Page 47 of Mad As Hell

His gaze traveled down the length of me, warming appreciatively but not in a creepy, undressing-me-with-his-eyes way. “Wow.”

My smile felt a little brittle. “Thanks.”

His gaze snapped to my eyes and didn’t drop below my chin. “Perhaps I can escort you inside? We can’t have you falling, now, can we?”

Bex made a slightly distressed sound in the back of her throat, and I knew why. Walking into the house on the arm of a guy who wasn’t my fiancée? Yeah. It wasn’t a good look, and I knew it would piss Ryan off.

And as furious as I was with Ryan, something in me recoiled at the idea of touching another guy.

So much for my moving on emotionally speech to Bex.

My heart, in all its annoying traitorous loyalty, was still firmly Team Ryan.

“I’m surprised you’re here,” I blurted out. My cheeks heated when I realized how accusatory and rude that had sounded.

Charles simply lifted his brows. “It was an open invitation, or so I was led to believe. Most of my teammates were coming, so I decided to join them.”

“Right,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “How’s your season going?”

“Soccer isn’t football, well at least not here in America, but the team is quite good,” he answered with a smile.

“That’s great.” I really tried to be enthusiastic, because he was my friend and I should be supportive. But my gaze was already wandering, searching for the guy I should be avoiding.

“I was hoping you would be here,” he admitted, his cheeks pinking a little in an adorably innocent way. He glanced back ruefully at Bex. “And I’ve completely lost all sense of manners. Apologies, Bex. How are you?”

“Fabulous,” she replied in a tone that suggested she was anything but. She gave me another look.

I grimaced as I looked at Charles. “I think I need to—”

“Oh,” he said with a soft sigh and a regretful smile. “I know that look. The it’s-not-you-it’s-me look, right?”

“Ryan and I are still engaged,” I replied carefully. “It’s… complicated.”

He gave me a tight-lipped smile in response. “Things usually are when it comes to matters of the heart. But I’m assuming he doesn’t have a leash on your friendships?”

“No,” I answered slowly.

“Then as your friend, may I offer some advice?” His tone dropped and he edged a little closer.

Amused, I nodded back.

“What happened between you two is all over school, and while your name has been cleared, it’s also blatantly obvious to anyone paying attention that your fiancée was a little late to the realization that you were innocent of all accusations.” He gave me a knowing look.

Discomfort squirmed in my chest at the reminder. “You’re not wrong.”

“I’m also guessing that you’re not too keen on letting his lack of support slide?” A smile started to appear on his face.

“Maybe,” I hedged.

He offered his arm. “Then allow me to escort you inside. Perhaps seeing what he’s at risk of losing will give him the kick in the arse he needs to behave.”

I almost snorted at the idea of Ryan behaving, but a part of me kind of liked the idea of rubbing it in his face that I could move on. Even if it was totally for show.

“Why?” Bex asked, eyeing Charles with a frown.

“Honestly? I’ve known men like Ryan Cain my whole life. Arrogant, entitled, think they own the world.”

“Said the duke,” Bex deadpanned with an arched brow.

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