Page 77 of One Touch

“If you had only talked to me like I asked,” he choked out, part of his cold indifference cracking before he covered it. He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I was just an easy bed mate, and apparently, I’ve outused my welcome.”

Tears fell down my face, and I no longer cared if anyone saw them. My heart was breaking, and I had no idea why. “Lath, please, I don’t?—”

“There you are, son. I’ve been looking for you. I told you to meet me outside so we could get our picture together.”

Lathan’s head snapped up to the person behind me, and any trace of emotion he’d allowed was wiped clean.

“Mom, what are you…” he started but stopped. “This is the gala you’re attending? What the fuck?”

“Language. I didn’t spend all that money on your education, for you speak to me like a common hooligan.”

The realization of who was behind me had me straightening up. I wiped my face before I turned and stood beside Lathan. He might not want me, but I wouldn’t abandon him against his mom.

“Ah, you must be the boyfriend,” she said.

“Hello, Senator Silver. It’s a pleasure to meet you, but I’m only the roommate,” I said right as Lathan cut in.

“Teammate. Miller is moving out.”

“What?” I gasped and turned toward him, but it was useless. His mask was fully present, and there was no way to penetrate the man I’d come to know.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you regardless, Mr. Fahn. I’ve been impressed with your philanthropic efforts. I’ve told Lathan he needed to get more involved, but he eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey. I hope you’ll be a good influence on him.” She smiled over at her son. I scanned her and caught a few similarities between them…the ice-blue eyes, the white-blond hair, and a similar shape to their eyes and nose, but that was about where it ended. She was short and lithe to his tall and muscled frame.

I had no words for her, so I just nodded. My heart was breaking in front of the man I loved’s mom. It was too much.

She tilted her head toward her son. “If you didn’t know this was the gala, how did you end up here?”

“Miller forgot his phone. I was dropping it off before heading to you.”

“How considerate and lucky for you then they’re the same place or you’d be late.” She smiled, but it felt more forced than genuine.

“Speaking of, I should get ready.” I turned toward Lathan. “Thanks for bringing my phone.” He withdrew it from his pocket and placed it in my palm. His touch set my nerve endings off, and I sucked in a breath while trying to soak in every second.

Lathan held on to my hand longer than needed. He swallowed hard, his throat clicking loudly in the small bubble where only the two of us existed. When he dropped my hand, it felt like more than his touch left me. I held his gaze for a microsecond longer before turning and walking away.

My hand tingled and I held it close to my chest like a prized possession. I didn’t know what had sent him running scared, but I vowed to get to the bottom of this. I wouldn’t let him push me away.

No, not after the look in his eyes. That look told me everything I needed.

He loved me.

So I’d do what every good left-winger did when his right-wing was heavily guarded: I’d use the defense’s distraction to find my opening and score.

The first time we’d touched, it had set off a chain reaction that neither of us had foreseen. But now that I was here, I’d be damned if I let him walk away like I meant nothing to him.

He could try to push me out of his life but I wouldn’t have it.

CHAPTER28

LATHAN

My mother’sstare narrowed on me. Her blue eyes were calculating and full of curiosity, but surprisingly, they did not display the judgment I expected.

“It seems I walked into something.”

I snorted. “Why are you really here?”

She came closer and took my hand. Her touch was foreign and held no warmth like Miller’s did. It only made me miss him more. Fuck. Why had I let myself fall for him? I only had myself to blame for my current state.

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