Page 68 of Loving the CEO

“Never,” Cade assured me. “But you’re solidly hanging in there, considering how good your mood is. And how good your game was last time.”

“What’s one thing got to do with the other?” I asked.

Spencer cleared his throat. "Whenever one of us got whipped over a woman, our tennis game was for shit."

"But I’m different that way. I’m the calm in a storm and can focus no matter what."

There was a moment of silence, and then Spencer said slowly, "Dude, that sounds a bit like a confession."

Maddox didn't say anything at all—he was just evaluating me. But Cade was also looking at me with suspicion.

"How about I fill you in?" I offered, recognizing defeat.

There was no need for secrets. My brothers weren't Gran. They'd understand what was going on.

"Well, well, a Whitley who finally fesses up without being coerced," Maddox said. "Good for you, bro. Actually, let me text Nick. He'll want to hear this."

"Christ, when did we turn into a bunch of gossips?" I asked.

"We've always been, bro," Spencer replied. "We just pretended we were above it. Now, we just admit."

"I don’t. It's not gossip, just... catching up on one another’s lives," Cade said.

"Exactly," Maddox replied. "Ah, Nick's still here. He’s coming back."

“What’s going on? Game improved?” Nick asked the second he joined us, handing Cade and Maddox beers.

“No, we gave up on it,” Cade explained. “But Leo here has news. We didn’t even suspect what was up after last week’s game. He's got supernatural powers, unlike us. Whenever we started seeing our women, we played like shit, but not this guy."

"Yeah," Nick said, "it was almost bizarre how that worked. I call it the Whitley Curse. " He looked at me. "Damn, brother. Tell me they're not talking about Tory." His voice was unusually harsh.

"So what if they are?" I asked.

Nick held his hands up, groaning. "Come on, man. Tory's different, you know that. She's not..."

"Careful there, brother," I said. "I feel like you're about toinsult me."

"I’m not. But you and I both know that what Tory wants is something you'll never be able to give her."

That felt like a punch to the gut.

"Right, and here I thought this was going to be an enjoyable afternoon. On that note, I think it’s time for me to take off.”

Cade cocked a brow. "You're leaving?" He looked at Nick. "Dude, can you back off? He’s not going to hurt her."

But I knew Nick wouldn't because he had a point. Nick, Maddox, and I made a pact long ago that we wouldn't pull our punches.

He was completely right. I just didn't want to hear it.

Nick looked at me for a few more seconds and then said, "Whatever. It's none of my business. Just don't fuck her over, okay?”

“This is going nowhere fast," Maddox said.

"She's my friend. Of course I don't intend to hurt her. Are youtryingto piss me off?" I growled.

"Right, you know what? I think it's best if we simply watch the game." That came from Spencer. He was usually the one to calm things down when they heated up.

"I think so too," I said.

---