Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“True. I mean, look at him and Garrett.” We both cracked up, and when it died down, I figured I’d put off doing my brotherly duty long enough. The sooner I played Welcome Wagon with Cullen, the sooner I could head back to my “cave.”
Cullen tracked my approach unwaveringly, something unreadable in his eyes that put me on guard. Still, in the presence of other players, I managed to shove my unease aside and extend my fist, bumping his. “It’s been a while, stranger.” A few months, though I was sure the players nearby assumed longer. “Welcome to Denver. I think you’ll love it here, and if you need anything, just give me a shout.” That sounded welcoming enough, I figured.
Cullen’s brow shot up, his vague expression giving way to a cocktail of bewilderment and amusement. I couldn’t blame him—I sounded like a goddamn pod person, and he had to see through it. He could make my blood boil for some reason, and as soon as the other players moved off, leaving us with a little more privacy, I leveled on him. “Garrett asked me to be here. He thinks it’s good for team dynamics, that I’d make you feel comfortable. I didn’t have it in me to tell him otherwise. He wants a good season, and you and I both know the potential is there if you don’t fuck it up with the goddamn antics. My guess is your ass is seriously on the line right now. More motivation not to fuck it up. So, don’t fuck it up.”
“Now, that’s more along the lines of what I was expecting.” He cocked his head. “So, is that it?”
“That’s it.” I nodded. “I’m heading out. Enjoy the party, and have a good season.”
Cullen inclined his chin, looking me over, the shameless way he surveyed me forcing me to grit my jaw against the heat that coiled through my groin. “I want to talk to you for a sec.”
“Nothing else to say.”
“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”
Our gazes locked. Both of us were stubborn. Always had been, and I was grateful no one seemed to be paying attention to us because I suspected right then we looked more like two dudes who were about to come to blows than chummy former teammates. Then I thought of Garrett’s triumphant grin earlier when I’d walked in and sighed. “C’mon.” Cullen wanted to talk shit out, clarify things? Fine. I could do that, and then we could both move on.
I led Cullen outside via one of the club’s private entrances and steered us slightly offset from the sidewalk before spinning around and folding my arms over my chest. “Go ahead.”
“The airport—”
“Was a mistake.”
He gave what looked like a flinch, but in the blink of an eye, it was gone. “Yeah.”
Well, shit. He wasn’t wrong, but the easy agreement stung a little. “And what came after it was just fucking stupid.”
“No, it was frustration. And stupid, but it happened, and I can’t take it back.”
“Frustration about what?”
“You, McRae. Jesus. Always you.” He huffed in disbelief. “My situation. How everything went down between us.”
“We both made our own decisions, and that was years ago. We don’t need to rehash it a million fucking times—it’s over and done. Let’s just move on. I’m not here to get in your way. I meant what I said. I hope you help take the Rush all the way. I’ll be rooting for you.” In my own way and from a safe distance where the scent of him and those hazel eyes couldn’t work their disorienting fuckery on me.
I turned to go, but Cullen caught me by the arm, his grip firm, powerful, practiced.
I looked pointedly at his clenched fingers. “Want to let go of my arm before I knock your ass back against the wall?”
“Would you? You used to love my hands on you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Now he was fucking with me, definitely. “And you used to love when I pinned your ass down.” Rare was it that someone could make me escalate. I’d never been one for needless confrontation. On the field, yeah, but I didn’t bother off it. Cullen was one of the few who could provoke me. Usually to my own disadvantage, like right then, when the pressure of his grip became all too familiar, dredging up memories of him under me that I preferred to remain buried.
“Think you still could?” The challenge in his eyes matched the cocky quirk of his lips, and when he licked them pointedly, I could almost feel the wet warmth of them on me.
I forced my gaze away from the gleaming temptation of his mouth. “No point in finding out now.” Didn’t mean I wouldn’t go to bed tonight thinking about it, though. I shook his grip loose and pulled out my phone, which had been vibrating incessantly in my pocket. “G’s asking where I am. I’m gonna—”