CHARLOTTE-
We settled into the suite like we always did.
– “ག
5 your next
Bags on the white furniture. My room on the left, Luca’s on the right, the shared kitchen in the middle.
Marco’s suite was directly opposite ours across the hall. He did not stay across the hall. He stayed in our living room, talking about beating his little brother tomorrow.
Not the race. Practice. First real running of the weekend.
“I’m going to bury you in the first sector,” Marco said pleasantly. “Just so the cameras have something pretty and the reporters get something exciting to talk about.”
Luca did not look up from his phone. “Fuck off.”
Marco’s eyebrows rose. “Bad mood. Did you not get your morning sex? That usually takes the bad mood out of you.”
I stiffened near the sink.
I had noticed. Luca had not brought a girl over since the night that random one insulted me while wearing his jersey. If I recall, he even threw the jersey away.
Days for him was definitely out of the ordinary. I was surprised. Marco would be surprised too, if he believed it.
“I haven’t seen a new girl around in days,” I said.
Luca hit me with a glare that said to shut up. “I don’t have you around to share my personal business with my brother.”
Marco grinned, delighted. “We’re brothers. I will always know your personal business. But thanks for the heads up, Charlotte. Now I know why his mood is so bad. Tragic. Should we start a fund or hire someone to help?”
“Get out of my suite.”
“I will leave when I feel like it.” He chuckled. “And right now, I feel like talking to Charlotte some more.”
I watched Luca’s shoulders lock again. He had not been himself around Marco since we landed.
Seriously, what was going on with him? Was it truly because he hadn’t had sex in days?
“Smile a little.” Marco said. “Stop being so tense.”
“I’m preparing to beat you.”
“Sure.”
Marco reached for an apple from the bowl. Luca looked like he wanted to throw him off the balcony and
12:24 FN, SEP 25
The Mockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
then apologize to the harbor.
eaned on the counter. “If you two are going to measure laps in my kitchen, at least do it after coffee.”
“See?” Marco pointed at ine. “Funny. I like her. You should spend more time with me Charlotte. I’ve been so lonely. At least he has a best friend with him everywhere he goes.”
“Get your own best friend.” Luca growled.
Marco didn’t seem to take him on.
“Did you call Mum?”
The tension changed the second he mentioned their mother.
Their parents were a subject that made both men uncomfortable.
They could be quite controlling. Luca and Marco kept them at arm’s length except when they were forced into the same room. For birthdays or other celebrations.
“Her birthday,” Marco added, “it was yesterday.”
Luca’s jaw ticked. “I sent a message. I’m sure she’ll tell me about it when we meet in person again.”
Marco grinned. “I called.”
Of course he had. Marco wasn’t like Luca. He gave in more to the pressure.
I thought about it while I moved into the kitchen, leaving them to discuss more about their parents alone. They needed the privacy.
I needed a moment away to figure out what exactly had Luca acting so strangely. Was he still upset about the Olivia thing? For a moment, I thought he’d gotten over it. Maybe I was wrong.
Marco stood, finally. “Practice briefing at four. Charlotte, lunch offer still stands. You must get tired of being around my brother all the time.”
Never. I loved being around Luca. However, I didn’t mention that to his brother.
“She’s busy,” Luca said for me.
Again, I was shocked by that response.
I turned. “Am I?”
Marco laughed all the way to the door. “Apparently you are. But you don’t have to listen to him even though he pays you!”
The door shut.
The suite felt too big.
I opened a cabinet for a glass I did not need. Luca walked into the kitchen behind me.
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12:24 Fri, Sep 25 ) TF.
The Mockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
I could feel him get close and I tried not to freak out. I did not want to drop the glass in panic.
5 vouther
reached over-me as I stretched for a different one and got it for me easily. I gasped at how close he was.
“Don’t you think that skirt is a little too short to be wearing around my brother?”
I spun around as he handed me the glass he’d gotten for me.
I gaped at him. Surprised.
The glass almost slipped. My mouth opened and nothing useful came out. The skirt was the same length I often wore. He had never looked at it. He had never looked at me. It had never been a problem before.
“What?”
He did not repeat it. Just stared at me like I was supposed to agree.
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12:24 Fri, Sep 25 1 TF.
The Hockey Captain’s Unwanted Wife
Dex Morgan
Dex works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.