Page 64 of Play It Off

The drink Coop made me is mega strong, and it’s going down fast, making me wish I had another. Ever has also finished her drink, meaning she’s really feeling good now, and we’re just about to go out on the front porch and see what’s up when Ever comes to a stop, forcing me to go still as well since our arms are linked. She’s staring at the couple by the front door. Frank and Portia.

Oops. I forgot to mention that Portia came to the party.

“Oh no.” Panic flares in Ever’s gaze as she glances over at me. “I need to warn Nico that she’s here.”

“Seriously? Forget that guy, remember? We made a deal with each other.”

“But Nico hates Portia.” Ever lowers her voice, tilting her head toward me. “I have to tell him.”

And with those final words, Everleigh takes off, abandoning me completely so she can go run to her man and warn him his ex is at the party.

Figures. Though I would do the same for Gavin if the situation was reversed, so who am I to judge?

Taking a deep drink from my cup, I head for the front door, ignoring the guys calling out my name, and I laugh and smile and wave, not about to stop and chat with them. Sometimes they get a little handsy once they’ve had a few drinks, and I’m not in the mood to push them off me. I can only imagine what would happen if Coop caught them doing that, or worse?

Gavin.

Needing some fresh air, I open the door, coming to a stop when I see who’s standing directly in front of me, his expression one of pure shock, and I’m positive my face looks the same.

It’s Ryland.

Chapter Twenty-FourSienna

Ryland’s expression switches up, a big smile appearing on his face. “Hey, Sienna! I was hoping I’d run into you here.” Ryland enters the house accompanied by two other men I don’t recognize; his gaze is only for me.

“Hi, Ryland.” I offer a weak wave, wiggling my fingers before taking a fortifying sip from my drink because I’m gonna need it. I immediately wish it was even stronger. “Wow, um ... I didn’t know you were coming to the party.”

“Just found out about it. My buddies—” He glances to the left, then the right, realizing that his friends have already ditched him. That was quick. “They told me about it, and I thought I’d come check it out, since it’s at your brother’s house.”

Guilt swamps me when it shouldn’t. I told Ryland straight up that I just wanted to be friends, and here he is. I don’t want to think I’m the only reason he’s here, but come on. I think that might be the case.

Or maybe not. I prefer to believe I’mnotthe reason he’s here, and I try to play it off that we’ve run into each other.

“Yeah. The team always has a big party on their bye weekend. This is a traditional thing.” I shed the denim jacket thanks to me starting to sweat over Ryland’s unexpected appearance. After opening thehall-closet door, I shove my jacket inside and pull the door closed, then turn to smile at him. The guilt still lingering, I decide to confront the issue head on. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention the party to you yesterday.”

“No worries.” His voice doesn’t raise. He doesn’t seem mad at all, and I admire that about him. I’d be hurt and even a little angry if I was in his position, but he doesn’t seem bothered by any of this whatsoever. “How are the flowers?”

“They’re beautiful.” It’s a little annoying that he would bring them up again. Didn’t I thank him enough? But here I go. “Thank you for sending them.”

It hits me that I’m unsure if I ever told him where I worked either. Did I? I might’ve mentioned it in casual conversation, but when? During dinner last night? I can’t remember.

“Good. I spent a lot of money on them. I wanted to impress you.” He tips his head to the side, contemplating me. “But I guess it didn’t work.”

Did he just admit he wanted to impress me? That’s so ... odd. “It’s a gorgeous bouquet, but you know how I feel, Ryland.” I don’t know how else to answer him.

“Oh, I know. Guess I got carried away, but I wanted everyone at your work to see that you’ve potentially got someone new in your life.” His smile grows, his focus dropping to my chest and lingering there for a beat too long. Considering I’m wearing two-inch platform black sandals tonight, I tower over him even more than usual, and he’s practically at chest level.

Unease slips through me, and I take a step back, wishing I’d never gotten rid of the jacket. I am fully exposed, and he’s taking advantage of it. “The only one who saw the flowers was my boss, Matty. And he’s not interested in me like that.”

“Matty, huh? How old is that guy, anyway?” His tone is vaguely hostile, and I’m thrown.

What’s his problem? And what’s up with him wanting everyone to know that I have someone new in my life when—joke’s on him—Idon’t? How does it matter what anyone else thinks, anyway? I don’t like how he’s talking to me.

At all.

“He’s just my boss,” I finally say with a little shrug. “It was no big deal.”

The tension seems to ease from his shoulders, and he nods once, muttering, “Okay. Okay, cool. Cool.”

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