Page 115 of Fear of Intimacy

“That doesn’t help Jo.”

“Hey, you asked.” She shrugged.

“And you couldn’t have replied with, ‘She’s just going to be happy you are there?’” I shot her a look.

“That, too.”

“Gee, thanks.” Josie just shot me a grin.

Shrugging on my suit jacket, I straightened the sleeve as Josie and Mila looked me over.

“How does it look?”

“Here.” Mila stepped forward, bending over slightly so she could reach me. She ran her fingers through my hair for a minute before stepping back. “Perfect.” I shot her a smile in thanks. These two were really saving my ass.

“Trevor.” Josie came forward, reaching up to fix my collar. Despite hearing how fancy this thing was, I left the tie off. Didn’t need something strangling me the entire night.

“Yeah?”

Josie peered up at me as I towered over her. The smile she wore slipped off her face, and her eyes narrowed.

“If you hurt my best friend. If you do anything to make her unhappy. I won’t hesitate in making your life a living hell.” As she spoke, her grip on my collar tightened. For such a small person, she could be scary as hell.

“Do you understand?”

I nodded with wide eyes.

“I wouldn’t dream of hurting Tasha.” The thought of hurting her made me sick to my stomach. Josie stared at me for another moment before she pulled back, her easygoing smile back on her face.

“Good.” Using her hands, she wiped at my suit jacket. “Now, you better get going.” She acted like she didn’t just threaten me two seconds ago. I didn’t think she was kidding either.

“Uh, yeah. Okay.” Shaking off Josie’s threat, I sent them both a thankful smile. “Thank you, guys.”

“Anytime. Now go get your girl.” Mila gestured over her shoulder to the car parked behind her. Mila and Bryton’s Mercedes.Seeing my skepticism, Mila shook her head at me. “Don’t worry, we’ll get a ride with Wyatt and Jo. Get going.” She all but shoved the keys in my hand.

With another thankful smile, I jogged toward the car and slid in. I had a gala to get to.

The rideto the hotel where the event was being held took me longer than I thought. It was like everyone suddenly had somewhere to be, so the traffic was insane. Of course.By the time I parked in front, I was a good hour and a half late.

Despite my tardiness, the steps to the hotel were lined with reporters. Seeing the car pull up, they all turned and lifted their cameras to see who it was. I was about to enter a room full of people I didn’t even know for the woman I loved. Just knowing I was about to see Tasha had me unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out of the car.

Straightening my suit, I walked around the front as reporters recognized who I was. The flash of cameras instantly surrounded me, along with my name being yelled.

“Trevor Hall!”

“Are you here to support your girlfriend?”

“Are you and Tasha Davis serious?!”

With one hand pressed to the front of my suit, I lifted my other one in half a wave. I politely nodded to the reporters as they snapped picture after picture. This was definitely going to make headlines tomorrow.

I only stopped for a few seconds, letting them all get their pictures, before heading for the doors. I had a girl to get to.

As I made my way into the hotel, I felt the unmistakable sensation of being watched. I was used to the attention, though. Being in the spotlight for hockey, you had to get used to people taking your picture and staring at you as you passed. Plus, none of it mattered when Tasha was so close.

I hadn’t seen her in a week. A whole ass week. Yes, we texted, called, and Facetimed but it wasn’t the same as actually seeing her. Touching her.

I paused right outside the ballroom to gather myself. I knew just beyond those doors was Tasha. And, of course, her parents. The same parents that wanted to put her in an arranged marriage. Just the thought of it had me clenching my jaw.

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