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There’s a reason Smith, or as we like to call him, Smithy, is known as the player of our team. He uses that cocky grin to get his way… and whatever girl he wants under him.
“Nah, I'm positive you can't compete with her guy.” Amusement lights up Cord’s face and I narrow my eyes on him.
How does Cord and Leo know this woman? If they know her, I must know her too, right? We’ve run in the same small circles for so long, I'm not sure Cord and Leo know a single person I don’t.
I step around another person trying to grab my attention and move further into the bar. This is why I don’t go out very often. People recognize me way too easily if I’m seen in public with any other Pit Bulls players.
“Cord!” A woman squeals and runs past me. Her brown hair is a blur as she launches herself into the air, and wraps her arms around Cord’s neck and her legs around his waist. She buries her face in the crook of his neck and he holds onto her like she’s his entire world.
Charlie used to hug me like that when I came home from college. She was like a spider monkey and wouldn’t let go of me. So many times, I’d have to carry her around Mulberry Lane just so I could say hello to everyone.
Lifting my beer to my lips, I watch Cord with jealousy. I want a woman to hold onto me like that again. No. Not just any woman. I want Charlie and I to get back to the point where she greets me like that all over again.
The girl pulls back and Cord sets her back on the ground. There are big smiles on both of their faces.
Then I realize who she is.
I choke on my drink, the alcohol burning my throat as I attempt to figure out how to swallow like a normal human.
“Are you ok?” Her voice washes over me and I'm hit with so many emotions at once.
Regret over what happened between us.
Anger over her hugging Cord like that.
Jealousy over her picking Cord and not me to greet.
And every memory of what it was like to hold her and kiss her. Fuck.
“Just fucking fantastic,” I rasp out before coughing again. Perfect. This is exactly how I wanted seeing Charlie Robinson for the first time in years to playout. Insert eye roll here.
“Aw, what the hell, Powell! I called her first!” Smithy whines, but I barely hear him.
My sole focus is on the woman standing in front of me. The one I haven’t stopped thinking about since I was ten years old. The one who put my broken heart back together and told me it was going to be ok because the heart is like bone and it heals stronger where it was once broken.
“You can't call dibs on someone who’s already taken.” Leo shakes his head.
“She’s always been Wyatt’s girl. I knew that the first day I met them almost fourteen years ago.” Cord smirks. “If I thought she was available at any point over the years, I would’ve flirted a little more.”
“Shut up, Powell,” I growl, never taking my eyes off of her.
“See! Wyatt’s girl. I’d stay far, far, away if I were you.”
“I'm no one’s girl, Cord.” Charlie rolls her eyes. “I'm as single as can be.” She makes sure she’s looking directly at me when she says that last bit.
And just like that, I feel like a bucket of ice-cold water has been poured over my head. She’s always quick to point out how single and available she is. Like I could ever forget how I royally fucked up everything.
“I can change that, beautiful.” Smithy slides up next to her and I have to clench my fists at my sides to keep from punching him.
“It’s cute how you think I couldn’t change that myself if I wanted to.” Charlie pats him on the chest.
“Yeah, but do you feel those pecs? Most guys don’t have pecs like this.” He grips her hand and guides it down his chest and over his abs. “And these abs? No one has abs like this.”
“Hmm, I only count six. Blake has an eight-pack.” She shoves him away gently, leaving Smithy wondering what just happened.
“Who the hell is Blake?” His hand is still hovering over his abdomen.
“My dad.” I snort with laughter. It isn't often Smithy gets turned down, but having him compared to Dad is amazing.
