Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Say it and then get out of here,” I demanded.
“We have an invitation for you,” Shitty said, as if expecting us to be excited. “For all three of you, and you can bring your lovely friend, too.”
I didn’t like the way he eyed Naomi.
“We don’t want anything from you,” Dominic practically spat out.
“Just hear us out. Next month, we’re hosting a game, something of a celebrity exhibition. Players from all around the country have already agreed to come. They’ll be an auction, contests, and the game of course. It’s only about an hour away, so we thought you might like the chance to play again.”
That pissed me off even more. As far as I was concerned, he was the reason I was off the team. He’d sabotaged me every chance he got.
“If so many players are coming, why do you need us?” Justin asked.
“We thought it would be polite to give you the opportunity,” Yvonne said. “All of the proceeds go to cancer. We thought you’d want to participate.”
“Since when did you two become we?” Dominic asked.
Yvonne’s smile did nothing to soften her looks. “It’s been a while.”
My eyes narrowed at her. Their divorce was only finalized last month.
I tried to keep my temper as I spoke. “You need us, don’t you? Because a lot of teams don’t have any free days in July. The season’s in full swing. So you need us to have enough players for a game.”
“It still doesn’t change the fact that the event will help fight cancer. And I heard that you were do-gooders now.” Shitty made it sound like a do-gooder was the lowest member of society.
“What do you mean, now?” Dominic asked with emphasis. “I was setting up things like that long before you ever thought of it.”
Shitty stroked his mustache with one long finger. “Right, but I heard your little summer camp didn’t work out so well. It was a nice try, though.”
“You’ve told us your news, and we’re not interested,” I snapped. “So it’s time for you to go. We were having a pleasant evening.”
Yvonne’s gaze landed on Naomi. “I can see that. Nice to see you still share your toys.”
My mouth opened to cuss her out, but Justin beat me to it. He looked as angry as I’d ever seen him. “Get. The fuck. Out.”
Shitty raised his hands in mock surrender, but he took a couple of steps back as Justin advanced. “Fine. Cleary, we hit a nerve. But don’t forget about our offer.” He took Yvonne’s arm, and they made a hasty retreat.
I would have too, if I’d seen a pissed off guy the size of Justin coming toward me.
“Assholes,” Naomi muttered, and I nodded in agreement. But at least they were assholes who were gone. I crossed to the door and locked it. Normally, we didn’t do that. Between the guests and the staff, there were enough people around that we didn’t feel it was necessary.
Clearly, we were wrong.
I turned back to the others. Stress and tension crackled between us—the sort that even a massage couldn’t fix.
But maybe there was one thing that could.
“Want to get drunk?” I asked.
14
NAOMI
I didn’t know about the others, but I didn’t sleep well after the visit from Dominic’s ex last night. I’d just felt so damn sorry for him. I couldn’t imagine having the two people I wanted to see the least just show up like that.
He’d kept himself in check, but I’d felt the waves of anger radiating off of him. And then they’d had the nerve to ask the guys for a favor! It was mind blowing.
I slept later than I’d meant to. By the time I’d gotten showered and dressed, it was after eleven. When I finally emerged from my room, I nearly ran into Justin who’d been just about to knock.
“I need help,” he said.
“Of course.” My answer was instantaneous. “Massage or a study session?”
“Study session,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay, but your muscles might’ve appreciated the massage more.”
He grinned. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Ten minutes later, we were in the hot tub out on the terrace. Justin was right, the warm jets of water were soothing my muscles, and I told him so. “But a massage by me still feels better.”
“No argument,” Justin said. Then he gave me a lopsided grin. “Or maybe I should say no objection.”
“Call me Your Honor,” I said with a grin.
Justin smiled back, but then his face fell. “Probably that’s as far as I’m going to get—pretending to be a lawyer. There’s no way I’ll ever pass this test.”
I scooted around until I was next to his large body. “Don’t say that. You’re doing really well.”
It was true, and also kind of… not. It was clear that Justin was trying his best, but he wasn’t retaining the information the way the other two men were.