Page 47 of Match Point

Miller flinched and glanced around like he was going to be attacked at any moment. “Brandi is here?”

“Yes, she is.” Raina’s watch beeped and she turned the alarm off, the grin deepening. “You’re needed on the field in five minutes.”

“My favorite part of the day, greeting my adoring fans.” He rubbed his hands together, his childlike exuberance odd on a grown man. It was no secret he was a narcissist, one had to be to own a magazine that featured articles on himself on a weekly basis. All of them positive and glowing. Sick.

“Sorcha, call me.” He spun on his heel and pushed through a small group of staff.

“I’m sorry about that. He’s, well, he’s Miller and he’ll never change.” Raina sipped at the sparkling water in her glass before she sighed. “You handled him well, considering he insulted you ten ways to Sunday.”

“It’s not your fault.” Sorcha had a million questions, but she couldn’t articulate a single one. She’d gone from being alone to learning about another person related by blood. Related but a world away at that moment, no matter how close they stood.

Raina looped her arms through Sorcha’s and squeezed. “It looks like Howler and Leo are still talking to the QB. Let’s head down to the field. After Miller gets done talking himself up, the kids’ kick-off contest begins. It’s the cutest thing. Howler’s already counting the days until Ash can participate.”

“Isn’t he still a baby?” Sorcha asked, freaked out about the whole situation but happy at the same time.

“Four months, yes. You haven’t met my little one. Of course, he’s the cutest baby ever.” Her light laughter was contagious.

Sorcha hadn’t been around children a lot, but she’d always wanted a few of her own. Once she was in a good place, she’d settle down with some faceless man.

“I didn’t doubt it for a second.” Sorcha cast one last glance at Leo before they left. She yearned for his support, but he wasn’t her boyfriend. He was her manager and trainer, someone who worked for her. Except his time as her temporary manager was almost over. She was in this alone to the bitter end.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“Are you ready to take off?” Leo touched Sorcha’s elbow. It had been a long day and he was anxious to return to the ranch. Being back in Seattle brought home a few truths. He’d been living with Sorcha for close to two weeks and he missed being in the same house as her. Once they went back, he could be alone with Sorcha again. It was stupid and foolish to even think about being isolated in the cabin with her, alone with nobody watching. Nobody judging.

Except yourself.

Sorcha turned her head, eyes wide before she looked down at her phone. “I, um, I have plans. You can go ahead, and I’ll catch a cab back to Howler’s.” She didn’t have any friends in town that he was aware of, but she’d been talking to a bunch of people, men.

Single, eligible men.

Because she was single and eligible.

“We were supposed to go back to the ranch tonight.” He only had until the weekend before his obligation as her manager was over. The news about his mother had changed everything and he had to change course.

“I thought we were staying for another day. I haven’t met baby Ash yet and Raina and I are going to get our nails done.” By the way she avoided looking at him directly, she was either hiding something or she was ashamed of what she was doing.

“Your nails? What about your stalker?”

She licked her lips and arched her neck, red curls bouncing at the movement. He’d felt the weight of her hair under his palm, heavy and warm from her body. He curled his hands into fists, aching for a repeat.

“If you’re concerned about Pap, then you can come with me and Raina tomorrow. I’ve seen those feet; you could use a pedicure.”

“No, I don’t think so.” he said, arms crossed.

Laughing, she shook her head. “And you call me stubborn. But really, I have to go. He’s waiting for me.”

Some random guy was waiting for her. Stop it. Her sex life was her own business.

He’d had sex with her two days before. Had that meant anything to her? He raked a hand through his hair. Fuck. Had it meant something to him? Apparently it had, otherwise he wouldn’t be mad.

“We have practice in the morning.” Stupid thing to say. She knew that.

“I promise I’ll be back early and ready for our morning workout.” Her phone chimed and she glanced down at the screen. A flush stole up her cheeks as she answered the text. “I promise no cage dancing or anything crazy, just a drink with a, um, a friend.”

He watched her walk away and willed the adverse feelings back. She’d accepted an invitation with an unknown man, and it was none of his business. Except He wanted to call her back, but what was the point?

“Hey Leo, did you find Sorcha? I’m ready to go.” Tucker approached, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced than usual. Since he’d started training with Sorcha, he’d never complained or called any practice short. He’d used the wheelchair at the ranch. Today, he wore his braces and carried a cane.

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