Page 62 of Ice Cold, Red Hot
SHEPHERD
Two weeks later
The annual end of season banquet hit differently this year. As I dressed, paying special attention to getting the knot on the tie I’d just bought exactly right, my mind floated through the past couple weeks.
My agent had come through—negotiating an offer with Chicago that most rookies would kill for, though of course my dad wasn’t impressed.
It didn’t matter though. The days of living my life for my dad’s ego or in some ill-fated attempt to preserve the family legacy were over. No one could carry that kind of load. My life was my own, and I was determined to live it that way.
I gave myself a cocky grin as I stared into the mirror, thinking of the other thing that had made the last two weeks absolute perfection: Celeste.
“Quit crushing on yourself, Renshaw. We need to go.”Griff appeared in the mirror behind me, looking remarkably nice in his suit. We cleaned up well.
He paused, catching his own eye and giving himself an exaggerated wink over my shoulder. “Fuck, I’m hot.” He grinned at me as I turned. “After this, wanna go use these suits to catch some tail? We could hit the strip downtown, pick up some older ladies…” He trailed off as he read my expression. “Oh that’s right. You’re married.”
“I’m not married.” I pushed past him, dropping onto the couch in the living room to tie my dress shoes.
“Might as well be. The days of fun and frivolity are over.” He sighed heavily as he sank down beside me.
“Hey,” I said, bumping him with my shoulder. “I was always leaving now anyway. Senior year, man. I can’t stay here forever.”
“You know I expect premium tix next season.”
“Same,” I laughed. I had every intention of coming back to watch the Firehawks play next year when I wasn’t on the road. Plus, Celeste would be here.
Griff’s smile dropped a bit as he met my eye, his face turning earnest. “Gonna miss you, man. But I’m glad… you know. For everything.”
I was about to respond, but he shot up off the couch. “Let’s go. We’re gonna be late.”
We didn’t have far to go. Our first stop was right across the hall. I knocked on the door, and a second later, Nat pulled it open. Her dark-rimmed eyes caught mine and she smiled, but then she saw Griff and her expression shifted. Her eyes widened and shone, and then her lids dropped like she was trying to hide it.
Interesting.
“Nat, you look nice.” Griff practically stuttered the words and I slapped him on the chest with the back of my hand.
“Try again, dude. Did you see that dress?” I turned to the woman in front of me. “You look incredible, Nat. Really beautiful.”
She beamed at me and then smirked at Griff. “That is how you compliment a woman who spent hours getting ready for you. Thanks, Renshaw. You look pretty good yourself.”
As Nat stepped past me, I barely heard the last words because something else had snared my attention. Someone else.
Celeste stood in the doorway, her figure draped in a dark silver silk sheath that hugged every curve and yet still looked far too elegant for a college sports banquet. Her hair was curled around her shoulders, framing her perfect heart-shaped face in a halo of softness. And her lips were a deep, dark burgundy that caught my attention and sent images of what I’d like to see them on shooting through my brain. She looked incredible—I couldn’t find words to express it.
“He’s speechless,” Griff laughed.
“I… I’m sorry, I am,” I said, finally finding my voice. “You look stunning,” I managed.
Pink tinged Celeste’s cheeks as she handed me her wrap and gave me her back to help her into it. “Thanks,” she whispered over her shoulder.
She turned back to face me and stepped in close, her hands sliding up my lapels. “You look amazing in this suit,” she said.
“Told you we looked hot,” Griff said, slapping my back.
“And you’re so humble,” Nat muttered.
“We better go,” Griff said, setting off down the hallway, leaving the three of us behind.
Nat rolled her eyes, and we laughed. After Celeste locked the apartment door, I offered each woman an arm, and the three of us found Griff downstairs, waiting out front.
