Page 84 of Call the Shots
Elijah arched an eyebrow. “Aww, Bear.”
“Shut up.”
“What a softie.”
“I’ll elbow you in the throat.” Bear cut into the pancakes covered in rainbow sprinkles. “Then you’ll see how fucking soft I am.”
The guys snorted, I did too, but I snuck another look at Bear. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he said at the party. Maybe it was because I was drunk but ‘don’t touch my fucking kid’ played in my mind like a new favorite song.
“June?” Bear asked. “Do you want some pancakes?”
“Oh, no, I’m good with this?—”
“You didn’t have any of the birthday cake, I figured you might want some.”
My eyes snapped to Bear’s while the rest of the guys talked about the junior league. The longer Bear gazed, the more my blush darkened, and I dug my spoon in the fruit parfait again, looking away.
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “Thanks though.”
CHAPTER 32
BEAR
THE BIGGEST BAGGAGE I HAVE
The guys mumbledthrough drunk songs while I had my arm around June’s waist, walking her to our dorm. Once we were inside, it was quiet.
“I can handle it,” she repeated. I made sure she was on her bed and went for my ice pack and a paper towel. She hesitated. “I don’t need the?—”
“You can’t put it directly on your skin.”
“No, I—um—okay.” She slipped off her heels and winced at the cold.
I cleared my throat. “That looks like?—”
“It’s been a while since?—”
We stopped talking and an awkward silence settled. I wasn’t sober and I could feel it in every breath I took, leaving things fuzzy. I cleared my throat a second time.
“Tomorrow, I can?—”
“That was nice that?—”
We shared painful smiles.
“That was really nice,” June said finally. “That you defended Montoya like that.”
“It’s whatever.” I started untying my bed sheet. “I’ve never been to a party like that. Thanks for…Montoya had a great time.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Too bad your boyfriend had to miss it.” I slid in the remark like it was a casual thing to say, watching her face. “Where’d he spend the night anyway?”
June tilted her head, her smile gone. “Don’t.”
“What?”
“I know what you’re doing, Bear.”
