Page 42 of Worth the Chase

I threw up my hands because I couldn’t give two shits what his town was called, as long as he went back to it and stayed there.

“And he’s a fireman?” I spat out his occupation like it was something that repulsed me, even though it in no way did.

That was some hard-as-hell work, but we all knew the stereotypes. Firemen were pretty boys who loved to look at themselves in mirrors—that was why the ones on their fire trucks were so big.

“Yep.”

“How many dates have they been on? How long has this been going on?” I asked, wondering if that was why Bells had pushed me away.

Had she recently started seeing someone?

“You’d have to ask her those questions,” Addi said.

I blew out an annoyed breath as I ran my hand down my face.

“Sure thing. Tell me where she is, and I’ll go ask.” I shrugged.

Addi shook her head. “You will do nothing of the sort. She’s allowed to date, you know?”

“Of course I know.” I narrowed my eyes, wondering if Addi was done lecturing me or not.

“Do you?”

“Yes, Addi. I know Bells is allowed to date. But I don’t have to like it,” I admitted.

By now, everyone in my family knew that I was interested in Bells as more than a friend, so there was no point in my trying to deny it.

“She deserves to have some fun. Don’t you think?”

No, my instincts responded.

“Where’d they go?” The question was out before I could stop it, my mind racing with the possibilities. There weren’t a lot of date-worthy options in Sugar Mountain.

Addi refused to answer me, but I noticed her eyes flick in a specific direction, and before she could hide it, I turned around and knew exactly where she’d been looking.

“You’re joking. The diner? They’re literally across the street from us right now?”

“I never said that.” Her voice shook a little, so I knew I’d figured it out. “Go home, Matthew. I’ll tell her you were looking for her.”

“Not a chance.” I laughed before turning around, heading out the door, and jogging straight across the street. I hadn’t evenlooked both ways before I crossed the street, so I was lucky as hell I didn’t get hit by a car.

When I pushed open the diner door, Mrs. Baker said hello and offered me a seat.

“Just looking for someone, Mrs. B,” I said, and she pressed her lips together before pointing toward the back.

Did everyone in this town know I was obsessed with this woman?

That was when I spotted them. Her back was toward me, but I’d know her anywhere. I rushed toward their booth and watched as the guy frowned, like he was about to knock me out or something, before his expression changed completely.

“I know you,” he said as soon as I reached them. “Matthew O’Grady. Best forward in the league.”

“Dear God. What are you doing here?” Bells asked, her tone nowhere near as impressed with me as her date seemed to be.

“Heard you were on a date,” I snapped.

I couldn’t help it. I was possessive. Jealous. Angry. Out of my fucking mind. If anyone was taking Bells out on a date, it should have been me. She’d told me we needed to take things slow and be friends first, but fuck this.

The firefighter threw his hands in the air. “Hey, I didn’t know she was spoken for, man.”

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