Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“That woman you’re with, was she the one who was Mallory’s friend? The one who spoke to the police and said she had no recollection of that night?”
My jaw tightens. “Yes.”
“Hm.”
“I have to go.”
“You’re still coming to the club for my birthday,” she says, rather than asking.
“I’ll be there.”
“Good. It’ll give you an opportunity to catch up with Traci,” she says.
“Not going to happen, Mother.”
“Maybe one of the Andrews girls then,” she suggests.
“Not interested.”
“Maybe…”
“See you Sunday, Mother.”
I hang up before she can respond. I turn around to walk back to my table and stop short when I see Nate Crawford in my seat. He’s leaning over Josslyn with a cocky-ass smirk on his face that further sours my mood. She laughs at whatever he says to her, and I ignore the way my eye twitches.
Before I get there, a familiar voice calls out my name. At the sound of it, Josslyn glances over and locks eyes with me. I’m not sure what she sees on my face, but she inches slightly away from Nate. I glance to my left and meet Lachlan and his brother halfway.
“Long time no see, man,” Liam says.
“How’ve you been?” I greet him with a fist bump and quick hug. “I hear congratulations are in order,” I add, remembering Lachlan mention his engagement.
“Thanks.” Liam grins. “She’s a die-hard Canucks fan, but she's also a huge fan of yours.”
My brows rise. “She must be a keeper then.”
“Lee made me get her your Owls jersey before they were even at the arena store,” Lach says.
I feel my lips tug up. “I’ll have to remember to send you a signed one.” I look at Lachlan. “How’s Lyla?”
“Uncomfortable,” he says, looking at his phone quickly, as if his wife might magically call.
“She begged him to get out of the house,” Liam says, laughing at the scowl it earns him.
“She wanted to spend time with her dad and best friends,” Lachlan says.
“She wanted to get you out of her hair,” Liam responds, then looks at me. “He doesn’t let the woman breathe.”
Lachlan rolls his eyes.
“How’s Asher?” Liam asks me suddenly, which earns him a low growl from his brother that we can’t help but laugh at.
“He’s good. Having a baby, actually,” I say.
“That’s great,” Lachlan responds, which makes Liam laugh again.
I shake my head. My soccer-playing cousin and Lyla met years ago when she was living in Rhodes and he showed up for one of her training sessions. Asher—who’s very much like his brother Lucas, in that he can’t help but flirt with everyone—paid too much attention to Lyla. Asher has been in a committed relationship for over five years now, and Lachlan is still not over it.
“I heard you’re here with Josslyn,” Lachlan says casually.
I nod my response and glance back to our table, where fuckboy Nate is still in my seat and Josslyn is currently rolling her eyes at whatever he’s saying.
“That’s quite a statement,” he says, and I look at him again.
“It’s for charity,” I respond.
He raises an eyebrow. “The way you just murdered that guy sitting beside her with one look wasn’t very charitable.”
“She’s a great girl,” Liam says.
“She is.” Lachlan nods and smiles. “Theo thinks he’s going to marry her.”
My chest tightens. “He’s a little too young for her.”
From the way Liam raises an eyebrow and the amused look Lachlan shoots me, I know I didn’t imagine the bite in my tone. Fuck. I look away again, this time my attention lands on Titus, who’s surrounded by a group of men.
“Something going on between the two of you?” Lachlan asks.
I meet his eyes. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends,” he says and looks in her direction. “That guy on the Blaze wants to be more than just friends with her.”
“Didn’t he call Dibs on her earlier?” Liam asks, shaking his head. “I can’t believe they’re still playing that stupid game.”
Lachlan also shakes his head, his lips tugging slightly as he checks his phone again.
“Looks like he’s going to make his move,” Liam says.
My heart, so loud in my ears I can barely make out their words, pounds harder. I don’t want to fall into the trap I know he’s setting, but I can’t help myself. I look. The sight of Nate’s knee pressed against hers and his hand over hers on the table makes me see red, and I move before I know what I’m doing.
30
JOSSLYN
“Why are people saying Nate Crawford called Dibs on you?” Finn asks, his voice a quiet rumble that makes my heart skip.
I meet his intense gaze. “Because he did.”
“Do you know what that is?”
“Everyone knows what it is.” I laugh lightly. “Nate has probably called Dibs on thirty people by now.”
He moves closer and presses his cheek against mine as he brings his lips to my ear. “I don’t like it.”
My stomach dips. “No?”
“Hell no.” He presses the softest kiss just beneath my ear and my entire body heats.