Page 47 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

He looks up at me—a stunned look on his face. “Really? Damn. I’m going to be the fucking father of the year after this.”

As he walks away, I see Sophie walking into the room. She’s barely through the door when some guy says something to her as he holds up a bottle of wine. She hesitates a few times before she finally takes a seat across from him.

“Gentry, who’s that guy over there? The one sitting with Sophie.”

“His name’s Matt Lowry—one of our biggest sponsors. He owns a fleet of private jets.”

“Good guy?”

“No, man, total dick,” he laughs, “but most of us are. You know how it works when you get some money—it comes with some extra privileges. I’ll introduce you so you have the hookup for his jets.”

He grabs my arm and tries to pull me after him. I don’t move. He looks back and drops my arm when he sees my face.

“I’ll introduce myself,” I growl. He takes a quick step back from me.

As I close in on Matt Lowry, Sophie stands up—her body’s as rigid as a metal pole.

“It’s been nice talking to you,” she hisses, “but my client list is full right now. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to call it a night.”

Lowry jumps up. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

“The hell you will,” I say, closing the rest of the distance between us. I stand in front of Sophie.

Lowry laughs and shakes his head. “I’ve been coming to this party for three years and I’ve never even gotten close to meeting Seb Miller. Now, Sophia Banks graces my circle and you run right over here.”

He holds out his hand. I think about giving him a quick right cross to the jaw until I feel Joe’s hand on my arm, pulling me back.

“C’mon, Sophie. I’ll walk you to your room,” I say, turning around without shaking Lowry’s hand.

“Nope,” Joe says, taking Sophie’s arm. “I’ll walk her to her room.”

“You know, guys,” Sophie laughs as she pulls her arm away from Joe, “I’ll walk myself to my room because I’m an adult who has been walking for twenty years—”

“You’ve only been walking since you were six?” I say, raising my eyebrows and smiling.

“Shut up,” she says, shoving me on the chest. “I was rounding.”

She turns toward the exit. I look back at Lowry. He’s still eyeing her like a tasty snack. I know he’s going to follow her if she leaves by herself.

“Soph.” I start following her. Joe grabs my shoulder.

“Seb, I’m walking her. Stay here until I get back, and try to at least act like you’re enjoying yourself,” he says, pointing me to the group of players over in the corner. He turns to Lowry. “And Mr. Lowry, you enjoy the rest of that wine.”

Joe smiles at him before he turns away. He’s way better at hiding his feelings than I am. I’m going to have to get him to teach me how to do that. He looks over his shoulder as he follows Sophie out the door. He motions for me to start walking across the room. I nod and head over to the other players.

* * *

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