Page 7 of Shot Taker

“So, you’re back!” Miles is enthusiastic. “How long are you staying?”

Clay pulls out his phone and starts typing.

“Ah. Until I finish this mural for the Kodiaks' anniversary gala.”

I pretend I don’t care if he’s talking to a woman. So what if one of the Kodashians is keeping his bed warm?

I was never in it.

A spot on my arm where he caught me burns, and I rub it absently. Clay’s gaze lifts from his phone to follow the motion.

Even when he’s not trying to leave a mark, he manages to.

“What a little gathering.”

The familiar voice and sound of shoes down the hall has us all turning to see Harlan, his smile wide.

Clay, already at arm's length, steps back further.

Can he really not stand the sight of me?

“Hello, Nova.” Harlan smiles. “Welcome back.”

“Hi.” I force a smile in return.

“Gentlemen, there’s a team meeting before you all go home. Coach promised to keep it short.”

The guys grumble about their plans and the rest they’d been hoping to get as they follow Harlan down the hall.

All except Clay.

He’s rooted to the ground, his eyes changing color from caramel to chocolate.

His gaze falls to my arm again, the red mark where he caught me standing out against my pale skin.

Clay frowns. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

My chest knots. He hurt me so much worse a month ago.

“I can take it.” I drag the headphones off my neck and wind the cord in my hands. “I should get back to work, and it sounds like you should too.”

I arch a brow, hoping I look bored rather than unnerved.

Clay bends to pick up my fallen pencils one by one. He straightens and places them in my hand, folding my fingers closed around them.

“I like your hair.”

My breath catches, and I resist the urge to play with the strands I had a few inches chopped off before coming here as he turns to follow the others down the hall.

* * *

The lobby is full of suits and skirts. I scan the crowd before landing on Mari getting out of an elevator at her office building.

My sister’s green jacket looks amazing with her dark hair, a chic bob. She spots me a moment after I see her, and we meet in the middle.

“Meeting ran late,” Mari says, wrapping me in a hug.

“It’s okay. Want to grab a drink?”

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