Page 2 of Untroubled Heart

“Same time next week?” Tristan asks as we move to collect our bags from the sidelines, nodding to the guys on the next court over.

Emilia, one of the staff members, lingers between each court, pretending to do whatever it is she does here, when really, she’s keeping her options for entertainment open. I would know. I’ve been her entertainment a time or two before.

I kinda regret sleeping with her when I first joined here. I’m usually really good at not hooking up with someone I’ll see on the regular. It’s why I’ve never slept with any of the bartenders at Gage’s bar, The Wayside, or anyone who works for me. That’s just asking for trouble in my opinion, and I’m not interested in drama. Gets in the way of fun.

“For sure.” I hold a closed fist up for Tristan to bump as we keep making our way out.

I can feel Emilia’s attention on me. The closer we get, the more my skin prickles, and not in a good way. Jesus, maybe I just need to fuck someone and get it over with. It almost feels like anxiety any time a woman gets too close these days. What’s up with that?

“Hey, Mason,” Emilia says, eye-fucking me as she leans on one hip, in an effort to look tempting, I’m sure. But it does… nothing.

“Hey, Emilia.” I give her the same one-sided smirk I give all the ladies.

“Heading home?”

Tristian snorts and starts to quicken his pace beside me. “Later.”

“Wait? No!” I hiss. “Don’t leave me.”

“Ahh, I love you, but I don’t tag team.” He grins, spinning on his heel to walk backward with a smug-as-fuck wave as he abandons me.

“Ah, come on, I’ll be gentle!” I shout.

Emilia is suddenly right in front of me, her white sports bra doing nothing to hide her peaked nipples and the way her boobs are squished together, hiking her cleavage to the heavens.

“So, when are we going to stop dancing around each other, and you just ask me out?”

I would not call what we’ve been doing ‘dancing around each other’. We fucked twice—maybe three times—more than a year ago.

“Sorry, sweetheart. I don’t date.” I wink, then start to step around her. I wouldn’t normally brush a girl off so quickly, but I’m fucking tired. I just want to go home.

“Okay.” She chases after me, getting in my path, her bright pink fingernails walking up my chest. “Wanna fuck?”

I carefully remove her explorative fingers, pushing her hand back to her. “Got an early morning.” I click my tongue, faking a regretful grimace. “Maybe next time,” I call over my shoulder as I quicken my steps and hurry through the side exit to the car park.

The air is still warm as I make my way over to my Ferrari F80, the royal blue practically sparkling under the lights. When I’m finally at my car, I lean my hands over the roof, inhaling a deep breath.

I’ve always lived an easy life, and a damn lucky one. I have so much to be thankful for. My family, my health, endless opportunities thanks to the fortune the Heart name carries.

So tell me why, lately, life hasn’t felt easy. It’s felt… empty. I haven’t changed anything about my normal routine, apart from this unintentional bout of celibacy.

Fuck, I really just need to get laid.

That must be the problem. It’s the only thing different about the last few months—this troubling feeling of being unsettled.

I look back at the health club, Emilia’s offer repeating in my head. I almost do it. I take a step, but then I stop. Something anchors me in place.

My heart’s not in it. Not that it ever is. I’ve shared my body countless times, but no one’s ever had my heart. My wild, impulsive, and untroubled heart. Then again, has anyone ever wanted it?

Chapter two

“Any luck with the job hunt yet?” Liv asks as I pull apart the lemon curd beignet she just placed in front of me.

I’m so glad my brother decided to befriend a pastry chef. He wingmanned me the perfect new best friend, which is no small feat when you decide to move from a small town to the big city, especially at the ripe age of twenty-three and impending solo motherhood. Making friends is hard enough as an adult, even more so when you’re in such a transitional period of your life. It’s in those times that you appreciate the people who have your back. Before moving to Heart City, I could count them on one hand with room to spare.

“Not yet.” I sigh, licking icing sugar off my fingers. Oh, goddamn, she even mixed this with a hint of lemon zest. Best. Friend. Ever. “I’ve applied for a few different things online, so hopefully I’ll hear back from someone this week.”

“I’m sure you will,” she says, picking up one of the trays of cupcakes lined up on her bench and sliding it into the oven behind her. “Admin experience is always needed in so many fields.”