Page 68 of His Last Shot
Her lips tick up in a ghost of a smile as she replies the only way her heart allows. “I love you too. So much.”
The noise of the restaurant fades into the background; I don’t even care that we are in a public place. Pulling her mouth to mine, I seal our confession with a deep and lingering kiss.
“Ahem!” The rude interruption forces us to break apart. Without removing my palm from her cheek, I turn to regard the person who inserted themselves into our private moment. And who it is doesn’t surprise me. His looming presence is always unmistakable.
It’s Dexter and Drew Who.
Casually, I drape my arm over Rachel’s shoulder while she shyly turns her face to her water glass and takes a quick sip. “Dex. Drew.” My greeting is flat, void of any emotion.
Drew’s bald head is especially shiny tonight. It looks like he’s greased the thing. He probably did. And Dexter, of course, is wearing one of his obnoxious three-piece suits. His pot belly sticking out like a sore thumb. Staring at him reminds me of a character from a movie or TV show. But I can’t place who.
Shaking the thought from my head, I turn to Drew Who. He fixes his narrow, angry eyes, blazing with fury, directly at me.
I meet his fiery gaze, smirk, and lightly squeeze Rachel’s shoulder.
Drew and I still play each other on tourney nights. And I beat him. Every single time. I will, however, give credit where credit is due. His play has improved. A lot since we met at the table a little over three months ago.
When we play, I can’t help but notice the disdain on his face every time he sees Rachel and me together. I’m sure it drives him mad when my arms snake around her waist from behind and I kiss her shoulder (she loves it). Or when we sneak in little pecks on the lips or cheek every chance we get.
Hey, if he was a better human, this could have been him sitting here with her.
His loss equals my gain.
Rachel’s relationship with Dexter has changed as well. I’ve stayed out of it, since it’s something she has to work through on her own terms. But gradually, the hold and control he has over her is slipping through his fingers. Now that her life is moving forward with me, she is realizing how she can have happiness and freedom. Plus, she’s even mentioned nursing school from time to time. My girl is ready to shine like the star she is.
And I can’t wait to witness all of it.
Thankfully, Drew hasn’t tried to interfere in our relationship. He knows better than to attempt any conversation with her. But it’s pretty obvious the man is still in love with her.
Which does not sit well with me and another reason I like to be at her side whenever I can. I don’t trust these two.
But since we are in a public place, and I don’t want to appear rude, I will be cordial.
Reluctantly.
Dexter decides to open his mouth. “Rachel. Johnny. I hope you are having a lovely dinner tonight?”
“We are, thank you,” Rachel answers. Her voice is small. Like it always is when she’s with her uncle.
“Rachel,” Drew calls to her. She glances at him. “I’ve missed you. How have you been?”
My back stiffens as I recoil my arm from Rachel’s shoulder, and immediately, my defenses are up. “Are you kidding me right now?” I challenge through gritted teeth. Rachel’s palm finds my thigh and squeezes. I’m not sure if she’s trying to calm me down, or she’s uncomfortable and is grounding herself to me. Probably a little of both.
“Johnny. Don’t. Please,” she pleads with me in a low voice.
“Now, now. Rachel’s right. There’s no need to get worked up. Drew here was just stating the obvious,” Dexter comes to his buddy’s defense.
“The only obvious thing I know is that”—I look Drew squarely in the eye—“you have no right to miss her after the way you treated her.”
A small smile creeps across Rachel’s lips. I continue. “If she doesn’t want to speak to you or have a relationship with you, that’s on—”
“I can speak for myself, Johnny,” Rachel chimes in.
My gaze whips from Drew and locks on her; I can’t deny the truth in her words. Rachel can speak for herself.
So she does.
Her shoulders square back as her chin jets out. Narrowed eyes land on him as she exudes nothing but calm and focus. I sit back, giving her this moment.
