Page 28 of Reaching Hearts

Chapter Sixteen

Rebecca

Ihadn’t heard from him until yesterday when he called and invited me out of the blue to come play softball with his company team. I acted normal, but inside I was shocked. I booked the flight immediately, and decided it would be awhile before I rocked the boat again.

“How many?” the hostess asks, her long eyelashes settling on Brendan.

“Fifteen. We’re coming from a game so put us where people don’t mind the smell of victory.”

He puts his arms around me, squeezing and swaying our bodies like we’re a couple. She smiles as her eyes fall to her table chart, deciding who can handle a party this size. “Follow me.” Pulling out a large stack of plastic menus, she walks away.

Brendan holds his arm out for me to go first. “Nice ass,” he whispers as we follow.

I toss him a wicked smile over my shoulder. “If I wasn’t starving and in need of a shower, I’d ask why we’re here right now and not in your bed. Or on your couch. Or taking a shower together, for that matter.”

“Didn’t get enough last night, huh?”

“Cocky bastard” I throw back, eliciting a sexy grin from him.

“Just like you like it, Rebecca.”

I shake my head. “You’re incredible.”

The group joins us soon and Tommy walks around, celebrating and talking to everyone like they’re all his best friends. I can’t help but glance to him because he’s got so much energy and charisma. He’s the loud, bright sun to Brendan’s quiet, dark, moon. “I’m buying the first round of beers for everyone!” They all cheer, but I just smile and Brendan of course, says nothing. Tommy waltzes over. “Hey Rebecca, I bet you prefer wine over beer.”

“I do, actually. Thank you.”

He looks at Brendan. “Pitchers, yeah B? What kind dya think?”

Brendan’s eyes are dead. “I’m sure you can handle it.”

I cut my eyes to Brendan, shocked at his public rudeness. Tommy blinks and covers his reaction, but the light changes in his eyes. “Great. I’m sure I can. Red or white, Bec?”

I almost wince at the nickname, because I know he said it just to piss Brendan off. “Red, please. Thank you, Tommy.”

He turns and heads for the bar, walking with less of a bounce than he had.

“That wasn’t very nice.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Brendan mutters.

I whisper low enough for only his ear to hear, “That’s not what I mean.” Appalled, I turn to my left where Margaret Bilstead sits beside me. Brendan prepped me on the key people at the company, and Margaret is the Chief Financial Officer, so I know she’s no idiot. I want to have a conversation with someone who has some civility after that show of rudeness I just experienced. Bad manners are an unnecessary display of immaturity and they always embarrass me. “Margaret, tell me how it feels to be a woman at the top of all this testosterone.”

She smiles and rolls her eyes. “It’s hell, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I chuckle and we turn more towards each other. Brendan can fend for himself for a while. I’m sure he can handle it.

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