Page 68 of Play to Win

“She married a man twenty years older than her.What other reason would she marry him than for his money?”

“Maybe she loves him?”

He snorts.

“No really.It seems to me like she cares about him.”

He dismisses my opinion with a shake of his head and turns on his GPS to direct us back to the freeway and his place.

“And what about Emma?”I ask, annoyance rising.“What were you two talking about in the hallway?Does she want to get back together?”

“Yeah.”

I’m stunned into silence.I didn’t really expect that.I sit quietly for a few minutes, as Théo doesn’t offer up any more details.I watch city lights slide by outside the car.

I don’t think he should go back to Emma.She fucked him over with his own brother.That doesn’t bode well for their future together.I didn’t get a good impression of her tonight, although we barely said two words to each other.I don’t think she’s good enough for Théo.I don’t want him to be hurt again.

I guess showing up with me made her jealous enough that she realized she wants him back.

But if that’s what he wants, I’m happy for him.So, I guess I’m not needed here anymore, if they’re going to get back together.My stomach cramps up as I try to figure out what I’m going to do.Obviously, I can’t stay with Théo.That would not make Emma happy.Back to Vegas it is then!

Pressure builds behind my eyes and I blink tears away, staring out the side window.

I’m going to have to go back there someday.I have an apartment there, other belongings.My brother, who I’m still worried about.My best friend.It’s probably best if I just pussy up and deal with things.I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to deal with those thugs Chris owes money to, but I’ll figure something out.

15

THÉO

I don’t thinkLacey has ever been as quiet as she has tonight.She didn’t say much at the dinner and she’s gone totally silent now.Ha.As if I know her that well ...in four days.

Wow, it seems so much longer than that.

Idofeel like I know her.

I glance at her as I drive on the freeway.Her head’s leaning against the window and her eyes are closed.I guess she’s fallen asleep.That’s why she hasn’t said anything.

What an insane night.What was I thinking, dragging Lacey into my nutso family?No matter she needed to get out of town and I helped her do that, and tried to look after her and make sure she has what she needs—she doesn’t deserve this kind of lunacy.

I have to admit, she was awesome tonight.She seemed to know when I was getting ready to blow up, and she’d reach out and squeeze my hand or take my arm.Or ask me to look at her like I want to bang her brains out, which honestly is probably theonlyway I can look at her.

Weirdly—what I thought I needed her for?JP and Emma?That didn’t bother me at all.It was the rest of the family fucking drama that got to me.Everly and Riley sniping at each other.Dad and Uncle Mark cornering me and bugging me for taking the job with Grandpa.Then Dad on my case because I didn’t get a prenup agreement drawn up before marrying Lacey.

Which was really fucking stupid of me, in hindsight.Not like me at all.

And JP ...

I swallow a sigh.I don’t even miss Emma.But I do miss JP.

We’re not even two years apart in age.We’ve always been best friends.Sure, we’re competitive, but the thing about having a family member who plays the same sport as you is that you push each other to be better.But we’ve always had each other’s backs, and I still don’t know how he could have done that.

I feel the loss of my brother more than anything, goddammit.

Even more than the fact that my dad doesn’t think I can do this job.I’m not ashamed to admit I want him to be proud of me, like he was when I was playing hockey and winning championships.

Fuck me.I lean my head back against the headrest and sigh.

And Emma ...following me to tell me she misses me and she thinks she made a mistake and now that I’m here in California too, maybe we could try again.

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