Page 14 of Score to Settle
Mia and Harper fall into an easy conversation and I sit back, enjoying the buzz of the bar and being with my brothers. I can’tremember the last time we were all together like this, only that it’s been a while.
Then Dylan claps his hands and leans across the table, pointing at Mia. “I’ve just figured out where I know you from,” he says with a broad smile.
“Yeah, dummy.” Chase laughs. “High school. Mia, Harper, and I had homeroom together.”
I glance to Harper, catching the flush to her cheeks, and wonder again why she’s kept it quiet that we went to the same high school. Most people can’t wait to tell me about a connection, although usually it’s someone’s friend’s cousin who sat behind me on a flight once.
“I was three grades above you, bro. No way I remember you two from high school. But I do know that you’re Mia Arquette,” Dylan says, turning back to Mia with a grin. “You used to do barrel racing at the rodeo, right?”
Arquette.The last name snags in my thoughts. She isn’t connected to Arquette Media, is she? The same company who ownsSports Magazinewhere Harper now works? I file that thought away for later as Mia’s face lights up.
“Sure did.” She tips her imaginary cowboy hat and we all laugh.
“Why’d you stop?” Dylan asks. “I never saw anyone ride like that.”
The light in Mia’s eyes fades in an instant and it’s obvious it’s a sore topic. But Mia shrugs and takes a long sip of wine. “Had to grow up sometime,” she says like it was no big deal.
“Hey, Harper, why didn’t you mention you went to our high school?” Dylan asks and I wonder if he senses the awkwardness of Mia’s reply and is trying to move the conversation along. Although from the look of terror crossing Harper’s face, he’s waltzed us right into another awkward moment.
“Oh… I… didn’t think it was important,” she stammers.
“Really?” I turn to Harper, making sure she feels my gaze on her. I’m not sure why Harper is so embarrassed but I’m enjoying watching her squirm.
“It’s not like I actually knew either of you. Just Chase…” she says, her voice trailing off.
Mia nudges her friend. “Harper doesn’t like to remember high school. Seeing what a total nerd she was back then.”
“Hey.” Harper swipes Mia’s arm but the comment lightens the tension in Harper’s face.
Mia flashes Harper a wicked grin. “It’s true. You even used to?—”
Before Mia can finish, Harper leaps up, half shoving Mia out the booth. “We need more drinks. Mia, come help me.”
They huddle close as they step to the bar, talking back and forth, and when Mia whispers something in Harper’s ear, she throws her head back, laughing in a way that has my gaze pulling to those red lips again.
I’m clearly not the only one to notice because a beat later, Gordon is leaning casually beside them. He places his hand on Harper’s arm as he talks, and whatever he says, it makes all three of them laugh. I shift in my seat, annoyance rising inside me.
Gordon is always pulling crap like this—swooping in on women, charming them into his bed with his preppy blond hair and clean-shaven look. I don’t give a shit what the likes of Gordon do in their spare time, but it pisses me off when his reputation remains squeaky clean. Especially when he seems to enjoy making sure mine stays in the mud. I’m certain he was the one who released the video of me at practice last month. Even if he denies it, blaming one of the other players after he’d shared it on the team group chat.
Chase and Dylan are still deep in conversation about game play with Edward sitting silently between them. As much as I’d love to join them, I can’t take my eyes off Harper as she shiftsaway from Gordon’s touch and tries to catch Flic’s attention to order. There’s something in the uncertainty in Harper’s eyes that makes my protective instinct kick in. I might not like Harper, but no one deserves Gordon hitting on them. I’m by her side in three strides.
“You ladies look like you need a hand,” I say with a wink to Harper and a wave to Flic. “Mia, you might want to rescue Edward. He looks about as comfortable as a Stormhawks fan at a Vegas Desertraptors convention.”
Mia’s mouth makes a perfect “O” shape and then she laughs. “I’m on it.” She flashes Harper a grin, conveying a silent message that makes Harper roll her eyes at Mia’s back as she heads to the table.
“Hey, Jake, we’re good here,” Gordon says, barely acknowledging me as he focuses on Harper.
I resist the urge to shove him away, reminding myself we’re in public. Instead, I turn my body, blocking his view of Harper as I give our drinks order to Flic before turning to Gordon. For a second, we’re locked in a silent standoff, neither wanting to back down.
Then Harper’s voice cuts in. “I’m fine, Jake. You don’t need to be here. Gordon was just being friendly.”
That’s not what I’d call it, but I don’t argue. “Sure thing. Hey, let me make the introductions. Harper, it looks like you’ve met Gordon Jenkins.”
“People call me Flash,” Gordon says with that grin of his that makes me want to break his nose.
I smirk. “Only your mother, Gordon. That name ain’t catching on.” I nod to Harper. “This is Harper Cassidy, a journalist fromSports Magazine.”
I don’t mention the feature she’s writing on me. It’s only a matter of time before the team finds out and corners Harper to share every embarrassing story about me. The longer I can keepit quiet for, the better. But as I expected, the mention of Harper’s profession is enough for Gordon to back down. He’s looking for a woman to warm his bed tonight, but he’s not stupid enough to make a move on a journalist and risk damaging his reputation.
