Page 55 of Savage Promises

Shane ambles up to me, fists clenched. I think he’s going to snap. But before he can say anything, I touch his arm.

“Neve said she loves your mom’s ideas. I’ll text her and ask if I can help.”

“No. You’ve done enough.” His hardened gaze meets mine, still dark and hooded with anger.

The mixed messages are a slap in the face. Neve wants no part of this, and he’s pissed. I’m trying to help, and he’spushing me away.

Just then, his phone buzzes. He glances at the screen, his expression turning cold. “I have to go.”

I barely manage a “Bye” before he’s walking away, his back impossibly straight, his shoulders rigid.

The fourth set begins, and I try to focus, but my attention keeps drifting. Shane’s absence feels heavier than his presence. It’s not until I catch movement on the sidelines that I snap back to reality.

Neve’s coach.

I’ve noticed the way he hovers over her before, but this time it’s blatant. His hand lingers on her shoulder a little too long, his smile a little too familiar.

My stomach twists with dread, knowing somehow the coach is the root of this. If only I had proof.

After the final set, where Neve’s team won the match, I wait for her near the entrance to the locker room. When she passes, I pull her aside. Roughly, my patience is gone, too.

“Is there something going on between you and your coach?” I don’t mince words.

Her eyes widen, guilt flashing across her face, but she quickly shakes her head. “No. Why... Why do you think that?”

“Because he’s always touching you, and it doesn’t look appropriate.”

“It’s nothing,” she says quickly, her tone defensive. “He’s just being supportive.”

I don’t believe her for a second.

“You’re getting married in a week and a half.” Before I can press further on her sense of timing, her teammates sweep in and pull their little star player into the locker room.

Seconds later, their post-game celebrations punctuate the silence in the corridor where I’m standing alone.

The knot in my chest tightens. Neve has her team, her games, her world. In ten days, she’ll have Shane.

The man I love.

I head out of the school alone, the echo of laughter following me like a cruel taunt. I should feel proud. Neve played incredibly tonight, and she looked so happy, laughing with her teammates as they celebrated each set’s win on the court.

But all I feel is...sick.

Something is going on.

And it is going to blow up in our faces.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lennox

The following evening, I sit perched on one of the barstools, swirling the glass rim of a Tequila Sunrise Mara whipped up for me in lazy circles. Mixed with orange juice, I don’t taste the tequila as much, a reminder of my night with Shane.

“With that new superhero blockbuster coming out tomorrow, this place will be a ghost town for a few days,” I say then take a sip. “I swear, I think half the city is waiting to see that movie.”

“I’ll be streaming it at home.” Mara cuts up some limes. “After hours. Those fools are missing out. They can have both. The best time in Astoria and their dose of Chris Hemsworth.”

“The best drinks are right here, too,” I say, raising my glass to her.

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