Page 131 of Play Book

Fuck my life.

Am I jealous?

“Harper said Rage is on top of all that,” Gabe says. “Both at the house and the gallery. She hasn’t been at the gallery much, but the show is coming up on Saturday, so she’ll be there for that. We’re all going to stop by after the game if we can.”

“The show? What show?”

I feel totally out of the loop.

He frowns. “The art show that her kids’ class is putting on. It’s Saturday at five.”

Our last game of the season is Saturday at three.

“Ally hasn’t said anything.”

“I don’t think Ally is doing it,” Gabe says. “Saylor told Harper that she hasn’t been very cooperative.”

“Dammit. She made a commitment to take the class, and she needs to see it through.” I shake my head and grab my bag. “I have to go. I need to talk to her before the game tonight.”

“You should talk to Saylor,” Gabe murmurs.

“You really should,” Jensen adds.

“I don’t think she wants to talk to me,” is all I say before heading toward the parking lot.

I don’t know if that’s true, but I have a lot to think about.

Broken up or not, I’m worried about her. It bothers me that she didn’t feel like she could confide in me. It bothers me even more that there’s a good-looking security guard doing what I should be doing for her. And it really bothers me that I didn’t have a chance to talk to her about the situation with Ally.

On top of all that, Ally has some explaining to do.

I’d told her from the get-go that if she committed to the art class, she would stay until the end, whether she liked it or not. Whether she liked Saylor or not.

And she’d committed.

I don’t know what show is happening on Saturday, but Ally needs to participate.

If I’m going to be her parent—and I already am—then one of many things I need to instill in her is a work ethic. No matter how hard she fights me on it.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Saylor

With the kids’ show coming up, I spend Friday at the gallery, straightening up and hanging their pieces. They’ve done such an amazing job, and I’m proud of them. I sent invitations to my entire client list, even though I know most probably won’t come. Still, a few will show up just for a chance to see if I have any new art, and I do. I’d finished the three-piece set just last night and though it was still drying, I’d hang it tomorrow before the show.

Rage is here with me, working in the back while I do my thing, and it’s comforting to have him here. I know he can’t stay with me forever, but he’s more than just my bodyguard. He’s become a friend, someone I can count on. Deep down, I have a feeling he might have a crush on me, and it’s a shame because he’s a great guy. Handsome, hard-working, strong and protective. All things I really like in a man.

Except I can’t even look at another man romantically.

Or even sexually.

All I want is Canyon.

Hopefully, that longing will ease in time, and I’ll be able to get back to myself again, but in the meantime, I’m nursing my first broken heart in a long time.

And I don’t like it.

The door chime sounds, and I look up, surprised to see Ally and Colleen come in.

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