Page 80 of Invisible String
She extends her hand. “Hi, Ney, nice to meet you.”
“You can call me Rainey, and it's nice to meet you.”
She blushes. She seems to be around my age. “I’m sorry. I thought that was your name.”
“My family and close friends call me Ney.”
We all chat for a bit longer until my brother pulls his date to the table so he can eat her face. I scan the room and make eye contact with a few recognizable celebrity actors. My attention is then drawn to the boxer who will fight in the main event in a couple of months.
A tall guy joins Andrew in a conversation while I scan the crowd in boredom once again. Andrew’s hands slowly but gently make their way up my back while deep in conversation. I’m about to move them off me, but a pair of emerald-green eyes catches my attention. Blood rushes to my beating heart. Air suffocates my chest, making it hard to breathe, seeing Annette so close to Max. He’s here with her. Jealousy stirs in the pit of my stomach. She’s stunning in her red dress, slits showing her toned thighs. Her body is so sculpted and muscular. She must still be a boxer. Her black raven hair is long, shiny, and beautiful. Max guides her, his hand at the small of her back. She sways her perfect hips as they walk. The perfect couple. They fit well together.
I can’t help but feel jealous when I see him, even though I was the one who told him to leave me alone. How could I not when he just walked away after I finally confessed my love for him? He didn’t even try to keep in touch. He just left without a backward glance. A part of me wants nothing to do with him, yet here I am, still torn apart by his absence.
Was she at all his matches? Was she cleaning his wounds? Did he break all his walls for her and let her in? Why did he come and look for me to stir my emotions again when he was with her? The thought of her touching what was once mine makes me sick. I shake my head.He was never yours, Rainey. He sure in hell isn’t yours now.I don’t want him. I despise him.
My heart aches with unbearable pain as I watch him. I follow his every move, unable to look away. The black suit fits him perfectly, showcasing the strength of his muscles as they strain against the fabric.
He looks so good. Too good.
“Sweetie, should we go sit?” Andrew suggests his friend pass us.
I hate when he calls me sweetie. When it comes from his lips, it sounds like he’s talking to a toddler. My gaze goes to Max, and for a quick second, he’s speaking with another bulky man, his hands at his side. She keeps leaning into him.
“Sure,” I say dryly, following him. My nails dig into my thigh.
He stops dead in his tracks, waiting for me with his hand out. My gaze goes to it. “We are not in a relationship, Andrew. I’m here as your friend.”
His jaw tightens, and he turns to a round table with a white tablecloth. My lungs fill with a slow, steady breath. Alcohol sounds good about now. Maybe a few.
“You have nothing to be jealous of. I wouldn’t know if she is attracted to me or flirty. I didn’t pay attention.” Another kiss. “I never do. My attention has solely been on you.”Those words at the gym rumble in my memory. Max wouldn’t be with her if he didn’t find her attractive.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
MAX
The glass nearly shatters in my hand as I grip it tightly, imagining it as Andrew's neck. It didn’t cross my mind that the defense attorney and his selected crew would be here. Fucking Rowan Collins. The man I loathe more than anything.
“Get a grip on yourself. What has you all riled up?” Xander takes a lazy drink of his beer.
“Rainey is here with Andrew,” I tell him, since he knows some of the bullshit Carlos and I have been talking about. He doesn’t know the full story, but enough to understand who I’m talking about. His jaw slackens, eyebrows shooting up to his hairline, fully aware of the impact it will have on me and how it will force me to do something impulsive.
“I’ll block the bathroom door if you want to dunk his head in the toilet,” he quips.
Fuck, she’s stunning. The dress molds to every curve of her lavish body. That ass. I just want my hands all over it. Her hips sway as she walks to the bar. The dickhead has his hand on the small of her bare back.
“Oh, fuck!” Xander shouts over the music and chatter. I follow where he’s glancing. My jaw turns to steel. The boss ofthe Underground fights stands five feet from us. Daniel stands with his hands in his pockets, talking to Enzo, his second in command.
“Never expected him to be here, but then again, I should know better. He circles the high rollers who are in his pocket.”
I nod, tossing the cup in a bin. Daniel turns to us and gives us his lopsided smile. His tall, hulking figure struts our way. “Fuck,” I say under my breath. I hate this son of a bitch. Since he saw I was making his Underground fight money, he’s acted like he owns me. He knows I answer to no one.
“Gentlemen, it’s good to see you both out tonight.” He looks at Xander and then at me. “Cano, I see you have a fight coming up sooner than I thought.”
“I do.” My response is sharp and cold. I lock my gaze with his dark, malicious gaze.
Daniel runs his thumb on his chin. “Did you think about what we spoke about?”
“I did. Nothing has changed.”
