Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Eh … is that why my best pal looks like he wants to throttle me? What is between you? He won’t tell me.”
“There’s nothing.”
Baird shook his head. “Oh, there’s something.”
“Everything all right up here?”
I startled at his voice, whirling to find Callan on the steps. “We’re fine.” As I hurried downstairs toward him, Callan descended to let me out. Baird followed.
We’d all just stepped into the hall when Amy appeared. Her eyes were bright enough to give away that she was very, very tipsy. “There you are!” She latched onto Callan, sliding her arm through his.
I didn’t blame her.
I’d only caught a glimpse of their interaction and knew he had been giving her all the right signals.
It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it did. We hadn’t exactly discussed the details of our fake-dating deal.
“Ainsley was telling me about the guest room, and we really should check it out,” Amy announced not so subtly.
“I’m going to head back home.” I gave Baird a small smile. “Thanks for the invite.”
“I’ll walk you.” Callan moved toward me, and Amy’s expression slackened with horror.
“Oh my God, are you two together? I’m so sorry!” She comically dropped Callan’s arm like it was on fire.
“No, we’re not,” I rushed to reassure her, still not meeting Callan’s eyes. If I was honest with myself, I was pissed off. “I’ll see you all later.”
“I’ll walk you home.” Baird stepped toward me.
Callan cut him a dark look. “No, I will.”
Irritated, I bristled. “I can walk myself home.”
“Not at this time in the evening.” Baird shook his head adamantly, then made a shooing gesture to Callan. “Take Amy to see the guest room. I’ll look after Beth.”
“Like fuck you will.”
At Callan’s growl, Amy sighed and stared up at the ceiling. “I wanted to hook up with someone, not get in the middle of other people’s drama.” She narrowed her eyes at Baird. “Which one of your teammates is actually single?”
“There are a few, but Perry or John are your best bet. John just broke up with a lassie, so he’s on the rebound. Or me, of course.”
“I’m not sleeping with my best friend’s wee brother.” Amy appeared considering. “John seems like he’d take care of a woman first.” She sauntered away in search of a good time, and I had to admit I was envious of her ability to go after what she wanted.
“He might look like a gentleman, but that one is a kinky bastard,” Baird called after her.
“Ooh, even better!”
Baird turned back to us, grinning.
But I wasn’t in the mood for grinning.
I could feel Callan glaring at me, as if willing me to look at him, but I wouldn’t. How dare he flirt with Amy, eye her like she was his next meal, and then get territorial over me. “I’m going home. Alone.”
Callan reached out to grasp my arm as I moved to leave. “Not alone.”
I shrugged him off. “I’m not playing games. Whatever is going on between you two”—I gestured between them—“keep it to yourselves and don’t drag me into it.”
Before either of them could protest, I marched away. I didn’t bother to say goodbye to Ainsley as I shoved past a crowd gathered near the door and hurried from the flat.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CALLAN
There had been times when I’d been frustrated with Baird. Never usually on the pitch, but definitely off.
This went beyond that. I was ragin’.
“What the fuck are you playing at?” I spat at him as I moved to go after Beth.
Baird grabbed my arm, stopping me. “What are you playing at? I know that this is more than just trying to get a meeting with Carmichael or helping Beth. Whatever your history with this lassie is, you’re into her.”
I shook off his hand. “It’s a business deal, Baird. End of.”
“Nah. It’s more than that. So, here’s a wee bit of common sense advice—don’t fuck it up, Cal, by fucking around with women you don’t even want.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t slept with a lassie in weeks. Since her. And you bring her here as your date, fake or otherwise, and you immediately start flirting with Amy? C’mon, man, you wouldn’t even do that to a hookup.” Baird gave me a disappointed look. “You hurt her feelings. Beth’s. I … I wanted you to have a wee taste of your own medicine.”
Shit.
I turned away, scrubbing a hand down my face.
He was right.
Even if Beth and I were only pretending to date, I’d brought her here. I shouldn’t have been flirting with Amy. I … I wanted to prove that I wanted other women.
Amy was gorgeous … but the truth was I felt nothing.
Until I saw Baird touching Beth up in his bedroom.
Then I’d felt something like white-hot fucking jealousy and anger.
This was messed up. “Maybe I should tell her the deal is off.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re right.” I shifted uncomfortably. “I want her.”