Page 50 of Play It Off

I did this to myself. I should’ve tried to talk to her days ago, but I didn’t. I didn’t prioritize her, and maybe this guy will. Maybe he’s the better man for her. A better man than me.

That realization is like a swift kick in the dick.

We eventually order our food, and I pay for all of us, sending Nico to grab a table, which he does. Only a few away from where Sienna is sitting with this ... stranger who seems entranced with her. The dumb fuck can’t look away from her, and I get it. He’s practically got big red hearts shining in his eyes with the way he’s staring at her.

It’s fucking infuriating.

Coop and I settle in at the picnic table, and I choose the side that allows me to spy on Sienna unabashedly. She’s right in my line of vision, and my gaze roams over her, taking in what she’s wearing. A hot-pink strapless dress that’s pretty simple. And long, thank God. It covers her legs, which I think are her best asset besides her ass and face and breasts and everything else, and it makes me wonder if she’s really into this guy or what.

But then I notice the way the dude’s eyes drop to her chest every few minutes. It’s subtle and quick, not enough to offend, and I know he’s checking out her tits. She’s got some cleavage showing, but not too much. Just enough to entice.

Damn it, it’s working. On the both of us.

Her hair is piled on top of her head in an artfully messy bun, and she’s got thin gold hoops hanging from her ears that swing every time she moves her head. Her freckled skin is on display, and I rest my fisted hands in my lap, hating how bad I want to touch her. March over to her table and grab her, swing her over my shoulder and tell that puny asshole he needs to back the fuck off.

I have no right to do any of that. I don’t own her, and I could’ve. She was willing to give herself to me totally if I’d said the word. I had her in my bed. Naked. I had my mouth on her pussy. I had my dick inside her. Multiple times. I came all over her ass, for the love of God. Talk about a claiming. Only to push her away. I deserve this. All of it.

Dropping my head, I reach for my beer and slug it back, draining almost half my glass in one go.

“Easy there, partner. You don’t want to have to go back to that line, do you?” Nico inclines his head, and I glance over my shoulder to check out the line, which is now even longer than when we were in it.

“Right.” I push the glass away from me, fighting the instinct to look at Sienna, but it’s no use. I can’t stop watching her, unable to tear my attention away from her, and it’s like she senses it. Sensesme.

Sienna lifts her head, turning slowly until our gazes meet. I see the surprise flare in her dark eyes, and her expression hardens, becoming unreadable. Without even an inkling of hesitation, she returns her focus to the guy sitting across from her and starts talking, that pretty smile back on her face as she becomes more animated.

Jesus. I’m jealous. Who is this guy? How did she meet him? Has he kissed her yet? Have they fucked? The image fills my head, and I can’t stop it from happening. Sienna naked, rolling around on a bed, this—stranger on top of her.

I close my eyes and shake my head, willing the image to disappear, and I breathe deep, opening my eyes to find Nico and Coop watching me with matching perplexed expressions on their faces.

“You okay there, bro?” Nico asks, and just from the tone of his voice, I know that fucker realizes what’s going on.

“Fine.” I smile. More like I grimace, but I keep it going, pretending that everything is A-OK. Just fucking great. Life couldn’t be better. “Hungry.”

“Me too. Feels like I could eat two burritos. I should’ve ordered an extra one,” Coop says, oblivious as ever.

“You don’t need two burritos. You’ll be fine.” Nico slaps Coop on the shoulder, his gaze coming back to me. “You, though? I’m a little worried, QB. You’re not acting right.”

“I’m fine.” Even to my own ears, I don’t sound fine—which I’ve already said twice. I sound pissed as hell.

Nico chuckles. Coop is too busy watching the order window, ready to leap when they call our number. Eventually they do, and Coop is off like a shot, moving fast for such a big dude. “I’ll get the food.”

“Grab napkins,” I remind him.

“Sure, Dad,” he mutters as he stalks off.

The moment we’re alone, Nico goes in. “Not liking what you’re seeing, are you?” His smug tone is irritating as hell.

“It doesn’t matter what she’s doing. I don’t own her.” The moment the words leave my mouth, they feel like a lie. I wish I owned her. It would sound fucking fantastic if I was able to call her mine. But I don’t have the right, and I need to remember that.

“Who is that guy, anyway?” Nico turns and blatantly watches them. Even holds his hand up in a wave when they catch him. Jesus, he just doesn’t give a damn, does he? He turns to face me once again. “I don’t recognize him.”

“Me either.”

“She hasn’t dated anyone in a while,” Nico muses.

I fucked her last weekendis on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t say it. Talk about stirring up the drama.

“How do you know so much about her love life?” is what I say instead.

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