Page 67 of Those Heartbreak Scars

“And I regret it every time I have to see him touch you. Or kiss you.”

“Stop it.” I can’t bear it.

Everett laughs with his mates as he catches us staring. His brow wrinkles and then he breaks into an even bigger grin as he hops to his feet.

“If it helps, when he called me today, he told me to bring the contract. Said if they won, he would sign.”

“So it’s almost over then.” I turn when the bartender taps me on the shoulder. Accept my drink. The realization that Gray will be gone from my life rocks me to my core. But that’s what I need. What I want. I should be relieved.

“Lucky Charm.” Everett plucks me off my feet and swings me around, spilling my drink in the process. As he lowers me to my feet he kisses me and all I can do is try to catch my breath and hope my racing heart slows down. He tastes like alcohol as he sweeps his tongue inside my mouth. “Am I the luckiest man or what? Gray, what do you think? Am I lucky?”

“You make your own luck.” Gray squeezes his shoulder, his smile not quite as fixed on his face as he probably hopes.

“Well, I don’t know about that.” His expression turns cheeky. “I had this beautiful woman cheering me on from the crowd. I’m sure that had a lot to do with it.”

“But I didn’t kick that goal.” His talent is incredible.

“That last goal was phenomenal,” Gray agrees.

Everett’s chest couldn’t puff up anymore. “What can I say? I’m phenomenal.”

“Yes, you are,” Gray says. “That’s why All-Star want you so bad.”

“Did you bring it?” Everett asks.

“Yes, I did.” Gray says. “It’s all electronic, so it’s on my phone. I can bring it up right here and you can sign it and get back to celebrating.”

“Well, actually… I thought we might go somewhere else to sign the contract.” Everett wraps an arm around my shoulder, leaving Gray to follow. “Then the three of us can celebrate.”

“What about Dove?” Gray asks.

“She left a while ago.” I don’t know what is going on with her anymore. After that night Nathan dumped her in the middle of nowhere she’s been withdrawn. Not herself. And even though we made up after our fight, it hasn’t been the same. “She had plans to meet up with friends.”

“Why don’t you just sign it? And then you and I can go have our own private celebration like we planned,” I say. “We’ve been monopolizing Gray’s time for weeks.”

“It’s better this way.” He ushers me into a cab. Gray jogs around and jumps in on the other side so that I’m stuck between the two men. My heart races as we drive away from the pub. My stomach is in knots again. Despite the win, Everett has been off all evening. God, I hope that doesn’t mean he’s going to stall again. I am so ready to stop hanging with Gray constantly.

There are several night clubs on the street where the cab drops us off. Everett leads us into one that’s comprised of twofloors. The dance floor where everyone is having fun dancing and drinking, and a balcony where the VIP section is.

We walk right through the VIP line and head upstairs.

It’s much quieter behind the ropes. We make ourselves at home on comfortable white leather couches in one of the seating areas. Opaque curtains hang around the area to provide a modicum of privacy.

An attendant appears and asks if we want the curtains left up or let down, then takes Everett’s order for champagne.

Gray brings up the contract on his phone. He tries to hand it over, but Everett waves him off.

“Let’s wait until the drinks arrive.” Everett takes hold of my jaw and turns my head so that he can claim another kiss.

This one isn’t sweet or short. It’s long and dirty, and I start to feel uncomfortable with Gray watching.

And he is definitely watching. When I break away from Everett I notice that he looks ill as he wrenches on the knot in his tie.

The attendant comes back with the champagne and three glasses. She uncorks the bottle and puts it on the table before leaving us alone.

Everett pours our drinks and then holds his hand out for Gray’s phone. “Okay, let’s do it. Let’s sign this contract.”

Gray hands it over and Everett stares at the screen for a long moment before he places it on the table. “I tell you what… I think I’m going to need one more thing from you before I sign.”

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