Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Of course, while the rest of the awesome foursome has seen me flirt relentlessly with Jesse, they don’t actually know how I feel about him.
Maddie seems to have a little bit of a clue, though. I hated lying to her, but I’m not ready for anyone to know my real reason for going on the tour yet.
If it doesn’t work out, at least I’ll have a wonderful trip to remember for the rest of my life.
But already my feelings trump my thoughts.
Jesse Pike is mine.
Chapter Fourteen
Jesse
Man, I’m still playing like shit.
And Sage Simpson yanking on my arm every other second isn’t doing me any favors.
Sage is the biggest flirt of the awesome foursome. Whenever the guys and I are here at the same time as her, she never leaves us alone.
I glance over to the table where Brianna sits with Maddie and Angie Simpson.
The fourth, Gina Steel, doesn’t appear to be here tonight.
Can’t say that I blame her. Some shit just came down about her family, and it’s rocked the entire town.
The Steels can handle it.
They can handle fucking anything.
They can buy their way out of emotional trauma.
“Your shot, Jess,” Cage says.
I take a look at the table. There are no clear shots. None at all.
Fuck.
I line up a shot that I have about a one percent chance of making. I do the geometry in my head. It could happen, and on another night when I’m playing well? I might have a better chance of making it. Tonight? I may as well bow out now.
I take the shot…
And to my surprise, my ball hits the pocket.
“You redeemed yourself.” Cage pats me on the back. “Jesse’s back.”
Except I’m not back. My next shot is an easy one…and I manage to miss it.
Cage takes his final couple shots, winning the game.
“All right, Dragon,” Cage says. “You and me again.”
Jesus.
“Anyone could miss that.” Sage gloms onto my arm again.
“Are you kidding me? I made one of the most difficult shots I’ve ever made, and then I miss an easy one. So no, anyone could not have missed that.”
“Come on.” She yanks on my arm. “Let me get you a drink.”
“No thanks,” I say. “I mean, thanks for the offer, Sage. But I’ll pass.”
She eyes my empty glass of water sitting on the cocktail table by the cue rack. “You’re empty.”
“I am. And I’m going to call it a night.” I replace my cue on the wall and walk to the bar to take care of my tab, leaving Sage at the pool table with Cage and Dragon.
Brendan Murphy has replaced Ava at the bar.
“Hey, Jesse.”
“Just want to close out my tab,” I say.
He heads over to the cash register. “Not a problem.” He hands me a receipt.
I sign. “I noticed that Gina isn’t here tonight with the rest of the awesome foursome,” I say. “Is she okay?”
“Thanks for asking.” Brendan shoves my signed receipt into his register. “She’s having a hard time. I mean, anyone would.”
“Ava seems to be at peace.”
“Yeah, but it was a while coming. Ava has a different way of looking at things than most people.”
I nod. “Well, give Gina my best if you see her. So long.”
“See you, Jesse.”
I head to the door, and then I look back at the table.
And there’s Brianna Steel.
Staring straight at me.
And damn.
Why am I feeling these sparks? I don’t have time to get involved with anyone, and certainly not a woman ten years my junior. I need to give my all to the band right now. To this tour. We have to kill this thing. Our family needs it.
So I leave.
I leave the bar.
And I try to leave Brianna Steel there.
But a piece of her comes with me, in my head. In my groin.
I have to make peace with her being on the tour. She’s a part of my circle now. My sister is engaged to her brother. My other sister is engaged to her cousin.
One thing’s for sure, though.
I’m going to have to keep my hands to myself.
I reach for my phone in my pocket—
“For the love—” I say out loud. I must’ve left my phone in the bar. In fact, I can see it in my mind, sitting on that cocktail table right next to where the pool cues are.
I was looking at my phone when I put my cue on the rack, and I set it down.
So back into the bar I go, jingling the bells on the door.
And as I walk in—
Brianna is walking out, and we collide, her own phone clattering to the wood floor.
My whole body reacts to her presence.
She’s so tall. Perfect for a guy my height.
She drops her jaw. “Oh, Jesse! I’m so sorry.” She reaches down to retrieve her phone.
And I take a good look at her ass. I should have picked up the phone for her. Some gentleman I am.