Page 51 of Houston, We Have a Problem
Now I have a knot in my stomach and a throbbing in my chest that’s telling me she wants me to kiss her. And I want to do it. But four days ago I thought I was head over heels for Darcy Paxton, and this is not the kind of man I want to be. One night of dancing isn’t the same as a date. An hour or two of talking isn’t the same as really knowing a person. No matter the attraction I feel for either of these women, it isn’t fair to them for me to gravitate toward whichever one I currently hold in my arms. It’s what my dad did, and I won’t be that kind of man.
“Now,” I say, dragging my attention from her full, red lips, “I should let you get to bed.”
The gala is dying down. We’re one of the last couples on the dance floor, and anyone who might want to talk to me is either too drunk to be lucid or already gone. I probably have a message waiting for me from Roundy, telling me I’m free to go. And yet it’s so hard to step away from Tamlin, which is as surprising as the disappointment in her eyes. She feels so familiar, like I’ve known her forever.
A week ago, I expected us to be mortal enemies for the rest of my career, maybe even beyond. Now…
Now, I really need a moment to myself so I can think.
“Can I make sure you’re safely on your way home?” I ask her as I stuff my hands into my pockets to keep them to myself.
She glances around the room, blinking as if still trying to break free of the bubble we’ve been in. I don’t blame her. She fits so well against me that my empty arms feel heavy and cold, and if it weren’t for Darcy, I would have an even harder time walking away tonight. The old Houston wouldn’t hesitate, but living deliberately means I need to think through my actions and recognize that jumping into something like this with both feet comes with consequences.
Especially with someone like Tamlin Park. While tonight she seemed to be natural and authentic, I’ve seen her make that switch before. I know there’s a dangerous side of her. She may not have it out for me—not something I can know for sure—but she still holds a lot of power she could wield against me. If not her, she works for a company that has never been shy about using athletes as pawns to build their following.
“You okay?” Tamlin asks, cocking her head as she watches me. She can probably see all sorts of thoughts running through my head because I’m half-convinced she’s a mind reader like Kit. There has to be a way she always knows which questions to ask to trap someone into revealing everything.
I give her a smile that feels more fake than real, but maybe she’ll buy it. “There’s…a lot going on right now,” I say, which is true. “I’m tired.” Also true.
Tamlin approaches cautiously, like I’m some sort of wild animal, and then she brushes her fingertips across my cheekbone in a featherlight touch that makes my hair on my neck stand on end. “I’m probably the worst person to give this advice, but hear me out. You can’t do it all. If you give yourselfone hundred percent all of the time, there’s going to be nothing left.” Then she leans up, brushes a warm kiss against my cheek, and leaves me standing there as she heads for the door.
Though she’s still waiting for a ride when I get outside, I force myself to keep some space between us. She’s deep in conversation on the phone anyway, and her ride pulls up at the same time mine does. I’m almost glad I don’t have my truck; I would have been way too exhausted to drive myself home after tonight.
The sight of my house brings both relief and increased tension. I’m so ready to crash into my glorious bed, but I don’t know how well I’ll be able to sleep when I know Darcy is just on the other side of the wall. I only make it as far as my living room before my feet won’t go any farther, and I hate that I can’t just let things go. I shouldn’t have pushed this off for so long, especially because now she’s sick and probably—hopefully—dead asleep.
My debate lasts nearly five minutes, and in the end my mental exhaustion wins over the physical. I’ll just ask for clarification about who Jesse is. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. I’m sure she’ll have a logical explanation, and then I can sleep easier until tomorrow.
As I step out onto the porch, movement on the driveway catches my eye and brings me to a dead stop. “Tamlin?”
Her head snaps up, eyes going wide as if she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t. Well, obviously she shouldn’t be here. Was all of tonight an act? A way to get close to me and get me off my guard?
“Are you following me?”
She relaxes, looking around the street before she says anything. “So, this is where you live? Not what I expected. Not by a longshot.”
“You shouldn’t be here, Park.”
“Would you relax? I’m not here for you.”
Why else would she possibly be here?
Probably reading my question in my glare, she waves her phone at me. “I got a tip tonight. Someone who works at a tattoo parlor here in Sun City got in touch with me after he overheard something about a gambling ring that’s getting people into trouble because the game feeds are delayed. Pretty standard con, from the sound of it.”
She says it so confidently that I have to believe her, and Jesse works at a parlor. I guess it could be him? But… “Now? It’s almost midnight.”
“I’m not going to let someone else take my story if it’s something good.”
Also logical, but after I spent the night keeping her safe from the aftereffects of Malcolm Callahan, I can’t be comfortable with the idea of her wandering around a strange city in the middle of the night. Sun City has a low crime rate for its size, but unless Tamlin is a black belt in jiu jitsu, she’s putting herself in danger.
And Jesse still terrifies me a little.
“I’m coming with you,” I say firmly.
Her mouth forms an O as she glances next door. “That isn’t necessary, Briggs. I can handle myself.”
“Tonight told me otherwise. I’m coming.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m not going to get murdered in a duplex basement. Besides, isn’t this guy your neighbor? You don’t seem the type to live next door to an ax murderer.”
