Page 37 of Play It Sinful

I look at Ryder again and force a smile. “I don’t mind at all. Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 15

SEAN

Ididn’t lie. I thought I had practice this morning, but when I checked my schedule again I realized practice had moved to the afternoon. With the sudden free time, the temptation to head over to Ashley’s dorm room was too great. I don’t like what she’s doing to me. Around her, I lose control and act like a maniac. I can’t believe I fingered her at the table while having breakfast with our family.

Determined to prove to myself I can resist her, I headed over to Percy Library to study for an upcoming biology quiz. Then I bumped into a girl from my history studies class, Maggie or Margot, I couldn’t remember her name. All I knew was that she’s always flirted with me and, today, I decided to reciprocate.

That’s when I get the text from Ashley.

When I glance up, the expression on her face kills me. She looks betrayed, and the guilt that spreads through my chest agrees. But I don’t get out of my seat and go to talk to her. Maggie or Margot touches my arm, and I force my attention back to her.

This is me exerting self-control.

I don’t last a minute before I’m seeking out Ashley again. But she’s not standing in the middle of the library anymore. I stretch my neck and look for her.

“What are you doing?” the girl next to me asks.

“I thought I saw someone I know.”

I push my chair back and get up. From my new vantage point, I spot Ashley standing by the front doors talking to... fucking hell... Ryder. That guy is a chick magnet, and if he’s chatting with Ashley, he wants something.

“Sorry, Maggie. I have to go.” I grab my things without looking at her.

“My name is Margot,” she grits out.

“Sorry. See you later.”

I head toward the library’s exit as fast as I can, but I bump into a group of people that just vacated a large table and they block my way. I have to walk around them, and by the time I reach the front, Ashley and Ryder are gone. Heavy rain has created a silver curtain around the building, making visibility poor, but I can still see them across the street, almost hugging under a big umbrella.

An ugly feeling spreads through my chest, making me fucking angry.

Jealousy.

Icould have gone after Ashley and Ryder at the library, but what would that have accomplished? I’m not her boyfriend, and pulling the protective stepbrother bullshit wouldn’t convince anyone. So I swallowed my anger and tried to convince myself that what happened was for the best.

It works as well as I expected. It doesn’t. The moment I see Ryder at practice, the rage that was simmering low in my guts flares up. Before I can stop myself, I skate closer to him and, what do you know, pull the pissed-off-brother card.

He turns to me and, not registering my glower right away, he starts, “Hey, Sean, I was just?—”

“What were you doing with my stepsister earlier?” I interject.

He winces, widening his eyes. “Do I know your stepsister?”

“Yeah, short blonde girl you left the library with.”

“Oh. I didn’t know she was your stepsister. I walked her to her car since she didn’t have an umbrella. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Considering your reputation, I do. I already warned the twins to stay away from her, and I’m doing the same to you.”

The change in his expression is instant. Ryder’s eyes flash with annoyance, and all the muscles in his face harden. He probably isn’t used to anyone telling him what to do, least of all a rookie. I’m probably digging my grave right now.

“Listen, Davenport. I don’t know what kind of backward upbringing you had, but in my world, women are free to socialize with whomever they like.”

Hell. I do sound like a douche from the fifties. But it’s better if he believes I’m a sexist idiot than find out the truth. “I’m looking out for Ash. I’m sure you’d do the same for your sister.”

Something changes in Ryder’s eyes when I mention Blair, and then his stance relaxes a bit. “I was just being nice to her, nothing more. But let me give you a piece of advice.” He moves closer. “If you act like a Neanderthal and try to warn all the guys on the team away from Ashley, you’ll just make her that much more desirable. We love a challenge.”

---