“Always have been.” He clears his throat.
“Always?”
“When I say she doesn’t know I exist, I mean in a way other than a friend. We grew up together, but she’s not into basketball, or parties or anything. She doesn’t fit in with this crowd. She’s smart though. Like, super smart. Her head is always in a book, she’s always studying or reading. She’s shy and keeps to herself. I don’t want to tell her I want more because I’d rather have her as my friend than scare her off and lose her forever.”
Oh, my heart. It flutters hard in my ribcage and I swoon a little. But damn, I hope one day I find someone that loves me like that.
“Why is Rome so set on pushing you into something you’re not ready for?”
“He likes to stir shit, cause trouble. He’s a rich little prick who gets entertainment from other people’s suffering. He was probably hoping this bet would cause a rift between you and Colt, too.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Other people’s misery is the perfect entertainment.”
What a jerk.
I don’t know much about Rome, but from what I do know, this doesn’t surprise me at all.
“Wanna mess with him a little?” I say before my brain can process my thoughts.
“What?” Austin chews the corner of his lip.
“Rome deserves a little of his own medicine,” I muse, glancing around Austin again and over at Rome and Colt.
I’m not impressed Colt put me in this position, but I’m willing to forgive him if the cash he wins saves his dad some money. But he’s always pulling stupid stunts and I let him get away with it each time because it’s who he is. Now though, he’s dragged Austin into it, and I kind of want to mess with them a bit.
Austin’s brown eyes sparkle, and he brushes a lock of black hair out of his face. “What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know yet. Make Rome think he will win, and Colt think he will lose. He thinks you have no chance with me.”
Austin arches one eyebrow. “Really?”
“You don’t, no offense. But that’s why he took the bet. He knew it was a sure thing. So screwing with him will be hard, and I doubt he’ll believe it, but it’s worth a shot.”
“But Rome?”
I grin up at Austin. “We knock him down a peg or two. Make him believe he will win and rip it away from him at the last moment.”
Austin grins. “You’re evil. I like it.”
I peer over at Rome and Colt and bite back a smile. Rome is standing tall, proud, his chest puffed out full of confidence that he will win. Colt’s glare is hard, as though he’s imagining a thousand ways to kill Austin.
He’ll do everything he can to ensure I don’t sleep with Austin and lose him two thousand dollars. He should know me better than that though. Like I’d risk that much money. Not when I owe his dad everything.
“Now, ask me for my phone number and watch all hell break loose.” I chew on my bottom lip, wondering if I’m making the right decision, but before I can change my mind, Austin does as I say and pulls out his phone.
This is probably the worst idea in the world. How can I be sure if Austin is trustworthy? What if this is all part of his master plan to get me into bed? But then, I think about the way he spoke about her, the girl he’s loved his entire life and I know he’s being truthful with me.
“Can I have your number?” he asks, shifting to the side so he can hand me his phone, ensuring both Colt and Rome see.
“Sure.” I take his phone from his hand and type in my number before calling myself so I have his number. Then I hand him back his phone.
“So, what now?” He tucks his hands into his pockets and rocks on his heels.
“Wait for it.” I tap my hand on his chest, knowing what’s coming next.
9
Colt
The girl... Lexi, Lani, Lou-Anne or some shit, I can’t remember her name, leans in and places her hand on my chest, giggling at nothing. I drop my eyes to hers, and she licks her lips, pressing her tits into me and fluttering her eyelashes. My gaze drops lower. I can see right down the top of her skin-tight red dress, and if it weren’t for the fact Austin was across the room exchanging phone numbers with Em, I might have taken Lola up on her offer to rock my world like I rocked the court.
Yeah, that’s what she said.
I mean, she could try but no one has rocked my world, yet. Besides, I’m too focused on the way Em smiles at Austin, the way he lowers his head to her ear to speak to her, the way her fingers dance over his phone screen, and splay across his chest as she laughs, her eyes alight with something I rarely see. Excitement.
It’s like a punch in the nuts, seeing that spark on her face. The same spark only I can ignite in her. Only this time, it’s not me. It’s him. I growl and grip Lyn’s arms in a vice-like grip. A squeal escapes her lips before a soft purr sounds in the back of her throat as she leans up on her toes and tries to lick my earlobe.
I shudder and push her back, firm enough she knows she’s not wanted, gentle enough that I don’t throw her to the floor in my haste to get to Em before she does something she regrets.
Like fucking Austin.
Rome cuts me off as I move toward them. “No interruptions.” He presses his fists into my chest, stopping me from moving farther.
I stare at him. My jaw tight, my fists clenched at my sides. I’ll knock his ass down if I need to.
“Colt, baby. Come celebrate with me,” Lesley’s whiny voice is in my ear.
“Not in the mood to celebrate. But Rome, he can go all night. Really enjoys a good celebration.” I step to the side and smirk at Rome as Lydia latches onto him, digging her talons into his chest so hard he winces. She doesn’t care who she sleeps with, as long as they play ball. It takes Rome all of three seconds before he lifts her up, throws her over his shoulder caveman-style, and stalks up the stairs.
I smile to myself. Happy.
My good deed is completed. I should start a matchmaking service. Sounds better than pimping at least. A little classier.
I’m ready to grab Em and get the hell out of this place. Twenty minutes is about all I can handle.
I push through the people milling around, my eyes trained on Emerson as she focuses all her attention on Austin.
Jesus, fuck. She’ll lose me a lot of money if I don’t drag her away from him soon. I was sure this would be easy cash, a safe bet, but the way she’s smiling at him and letting him touch her tells me otherwise.
I’m happy she’s comfortable and at ease around him, because if anyone needs a good dicking, it’s her, but why can’t she wait until after I win the damn bet.
I close the distance between us and without a word to either of them, I wrap my fingers around Em’s wrist and tug her to me, putting her small frame behind my body; protected, safe, where she belongs. Her fingers dig into my arm and she lets out a shuddering breath. She puts on a brave face, but I was separated from her longer than necessary, and I recognize the signs of a panic attack when she’s about to have one.
She may have been fighting it off while talking to Austin, but it’s still simmering under the surface. The way she rubs her throat, and widens her eyes, taking in everything around her. The way her fists clench and unclench. The way her eyes stay shut longer than normal with each blink. I have to get her out of here.