Page 33 of Mistle-Ho

“I can stay.” Gavin carefully pulls his hand from Isla’s, using it to snag a chair from behind us. He settles it in the spot Tanner just occupied. But while Gavin’s hulking frame takes up way more space than the other man did, his presence feels so much less invasive, even if I’m considering kicking him under the table.

He settles into the seat, adjusting his big body in a way that brings him even closer to me. So close, the thickness of his thigh presses tight to mine, baking it with warmth through the fabric of his jeans.

I’m wiggling in my seat, caught between liking the feel of all that hard muscle and knowing I should not enjoy having any part of Gavin pressed against any part of me, when I notice his thigh isn’t the only place we’re touching. The arm he draped over the back of my chair is still there, heavy and solid across my back, resting in a way no amount of rearranging my position will rectify.

And then his thumb slowly starts to drag across the bare skin of my bicep, making lazy passes as he carries on a conversation with my friends.

As if this is a completely normal situation.

As if he doesn’t realize I’m already plotting ways to get away from him before I do something stupid. Like forget what a jerk he was on Christmas.

16

What Kind of Fast are We Talking?

Gavin

I TRY NOT to react when Alexis jumps up, declaring she has to go to the bathroom and leaving me without so much as a backward glance.

“Are you getting ready for the upcoming season?” The redhead sitting at my side tries to keep the conversation going, but I’m struggling to follow along.

“Yeah.” I straighten in my seat, scanning the bar for any sign of Al’s blonde head, but she’s so fucking short—even in heels—I lose her in the crowd.

“I bet it’s super fun to play rugby for a living.” The glasses one has her chin propped on her hands. “All that physical activity.”

I’ve met Al’s friends before, but always in passing. I’ve never been around them long enough to retain any of their names, and I’m regretting it now. I don’t want them to think I’m a complete ass.

Even though I probably am.

“You do seem to be in really good shape.” The woman directly across from me smiles, a dimple cutting into the curve of her cheek. “That’s probably why you’re so fast.”

My brows lift and I drag my gaze from its search for Alexis. “You watch rugby?”

She shakes her head, the dark curls of her hair swinging with the movement. “No. I’m not really into sports.”

That stumps me a little. “Then how do you know I’m fast?”

She’s still smiling, looking like she’s thoroughly enjoying our conversation. “Because Alexis told us.”

Well, isn’t that interesting. I’m feeling a little cocky over Al telling them about my skill as a player, but then it occurs to me that might not be the sort of speed she’s told these women about. We might actually be discussing the events of her parents’ Christmas party, and my dumb ass is too stupid to know it.

I scan the faces circling the table, looking for any hint they might know what happened in Babs’ she shed—or worse, my shitty comment Christmas morning. Thankfully, none of them looks ready to stab me with the toothpick from their drink’s garnish, so even if they know part of the story, they don’t know all of it.

But while their expressions are friendly, they’re also assessing. I’d initially thought Al’s friends were flirting with me, but now I’m worried this is more of an interview. An analysis to see if I’m good enough for their friend.

And that has me standing just as fast as Alexis did earlier. “I should probably go find the guys I came with.”

I back away from the high-top, needing to get away from their scrutiny before they see the truth. Because I know for a fact I’m not good enough for Alexis. I also know it doesn’t matter. I fucked everything up and I need to let it stay that way. Be grateful I didn’t completely destroy shit and can still hang around, soaking up the kind of family life I never had.

Once the mess Leo made blows over.

“It was nice seeing you guys.” I keep moving. “Enjoy your night.” Turning, I weave through the packed bar, making my way to the table where Leo and the rest of the guys are drinking their second round.

I’d been on my way back from the bathroom when I caught sight of that dick hovering over Alexis. The second I saw the expression on her face, I knew it wasn’t a happy exchange and couldn’t stop myself from stepping in. I didn’t like how he was looking at her. How close he was standing.

What he was trying to accomplish.

It sent me straight to a place I don’t want to go again, making me want to break bones and mark territory like some kind of fucking neanderthal.

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