Page 69 of A Little Tempting

But what’s worse? The sincerity in his eyes. The gentleness. The concern. Not for him, or even for the girl, but for me. For how it might make me feel to see him with someone. Someone else. Someone who isn’t me.

Am I really so transparent?

“Why?” I whisper, hating how I already know the answer but asking it anyway. “Why will it look like you’re hooking up with her this weekend when you aren’t?”

“Not all damsels need Band-Aids.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back softly. “Some require other solutions. We’ll talk more later, yeah?”

With a gentle tug, I pull away from him and tuck my hair behind my ear. “I’ll see you around, Reeves.”

I head into the closest building despite knowing I won’t absorb a single freaking word. But even the mindless drivel from my professor is better than wallowing in my own pathetic thoughts.

17

REEVES

Not gonna lie. I kind of want to hit Griffin for setting up this little wager, especially after the way Dylan and I left things earlier this week. I can still see the hurt in her eyes when she saw me talking to Lilah. I fucking hated it. And here I am, expected to win a bet with the odds stacked against me. Everyone knows I’m better at assists than Everett, but when it comes to brute scoring? Yeah, the bastard usually has me beat.

I don’t say a word to Everett in the locker room. Sure, I might act like a dick on occasion, but it’s not like I hate the guy. And sure, Everett has his head up his ass, pretending like he’s some saint for being willing to take Dylan to a dance when we both know I’d willingly take her without the guise of some chivalrous pursuit. But still. The idiot’s my teammate. And we’re competing against each other for a girl? A girl who’s known Everett a hell of a lot longer than she’s known me? A girl who’s pissed at me for taking a job right in front of her?

Fuck.

This entire competition’s bullshit. Everyone knows it, but I refuse to back down. I stare at Ev across the room as he grabs his stick and slaps his locker closed. He’s been especially quiet, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s thinking about Dylan like I am. If he’s ready to cross the line he’s drawn in the sand with her. If he thinks it’s a good idea.

Griffin steps into my line of sight, blocking Everett with his padded shoulders and a stern look eerily similar to his brother, Jax.

“It’s a friendly bet,” he reminds me.

“Yeah. One I’m set up to fail,” I argue. “You know assists are my strength.”

“Yeah, I know.” He nods, then drops his voice low. “Just, uh, don’t let this get between LAU and winning, all right?”

I scoff, not bothering to hide my frustration. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good.” He slaps my shoulder pad with his gloved hand. “Because I’m trying to throw you a bone here. If you choose yourself over the team again, I’m not sure I can overlook it. I sure as shit know Everett won’t.”

Fucking hell.

You’d think they’d have let it go by now. My fuck up. Instead, I wear it like the girl inThe Scarlet Letterwore her A. What was her name again? I can’t remember. All I know is Emma Stone played the part in the remake,Easy A, and it was hilarious. But that isn’t the point. The point is, I’m being lectured about something I haven’t done yet, and it pisses me off. Especially when Griffin arranged this competition for his sister in the first place. But ruffling the asshole’s feathers when he holds the key to Dylan is a mistake, and even though I’m as impulsive as fuck, I need to restrain myself.

Jaw tightening, I hold his gaze. “It won’t happen.”

“Good.” He pauses. “For what it’s worth, I won’t be disappointed if you win the bet.”

“And if Everett does?” I quip.

Griffin grins. “Won’t be disappointed then, either.”

“You know he likes her, right?”

“He’s protective of her,” Griffin clarifies, though I don’t miss the way his amusement dissipates from his blue eyes. “There’s a difference.”

“Why does he feel the need to protect her from me, but you don’t?”

“Guess I have more faith in you than Ev does.” He hesitates again and cocks his head. “The question is, do you deserve it?”

I lift one shoulder. “Only time will tell.”

He scoffs. “Yeah. Time and today’s game. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m giving you a chance to prove you’re not a selfish prick. To meandthe team.”

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