Page 15 of Full Tilt
Roughly translated: I didn’t come once.
He taps his knuckles against the wall, clicking his tongue once. “I’m surprised Gentry can still get it up, to be honest. He’s gotta be at least thirty-four.”
My brain fights to keep my eyes on Tommy’s face and not drop them to his crotch. “I tend to find older guys are better. More experienced and confident.”
Tommy nods like he’s agreeing, leaving me confused. “That’s what older women say when they reach a certain age and no longer interest younger guys.” He leans forward, and his breath has a minty edge to it. “I’mnot interested in you, Jenna.”
Something unwelcome shoots through me, pooling in my eyes. Rapidly, I blink away the wetness. Of all the turns this conversation could’ve taken, it had to head down my one vulnerable route.
At twenty-seven, I fear being left on the shelf while I watch all my friends happily marry and have babies. It’s probably my biggest fear, full stop.
Truthfully, I don’t know how I see my future, but I do know I don’t want to spend it alone.
My dad was an asshole to my mom, constantly cheating on her when he worked out of town. For a while after their divorce, I was determined never to get married or settle down and risk being torn apart in the same way Dad did to my mom. I think the turning point was my split from Lee almost two years ago. I liked having someone in my life, all I needed was for it to be the right person, and now, it feels like I’m fighting against time before I’m left out in the cold.
Given my failure to hide my upset, I’m certain that Tommy can tell he’s rattled me or at least touched a raw nerve. His face doesn’t change though, not an ounce of empathy entering his expression.
I fuckinghatehim. Before Holt returned to France, he told me to never speak to Tommy again. That he was bad news and out for petty revenge. I wish I’d listened to his advice.
“You are a cold and callous asshole, and I wish Holt had buried you that day.”
When he shrugs nonchalantly, it’s only my soccer career that holds me back from doing what my brother should have. All Holt asked Tommy to do that night was repeat what he had said under his breath when he walked by us.
I never found out what Tommy had said, not that I particularly care. I know it wasn’t a compliment.
He’d called me a stuck-up princess the day I told him I didn’t want to leave and go to another bar with him. We both know he was trying to get me into bed. Unfortunately for the Blades bad boy, I’d already figured he was an asshole who would likely fuck me and kick me out the first chance he got.
I’m the one who leaves a man’s bed. Always on my terms.
For a split second, I think Tommy’s going to kiss me when he leans in closer, and I hate the conflict that stirs low in my belly.
Everything about him should disgust me. He’s cruel and just like his father on the ice. He doesn’t respect the opposition, only seeking to cause as much collateral damage in his quest to be the tough guy. Hell, I’m not even sure he cares about his own teammates or the loss they endured tonight. He isn’t a professional, and he doesn’t deserve to earn big money while I play and practice with athletes who make a tenth of his salary and possess more talent and integrity than he ever will.
He stops an inch from my lips, enunciating each word as he speaks. “Talk shit and try and humiliate me again, and you really will wish your brother had retaliated that night. I can make your life hell, and I promise you I will. Don’t play this game with me, Jenna. You will lose.”
CHAPTER FIVE
TOMMY
“Listen, I know we only just started talking, but why don’t we get out of here? There are quieter bars only a couple of blocks away.”
Jenna’s sleek, dark hair shone as she flicked it over her shoulder, and I tracked the movement, enraptured and way too fucking attracted to someone I’d only briefly laid eyes on once before. I wanted her, and for the first time since I could remember, I decided to make the first move. I could tell she wanted me too. I was exactly her type—apparent by the way she checked me out every time she thought I wasn’t watching. I’d been warned by my teammates to stay away from her, not that I had any intention of following their advice.
She stared down into her half-empty glass, bottom lip pinned between her teeth as she considered my proposal.
I knew she was single and liked a good time. I’d overheard conversations with her girlfriends about her latest conquests.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your offer.” Her eyes found mine on the final few words.
There was still conflict in them, like she didn’t truly believe what she was saying. Regardless, she’d still blown me off, and that went down like a lead fucking balloon.
I’d never had a girl reject me before. Ever.
I stood up straighter, attempting to ease the tension as it built between my shoulder blades. “Don’t tell me you have a guy on the scene or some other terrible excuse like that. I know you don’t.”
She smiled, and I hated that I liked it more than her frown. “No. I just don’t think us hooking up would be a good idea. Plus …” She paused for a second as her gaze roved the room until it landed on Collins, Kendra, and Darcy on the far side of the bar. “I’m flattered and everything, but you aren’t really my type.”
I scoffed, disappointment overtaken by bitterness. This girl was full of bullshit.
