Page 58 of Dozer

Her gaze raked over me, and a forced smile curled her lips.

“I’ll be right back,” Pippa said.

Her mom wrapped an arm around her and shuffled her off in one direction, and I was left staring at a sea of people I’d never met before and wouldn’t meet again.

I slid my hands into my pockets and drifted to the edge of the room. The house was fucking huge. This wasn’t wealth. This was total opulence.

Little kids ran through the room and out through another breezeway leading to a decorated terrace.

Outside, a group of guys played cards and smoked cigars. Chafing dishes lined an outdoor galley kitchen. My stomach growled. Glancing around the area, I waited for Pippa. A familiar face moved through the crowd.

Why was she here?

Our gazes connected. I wasn’t sure what the emotion was in my gut, but it didn’t feel good. My pulse pounded in my chest.

I crossed the room.

Levi glanced up at the huge guy with his fucking hands on her. “Can you give me a minute?” she asked him, staring up into his face with a glowing smile on her lips.

“Find me when you’re done,” the guy said. Obviously familiar with the Ricci family, he wandered into a group of Ricci’s, laughing, and smiling.

“Who is the juicer?”

“Don’t get jealous. That is my date, and those muscles are hard earned. He’s the running back for the Rooks. I met him through Pippa, but I had no idea he was her brother’s best friend. Sheesh Dozer, why can’t I get away from your slut?”

“Nah, Levi. Don’t call her that.”

“I mean it in the loveliest terms for a girl who sleeps with two guys at the same time.”

“Glass houses, Levi. Are you living in one? Is Rook doing it for you the way Romeo does? That was what you told me. Romeo makes your pussy wet thinking about sex with him. Are you going to wonder how all those muscles will feel pressed up against you?”

“Fine, she’s still a slut, and I’m one, too. Feel better?”

“No.” I lowered my voice. “You haven’t fucked Rook, and I haven’t fucked Pippa. So stop with the name calling shit.”

“Fine.”

“Yeah, we both know what that means.”

The fight left her with a long slow exhale. “You’re right. I’ve been sweating bullets because I know I’m going to see Vance and Gabriella. Of course, Pippa would be here, but I didn’t know if she’d bring you or Romeo. I can’t see Romeo if I’m here withCoop. His name isn’t Rook.”

I pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “I’m not going to say anything to Romeo.”

“But Pippa will.”

“I’ll talk to her. Go have fun with your date. It’s okay to like him, Levi. Romeo had his chance. Like you said, you can’t wait forever.”

She turned and nearly bumped into Pippa. She scurried away before Pippa could stop her.

“What is she doing here?”

“Some Arnold is her date.”

“She’s here with Coop? I’m going to kill him. I told him she’s off limits, and I told her, he’s another Romeo. He’ll hurt her, Dozer. Coop is a total player.”

I took a deep breath. “I think we should leave it alone.” Maybe Levi needed to be played with a bit, have some fun, and get over her infatuation with Romeo. “Let it be her secret until she’s ready to share it.”

Especially from Romeo. Today she might be into the baller, but tomorrow, she could be filled with guilt for betraying her heart.

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