch, I find it picture manageable. It didn't look very terrible, but there was smoke and it seemed dry for a pot of beef chili.

Sandwich it is.

Nutella sandwich is the quickest I could make. After devouring the first half, I grabbed the last half and followed the stairwell to stretch my legs before joining the boys in the garden.

Vincent was the first to spot me. His face lit up. He calls a timeout and runs off the court over to me.

"What are you doing?" Brayden drawled with his hands on his hips, like the rest of the boys, but Vincent only raised his hand in response.

"Please join our team." He implored when no one could hear him except me.

My lips parted while I thought of the cordial way to tell him I do not know any basketball stunts and that Myles helped me win the video game the other day.

"What's up?" Myles's voice flowed into my head, instantly luring my eyes to his gorgeously fitted torso.

Steady shoulders, bulging pectorals, pack abs that could be counted as eight and flexing biceps as his fingers ran through his hair.

I snap out of the trance when the sandwich in my hand is snatched away. I looked over at him with blinking eyes. He took a huge bite of the sandwich and smiled so charmingly, his throat shifting in the process.

"Here." His upper lips curl up when he holds out a small portion of what is left of my once-large sandwich. I am thirsty for something from him. My stomach is literally stirring with excitement. I collect my lunch back and he stifles an adorable smile.

"Okay? That is not awkward." Vincent said in a robotic tone at witnessing my psychotic behavior.

Myles dropped his hand over Vincent's shoulder, leaning on his friend while wiping his forehead with the other hand, and blood suddenly surged to my face at the view from my standpoint.

Damn, if he isn't a man candy.

"Join our team? You don't have to play. Just give them your smile. Everyone is a sucker for it."

Does he really think that?

I don't care about skills anymore, I would agree to anything he wants, mostly when it involves being around him. So I followed them, thrusting the small sandwich into my mouth.

"What is this?" Bennet and my brother asked in unison.

"Our newest team member." Myles bragged and held out his hand for a high five that I sassily took.

"What? You guys are going to chicken out because you're intimidated?" I sneered, and Weston scoffed while I folded my arms around my chest.

"Argh, Brayden, you're screwed." Weston chuckled, whacking my brother's chiseled chest as he took the ball in his hand.

The ball is tossed to the taller guy, Onions, as the boys address him. He had been benched for the entire season yet still stayed rich somehow.

He dribbles the ball and loses a pass. My team is in possession of it now.

Weston pursued the ball, but Myles just stood still and relaxed, bouncing the ball with just the tips of his fingers, yet he secured it safely, before passing it over to Vincent. The motion was smooth and intriguing.

I gnaw my bottom lip to hide the blush on my face from watching a shirtless Myles control a ball effortlessly. He is hailed as the team's number one for a reason.

Vincent dribbled constantly with each hand, switching back and forth between his left and right while he advanced toward our opposing team, where Brayden sought the ball until it reached my hands.

I did some stunts that my brother's team accuse of fouls and started calling timeout in the game, but I took the opportunity of their drawback and urged Zion to help me up to the hoop.

Before the other team could attack, I was in the air and scored a point.

"We called a timeout. We weren't in the game," Weston argued.

"Then next time stay focused." I mocked and Myles and the rest of the boys on my team snickered.

"Oh, my goodness. Now you're playing dirty?" Bennet accused, and I shrugged at them nonchalantly.

The game continued, this time Myles's team taking the upper hand. I had been flung in the air, hugged by handsome boys after every victory, which voluntarily gave me opportunities to be intimate with a shirtless Myles for the first time and come off unsuspicious. I had fallen purposefully and kicked what should be a basketball with my legs, got the boys to pick me up to shoot into the hoop, and had every other cheat hack I could muster up to succeed.

"That was unfair," Weston said when the game ended, and they were eight goals behind.

Myles grabs his shirt from the public bench and wipes off the sweat from his face while his teammates are headed for the building. I deliberately stalled to move my legs until the boys disappeared into the building and it was just Myles and me.

"You did great. You could teach me some hacks." He playfully said when we started walking slowly.

I looked up at him and giggled. He glanced behind and ahead of us, then side by side before laying a quick kiss on my forehead that gave me goosebumps.

"I am serious. I will need it in the finals," he said as we both laughed.

"You realize my moves are a hundred percent unprofessional?"

"I like unprofessional." He mouthed and winked seductively. I nudged the side of his ribs with my elbow and he chuckled flawlessly.

Watching him is beautiful. I could stand here with him forever. But in reality, it wasn't set to last. Brayden reappears, and the expression on his face at the moment was weird.

"Hey, what are you doing?" He asked. Although I don't know who among us the question is meant for. However, I recognize the flinch and stiffness that abruptly occurred through Myles. His earlier smile slipped off.

Of course, my brother isn't meant to see us.

"We-were just talking about the game," I stuttered.

"Come, let's go." He held out his hand that I had to take.

Then he informed Myles about his visitor, which was my greatest nightmare.

"She came over with your laundry," Brayden broadcast.

I looked back at Myles, and his eyes diverted away from me.

Sure, he is always out of outfits in his wardrobe because his fiance takes them for laundry. Great.

"I am tired," I furiously murmured.

"Let's go order a good meal from your favorite restaurant," Brayden said and squeezed my arms with his hand.

I wasn't thrilled. I was hurting, and I didn't want food. I just need quiet.

We had stepped forward when Myles called Brayden.

"Can you tell Autumn to leave the laundry in my apartment? I am going to see Nelson."

"Like that?" Brayden questioned, his eyes dragging up and down Myles's sweaty figure.

"I have a shirt." He flagged awkwardly. His gaze was apologetic when our eyes met. I looked away and saw my uneasy feet, slightly shuffling on one toe.

"Whatever man." My brother shook his head and turned around with me along in one arm.