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“She’s been talking about apartments with Hemi and Peggy.”
My head snaps toward him. “What? How do you know that?”
“Because my daughter lives with me and hangs out with Hemi and Rix. And she talks to me.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Just because she’s talking about it doesn’t mean she’s found a place. I’d know if she had.” She would tell me. She wouldn’t just leave.
“Right, because aside from the just fucking, you talk about your living situation.”
I try to sip my beer, but it’s still empty.
He nods toward Hammer and Bea. “And in the same vein of just fucking, you’re totally okay that some dude bros are planning to make a move on Rix and my daughter?”
The two guys who were eyeing Hammer and Bea when they were doing body shots have moved in. Bea has her back to them, but Hammer keeps looking their way. I take a step toward them, but Roman grabs my arm. “You’re just fucking, huh?”
My throat tightens, and my chest does this weird thing that makes me want to rub it. “Flip will kill me if he finds out.” And he has every right to bury me in a shallow grave. I’m doing very dirty things to his baby sister. And she fucking loves it.
“The longer you hide it, the harder it’ll get,” Roman repeats. “You’re inviting all kinds of drama if you keep doing this behind Flip’s back. If he finds out, will you fight for what you want?”
I stare at him. “I’m not supposed to like her.”
But I do. And if I’m totally honest with myself, I probably always have. Sure, she was kind of annoying as a kid, but when she started high school, things changed. Though I wasn’t lying when I said I was too angry and destructive.
“But you do. You should tell him before he figures it out. It’ll still be hard, but at least you can tell him on your terms.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’m going to cockblock those dude bros so your head doesn’t explode and I don’t punch out a kid ten years younger than me.”
He heads for the girls, and I go back to the bar.
I need to figure a way out of this pact. Maybe we can make an amendment. Maybe the sex doesn’t have to end. We could still see each other after she moves out. It might even be easier because she’ll have her own place and I could go there. If that happened, we could keep it from Flip a little longer—until we got each other out of our systems. Or she got tired of my shit. The latter seems more likely.
I end up beside Hollis at the bar. He downs a scotch, and the bartender pours him another. He motions to me. “I’ll get his too, unless it’s more shots. Then he can get mine.”
“Just a beer.” I specify the brand, and the bartender grabs me a bottle. I thank her and wait until Hollis has his scotch before I clink my bottle against his glass. “Thanks for the drink.”
“You kicked ass tonight on the ice,” he says.
“So did you.” He managed an assist.
He makes a sound. “Thanks. I spent a lot of time in physical therapy so I could be an asset to the team this year and not a liability.”
“It’s healed up good, though, yeah?” He’s playing tight so far.
“Yeah. But with injuries like this, it’ll never be quite the same. It’s one day at a time. I’m good for now, though.” He sips his scotch. “I know my being back screws with the starting lineup. Just remember you’re younger, in better condition, and you’re not contending with any long-term injuries.” He tosses back his scotch. “I’m gonna head out. Have a good night.”
“You too, man.”
He glances over at the girls, maybe making sure they’re safe before he disappears into the crowd. Bea’s not hard to find. Because she’s dancing on a table with Hammer. For someone who usually follows orders and routine, and mostly has her shit together, Bea sure is a wildcard when she’s had a few drinks.
I search for Flip and spot him dancing with two women. All three of them are making out. It’s one of those nights. I push through the crowd to the table where the girls are dancing. Bea and Hammer have quite the audience. It doesn’t hurt that they’re both hot and rubbing their boobs on each other.
Hemi is watching them with a mixture of amusement and longing. Roman stands beside her with his arms crossed. Shilpa and Ashish are off to the side, completely absorbed in each other. Which isn’t unusual. I approach the table. Bea rolls her eyes, gives me her back, and shakes her ass at me. Hemi glances my way and mirrors my facial expression.
