Page 89 of Heartbreaker
Mike smirks. “You know, I have to ask…”
“I wish you wouldn’t.” I scoff, still trying to keep it playful.
“Who is this handsome fellow?”
“That is just a friend.”
“Just a friend?” Mike’s brow raises even higher. “You look awfully cozy forjustfriends.”
“We went to high school together, and he’s friends with my brother’s wife. Nothing more going on there. Trust me.”
“Oh, look at that blush! Spill the tea, Sav.”
There isn’t a blush until he says it. I try to hide the warmth growing in my cheeks, but having so many sets of eyes on me only makes it worse.
Yes, Jaxon and I reconnected at the wedding, but we haven’t spoken since. Only minutes before we were interrupted, Jaxon had approached me and said, "Told you he was really into you."
I rolled my eyes.
"So, what happened between you two?"
“That is none of your business, Jax.”
“Indulge me, Sav.”
I refused, changing the conversation to something less EWE-related and more Jaxon-related. I knew if there was one way to course-correct, it was to get Jaxon Gallagher to talk about himself. The shift in conversation had worked, and after several minutes of listening to him talk about the two (yes, two) girls he’d recently started seeing, I was happy I wouldn’t have to do that again for a while.
Mike looks around me to Brooks and says, “Looks like you have a little competition,Taylor.”
“He wishes.” Brooks laughs but refuses to look at me when I whip around and stare at him. His blue eyes look brighter under the studio lights, and there’s a twinkle of mischief in them when he finally looks down at me. His hand grazes the back of my neck before his fingers squeeze gently, possessively. The action throws kindling on the smoldering fire beneath my skin. My body vibrates under his touch, a familiar bloom deep in my core.
“I’m curious,” Mike says, pulling his gaze away from mine. “What made you decide to finally pick up the phone and call her? You obviously needed a tag partner, but whySavvy Skye?”
“Wouldn’t you?” Brooks’s confidence is unwavering before they share a laugh.
“Absolutely, but aren’t you a little scared she will turn on you again?”
That catches our attention, and the thumb that had been caressing the side of my neck freezes. I glare at the host, who seems to realize he’s struck a nerve.
Mike’s hands come up in surrender. “I’m just saying, I’d be a little wary, considering your history. But hey, I know we’re all interested to see how everything plays out, especially after that match you had withViviana,Brooks.” From the corner of my eye, I see the producer signal for Mike to move along, knowing they’ve backed themselves into a corner and need to get out of it. “Anyway,Savvy, are you back full-time or is this just a quick in-and-out favor for a friend?”
“Guess you’ll have to wait and see,” I say, replacing my smile.
“You’re such a tease!” Mike giggles.
I laugh along with our host, settling back further into the couch and Brooks. His fingers give my nape another gentle squeeze, and it eases the pit in my stomach. I’m not sure why I worry about what he thought when he saw that photo of me and Jaxon; it shouldn’t matter. We weren’t together. We aren’t together.
“You need to convince her to stay!” Mike says, craning his neck again to look at my counterpart.
“I’m not sure I’m the person to do that,” Brooks says evenly. “She might run the other way.”
“Oh, pishposh! Something tells me you’re theonlyone who can.”
The elevator ride to the twenty-fourth floor has been excruciatingly silent. Actually, the entire car ride back to the hotel was this way. After our appearance onThe Mike Monahan Showyesterday, Savannah and I have been dragged all over the city. Appearing in a multitude of shows, radio interviews, podcast interviews, content shoots, and even a magazine interview. Everywhere we go, we’ve been asked the same questions over and over and over again.
Today at LNX Upfronts was no different. It’s the annual event where Live Network Exchange showcases its upcoming programming slated for the new season—entertainment, news, sports, and any other content they plan to have on their broadcast channels. I lost count of the number of times Savannah was asked if her return was a permanent thing or if it meant we were back together. Liketogethertogether. Each time, she handled it with more grace than I expected, especially after the fiftieth time it was asked, and said, “No, I’m just here to help out an old friend.” Then she’d glance my way with a brief smile before turning back to the person standing in front of her. That smile chipped away at my resolve every time I saw it. I hated that her return to the ring was being equated to us getting back together—by interviewers, fans, and coworkers alike. Savannah should be able to come back without it being solely based on me.
Stepping out of the elevator, she picks up her pace down the hallway. Last night I let her get away, but tonight I have questions—a lot of questions. If we’re going to work together, we need to be on the same page about some things. Starting with that damn picture of her and Jaxon from Crew’s wedding. Okay, maybe that isn’t any of my business, it won’t hinder us working together, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to know the truth.
