Page 122 of The Bonus

I glance up, miles away. “Yes.” I clap as I pretend to know the game has ended.

What the hell, I’ve been so lost in thought, I’ve missed the entire game.

Gabriel and Lucy come up the steps of the grandstand to see us.

“Good lord,” Deb mutters under her breath. “Could he be any hotter.”

“Looks are deceiving,” I whisper through a fake smile.

He holds his hand out to Debbie. “Hello, I’m Gabriel.” His voice is deep and husky.

Debbie shakes his hand. “Hi.” She smiles mischievously as she stares up at him. “I’m Debbie, Grace’s best friend and cousin.”

“Oh.” His eyes widen. “I didn’t realize you were related.”

Bang, bang, bang goes the blood through my veins. Why does his close proximity affect me so much?

Cut it out, hormones.

“Do you live here too?” Gabriel asks Debbie.

“Yes, I’m the reason Grace first came to this town.”

“Hmm.” Gabriel acts grumpy. “I have you to blame for stealing her from me, do I?”

“I guess so.” Debbie laughs, and I roll my eyes.

Don’t try to charm her…you asshole.

Ugh…go back to New York.

“Oh.” Deb’s eyes flick to me. If I could say something, I would, I’m too distracted by the adrenaline screaming through my veins.

“Dominic played great,” Gabriel says casually.

“He did, didn’t he?” Deb agrees.

Did he? I have no idea; I didn’t watch one minute of the match. Too busy dissecting the trainwreck.

“Shall we head down?” Gabriel asks.

I nod, unable to push one nice word through my lips.

We walk down the grandstand and over to the side of the pitch and Dominic comes out of the changerooms with his bag; he glances up and sees Gabriel and his face falls.

So does my heart.

Gabriel forces a smile and I die a little inside. For both him and Dom.

“Great game,” Gabriel says.

“Thanks,” Dom grumbles.

Suddenly it’s awkward.

“I’ll get going,” Deb says. She rubs her hand through Dom’s hair. “Great game, buddy.”

“Thanks, Aunty Deb.”

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