Page 64 of Full Tilt
Jesus Christ, I’m a terrible liar.
When Holt doesn’t respond, I check my phone just in case we got disconnected.
“He’s probably going to get traded soon anyway,” I continue.
Finally, Holt speaks, and I breathe a sigh of relief. If he could see my flushed cheeks, he’d instantly know I was lying. To be honest, I can’t be sure he’s buying my bullshit right now.
“Stay away from him, Jen. You know I never interfere with your life because who the fuck am I to get involved? But that guy …” He trails off, and I can practically hear his molars grinding. “He’s bad fucking news. Men like him wouldn’t know how to treat a woman right if they had a decency chip planted into their brain. He’s a prick. Plain and simple.”
As Holt finishes up his warning, Kendra approaches me with a beer, and I take it from her.
She cocks her head to the side, studying me carefully. I know my expression is the complete opposite of the one I was wearing in the shower, and that’s not something I can hide from my best friend.
“I need to go,” I tell Holt. “Kendra just handed me a beer, and the girls are waiting for me to finish it so we can head into town.”
“You heard what I said, right, Jen?” Holt presses me for at least an acknowledgment.
I take a small sip of beer and catch Kendra’s concerned gaze.
“I heard,” is all I say, shifting from one foot to the next.
Holt makes something akin to an agreeable noise, and my shoulders drop from around my ears. “All right, sis. Go have fun, and I’ll catch up with you soon.”
When I disconnect the call, I can feel a pair of brown eyes boring into my skull. Kendra is on the warpath.
“You’re hiding something from me, Jenna, and I want to know what it is.”
I’m scrambling for something, anything, to satisfy her and throw her off the scent of Tommy. And while I know I technically should keep this to myself until the team officially makes an announcement, it’s the only plausible alibi I can think of on the spot.
I pocket my phone and look up at her, plastering on a faux smile.
“Can you keep a secret?” I ask, knowing full well she can. Kendra is a vault.
She steps closer, one brow quirked. “Spill.”
“Well, tonight, we aren’t just celebrating the shield.”
Her eyes grow wide. “We aren’t?”
I shake my head, and my real grin returns. “Nope. Tonight, we can secretly celebrate my recent appointment as your new captain for next season.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
JENNA
“I’m part delighted, part fearful that as of next season, you will be my boss.” Kendra’s ambivalence is reflected on her face when she takes a sip of soda and leans against the pool table.
We’ve been out for several hours, and I’ve lost count of how many drinks I’ve had. Still, I’m pretty much in control of my senses, if not a little wobbly on my legs.
Leaning forward on my pool cue, I size up my next shot, closing one eye to focus on a purple number 4 ball.
I miss in spectacular fashion, not even coming close to sinking the ball, and I drop my head down against the green felt lining the top of the table.
If Kendra hadn’t made it as a pro soccer player, I’m sure she could’ve made a living from this sport instead. She’s been kicking my ass for the past fifteen minutes.
“You look like you could use a little help there.”
A deep voice I don’t recognize speaks from behind me, and I look up to find my best friend already on her way to therestroom. I haven’t taken in the source of the voice, but judging by the way Kendra just made herself scarce, I’m guessing whoever is standing behind me is hot.
