Page 38 of Imperfect Player

Chelle cocks her head to the side. “Really? Ethan.”

“No. I’m watching because my client—”

“This has nothing to do with Maddox and you know it.”

“I just want them to do well. Both of them. Because they’re my friends. Nothing more.”

“I don’t know who you’re trying to fool, sister, but it better not be me. I know better. I know you. And you are crushing hard on Ethan Ambrose.”

“He’s just a friend.”

“Who’s just a friend?”

My body tenses at the sound of the all too familiar voice. The warning Ethan gave me earlier pops into my head.

Kai’s in town.

I didn’t really care that he was back in town. There was no inclination to see him or even think of him. He’s the past.

“Who’s just a friend?”

He repeats the question as I just stare at him. The knowledge of Kai being in town had apparently done little to prepare me for the sight of him.

He looks good, I’ll give him that. Cocksure smile, green eyes, and impeccably dressed. He’s far less casual of a man than Ethan is, choosing slacks over jeans and button-up shirts over t-shirts. What I once thought made him more refined is now something I realize is nothing more than a show.

Ethan looks better in his t-shirts and jeans than Kai could ever hope to in a tux. Ethan’s attractiveness is real, while Kai’s is strived for. And damn but if doesn’t make all the difference.

“None of your business,” I tell him, turning my attention back to the game.

“Come on, honey, don’t be like that.”

The sound of his voice triggers emotions that I kept at bay when we broke up. The way he calls me ‘honey’ makes my skin crawl.

“Don’t call me that. While we’re at it, how about you just not talk to me period.”

My voice rises with my anger as I speak.

“Lower your voice,” he tells me.

“No.”

I am so over this. Over him.

“Everly.”

I know the warning tone in his voice, and where it used to strike a fear in me, now I find amusement. Does he really think he can still control me? Still tell me what to do and how to behave? God, how had I been so stupid for so long.

I glance back at the television screen. Ethan is on the mound.

I might be his lucky charm, but Ethan has managed to instill more confidence in me than I ever had before. A confidence that is going to give me the strength to finally tell Kai exactly what I think of him.

“Actually,” I begin, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Oh yeah?”

The smug smile on his face makes my skin crawl and my stomach churn.

“Yeah, that way I can finally tell you how I really feel.”

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