Page 70 of Verdict

I threw her a wink, sending her storming off into the crowd toward the bar.

Did I want Kate?

No.

Was I being a jealous asshole?

Probably.

So naturally, I wanted Ava watching.

Chapter 20

Ava

Cohen could fuck all the way off.

I beelined for the bar. I needed a drink. A strong one after watching that girl practically dry hump him on the couch like she’d been waiting all season for her turn. I was done.

Who even does that?

“Cohen always wants to hook up after a big win. I think it's the adrenaline, ” Blondie had smirked to her friend at the game earlier, loud enough for half the section to hear.

“He’s going to be excited to see you,” her friend squealed.

Excited to see her? Has he been talking to her?

When Hudson had texted asking if I wanted to join him at a club after the game, the answer came easily. Especially after sitting two rows over from one of Cohen’s old flavors of the week. I wasn’t even sure how Hudson had gotten my number, but he was hot, single, and clearly interested.

Plus, I needed a distraction.

I leaned over the bar, tapping my fingers impatiently against the sticky wood. The place was slammed. Bodies pressed tight, the music pulsing through the floor.

Two large hands landed on either side of me, caging me in.

Déjà fucking vu.

Only this time, it wasn’t Cohen.

It was Hudson.

Tall. Broad. Sandy blonde hair. Whiskey-colored eyes. A lazy grin that knew exactly what it was doing.

“I was wondering where you ran off to,” he said, voice low near my ear.

I spun around. “I needed a drink." I smiled up at him sweetly.

“That’s my job.” He flagged down the bartender with ease — the perks of being the newest golden boy on the roster — and ordered for us.

A few shots later, warmth spread through my veins. My edges softened, my restraint thinned… just enough to pretend Cohen’s presence didn’t matter. I grabbed Hudson’s hand and dragged him onto the dance floor. His hands settled on my hips without hesitation. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting the music move us. He pulled me closer, and I let my body melt into his.

He dropped his head. “You’re beautiful, Ava,” he murmured against my ear.

I looked over his shoulder, and sure enough, Cohen was watching.

Blondie was still straddling him, her fingers tangled in his hair. There was this unsettling familiarity between them, like they’d done this many times before. Or maybe they never stopped.

My stomach sank. Something sharp and ugly twisted inside me.