Page 117 of Well Played

Tanner looked around with his empty glass in hand. “Where the hell is the waitress?”

“She’s busy bringing out desserts,” Levi said. He picked up the full water glass in front of him and set it down in front of his brother. “If you’re thirsty, how about some water?”

Tanner scowled. “I’ll leave the agua for theprofessional athletesin training.” He slid the glass back across to Levi, sloshing it onto the table along the way. Then he looked around again. With the waitress still nowhere in sight, Tanner pushed his chair back. “Looks like I have to go get my own. Anyone want anything?”

Levi and I shook our heads, not that Tanner waited for our responses. He was already heading for the door, presumably to the bar in the main restaurant. He definitely didn’t need another drink, but I was relieved to have a minute without him watching me like a hawk.

Levi leaned in and whispered, “Has he been drinking like this a lot lately?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

Levi’s eyes roamed my face. It looked like he wanted to say something more, but then he nodded and turned away.

A few minutes later, the door to the private dining room opened again, and Tanner strolled back in. Only now, he was no longer alone. A tall, shapely redhead wearing a dress that was definitely a size too small for her walked next to him.

I held my breath as he approached the table with a full drink and a vicious smile.

“This is Arielle.” He pointed to her and then took a big slug from his glass. “Like from the Disney movie,Aladdin.”

I mumbled under my breath. “OrThe Little Mermaid.”

“Hey, big bro, Arielle here is a Broncos aficionado.” He pointed to the woman again. “Go ahead. Tell him his passer rate last year.”

The woman flashed a glossy smile. “Sixty-seven point seven percent. Highest in the NFL.”

“And how many yards did he throw for?”

“Four-thousand, seven-hundred and seventy.”

“How about the year before?”

“Four-thousand, three-hundred and twelve.”

Tanner tilted his glass to his brother. “You’re welcome.” Then he announced to the table as a whole. “Can everyone please move down to make room for Arielle?”

I wanted to tell him to cut it out, but if I challenged him, I was afraid he would make an even bigger scene. A few people looked over at Tanner with concern on their faces, yet they shifted their seats. Tanner strolled down to the end of the table and grabbed an empty chair, then returned to make it fit next to his seat.

If this was an attempt to make me jealous, he’d failed to realize it wouldn’t work. Jealousy only rears its ugly head when something youwantis threatened.

He held his hand out for Arielle to sit and flashed a wicked smile at me. “Presley, honey, why don’t you come sit next to me so Levi can sit with his new friend?”

Levi looked over at me and then at his brother. His teeth were clenched as he spoke. “That’s not necessary, Tanner.”

“Sure it is. And Presley doesn’t mind at all, right, babe?”

Through my peripheral vision, I saw practically the entire table watching the scene. So I quietly got up and walked around to the other side, hoping to diffuse the situation. Arielle squealed athank youand ran around to take my seat next to Levi.

Tanner proceeded to finish his newest drink and snaked his arm around the back of my chair. Levi said nothing, but kept staring daggers at his brother. I began to worry things might come to a head. I did my best to remain calm, but when I noticed Arielle’s hand slip into Levi’s lap, I’d had enough. I tossed my napkin on the table without touching my dessert.

“It’s getting late. I’m going to take Alex back to the hotel.”

“What? The night is barely getting started,” Tanner said.

“Actually, I think this night has gone on long enough.” I stood.

Tanner tried to stand, but he stumbled back into his seat. “I’ll go with you.”

I placed my hand firmly on his shoulder. “Please don’t. Maybe Arielle can find a friend for you.”

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