Forbidden Jocks [the step-brother series]

SUNSHINE - Maria

Maria POV

*The gym was a stifling oven**, and I was trapped on the bleachers, bored out of my mind. Watching a basketball team practice was supposed to be exciting, but after the first fifteen minutes, it was anything but. They’d been running in circles for what felt like an eternity, followed by endless rounds of suicides. I could practically feel my brain melting. The only saving grace was the book in my bag. Without it, I might have considered slashing my wrists just to end the torment.

Thirty minutes into practice, and the twins were so engrossed in their ball-handling drills that they probably wouldn't notice if the gym caught fire. Perfect. Coach was gearing up to start a scrimmage, the perfect moment for me to make my escape.

I quietly grabbed my backpack and gym bag, slinging them over my shoulder as I made my way toward the exit. Just as I reached the doors, I heard the whistle blow for the start of the game. My heart pounded in my chest as I slipped out into the hallway. Success.

I wasn’t due at work for another thirty minutes, but maybe getting there early would give me time to enjoy another cup of coffee. The thought of that alone made my pace quicken, the anticipation of the rich, dark brew already making my mouth water.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool morning breeze hit my face, and I instantly felt more at ease. The campus was nearly deserted at this hour, just the way I liked it. There was something peaceful about the empty walkways and the soft rustling of leaves in the trees. For a moment, the stresses of the past few months melted away, leaving me with a rare sense of calm.

By the time I reached the café, I was in a much better mood. James was already there, lifting the metal shutter as he prepared to open for the day. The sound of it clattering up was oddly comforting, a reminder that some things in life were simple and straightforward.

He turned and caught sight of me, and my heart did a little flip in my chest. That smile of his, the one that made his dimples pop, had a way of turning my brain to mush.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said, his voice warm and teasing as always. “You’re in early today. What’s the occasion?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “The twins insisted I ride with them, and since they had morning practice, I ended up here earlier than usual.”

James’s grin widened, a glint of happiness in his eyes. “Well, I’m not complaining. Always nice to have some extra company before the morning rush.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Lucky you.”

He chuckled and gestured for me to come inside. “C’mon in. I’ll get you set up with your caffeine fix. And guess what? Fresh waffles just came out of the oven.”

I followed him inside, the familiar scent of coffee beans and baked goods enveloping me like a warm hug. The café was still quiet, the early morning light filtering through the windows and casting long shadows across the floor. It was a cozy space, small but inviting, with dark wood furniture and soft, mismatched chairs that made it feel like a second home.

I dropped my bags behind the counter and grabbed my uniform from the back room. The tiny changing area was barely big enough to turn around in, but I managed to wriggle into the black apron and adjust my name tag without too much trouble. When I stepped back into the main area, James was already behind the counter, a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me.

“Here you go,” he said, sliding the cup toward me with a grin. “And here’s a waffle. Thought you might like one.”

I took the cup with a grateful smile, inhaling the rich aroma before taking a sip. The hot, bitter liquid spread warmth through my chest, instantly waking me up. “Thanks, James. I needed this.”

He winked at me, his dimpled smile doing dangerous things to my insides. “Anytime, Maria.”

I took a bite of the waffle he offered, the sweet, crispy treat melting in my mouth. Damn, that was good. Maybe coming to work early wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

The morning started slow, just the way I liked it. A few people who seemed like regulars—since James knew their coffee preferences—trickled in. There were two professors I’d seen before, probably in their fifties, who looked deep in conversation over their espressos. I guessed they were either literature or philosophy professors, with the way they argued and scribbled notes in their little leather-bound journals. They barely noticed me as I brought them their usual orders, too caught up in whatever academic debate they were having.

Just as I was starting to relax, enjoying the quiet hum of the café and the steady flow of caffeine in my veins, the door swung open, and in walked the last people I wanted to see: the twins.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, trying to suppress the groan that threatened to escape. Of course, they’d show up now, just when I was starting to enjoy my day. The annoyance must have been written all over my face because James suddenly appeared at my side, his hand resting gently on the small of my back.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. “I’ll deal with your overprotective brothers.”

I opened my mouth to correct him—they’re not my brothers—but the words died in my throat as he gave me a reassuring squeeze and stepped forward to greet them. I watched him go, trying to tamp down the confusing mix of emotions swirling inside me. It wasn’t just annoyance anymore; there was something else there, something I couldn’t quite name.

Whatever, I thought, brushing it off as best I could. Let James deal with them. Better him than me.

Henry was the first to approach the counter, his usual cocky grin firmly in place. Daxton hung back slightly, his gaze flicking to me and then away again, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with himself.

They weren’t sweaty like I expected. In fact, they looked freshly showered, their hair still damp and curling slightly at the ends. The sight of them, all clean and casually dressed, made my pulse quicken. But it was Henry who really got to me. The moment our eyes locked, a wave of heat rushed through me, making my breath hitch. I quickly looked away, pretending to be busy loading the dishwasher.

“Morning,” Henry said with his usual confidence as he sauntered up to the counter, his grin every bit as cocky as ever. Daxton followed, more subdued but still exuding that quiet intensity that was just as unsettling.

“Morning, guys,” James said cheerfully, already reaching for the coffee pot. “What can I get for you?”

“Two black coffees to go, please,” Henry replied, leaning casually against the counter, clearly at ease.

I could feel Daxton’s eyes on me, though he remained silent, his gaze intense and unsettling as always. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and I did my best to keep my head down, focusing on my task and hoping they wouldn’t notice the way my hands shook slightly.

James didn’t miss a beat, nodding as he reached for the cups. “Coming right up. You guys had an early practice today, huh?”

“Yeah,” Henry replied, leaning casually against the counter as if he owned the place. “Coach is really pushing us hard this season. Gotta stay on top of our game.”

Daxton mumbled something in agreement, though he barely looked up. His eyes were fixed on the floor, and I could tell he was doing his best to avoid looking at me, but I could see he was clenching his jaw like crazy. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind, especially after the tension between us lately.

As James prepared their order, I busied myself with wiping down the already spotless counter—anything to keep from having to engage in conversation with them. But I could feel Henry’s eyes on me, his gaze heavy and expectant, like he was waiting for me to acknowledge him.

“Nice to see you, Maria,” Henry said after a moment, his tone taking on a teasing edge. “You weren’t too bored at practice, I hope?”

I shot him a sidelong glance, unable to resist the urge to bite back. “It was riveting, really. I especially enjoyed the part where you ran in circles for thirty minutes.”

Henry chuckled, clearly amused by my sarcasm. “Glad we could entertain you. Next time, we’ll make sure to throw in some backflips.”

“Please don’t,” I muttered under my breath, earning a knowing smile from James as he handed Henry the coffees.

“Here you go, guys. On the house,” James said, his tone friendly but with an underlying firmness that made it clear he was in charge here.

Then, the two professors called him over for a refill, and he had to step away, leaving me alone with the twins. Great.

The moment James was out of earshot, Daxton leaned in close, his voice a low, teasing whisper. “You defied our little suggestion, baby girl. I told you to wait on the bench.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, his piercing gaze making my heart race. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to meet his eyes. “It was getting late. I didn’t have a choice.”

Daxton’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something dark and possessive in his eyes that made my stomach twist. “I don’t care. We’re getting out of class now, and we’ll pick you up at 3:00. We’re heading back home together.”

Before I could respond, Henry stepped in, his voice softer but no less commanding. “Don’t tire yourself out too much, ladybug. We’ve got some plans for later.”

Holy s**t. My mind raced as I watched them walk out of the café, their presence lingering in the air long after they were gone. I was supposed to get through the rest of my shift with that hanging over my head? I wasn’t sure if I should be nervous, excited, or both.

But one thing was clear: keeping up with the twins was going to be a hell of a challenge.