Page 139 of Forever Relentless

“Yes, QB.” She gave him a mock salute, and I gave her a warning glare that the others missed. “I’m joking,” she toned it down. “I’m grateful you guys were okay with me coming. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Not too good,” Dust murmured, and she giggled.

Couples — kill me now!

Savvy was waiting for us; her dress was longer than Hadley’s, but just as classy. Her hair was up and elegant-looking.

“Looking good, Savvy,” I greeted her, and she gave me a hug.

“Thank you, Mr. Handsome.” She smoothed her hands over my shoulders. “A certain social media girl will be tongue-tied.”

“What?”

But Dante was there and gave her a kiss. “You look amazing.” He pulled her close. “Your dad okay with you not being there at his side?”

“Not really, but he kept his opinion to himself.” She gave a light laugh. “Progress, right? But I will need to mingle with him, just to, you know, keep the status quo.”

“Of course,” Dante murmured, kissing the back of her hand.

The event tonight wasn’t in the same place as last time. This time, it was a large function room in the arts building.

“The arts building hosts exhibitions,” Savvy informed us as we approached.

Savvy and Hadley slipped inside before us, as we got held back in the entrance hall, and then they put Dustin and Jason on either side of Dante, and me just behind them.

The boosters and alumni gathered in the room cheered and clapped when we entered, as if we had won the championship all over again.

Which was weird. Because today’s game was for the team, not the boosters.

A dark-haired girl peeled away from two people who looked to be her parents, and she threw herself at Jason. He scooped her up, and I don’t care that they were waiting for marriage; they needed a hotel room right now.

I looked away.

And saw Briar standing beside a table, a champagne flute in her hand. She was looking right at me.

Her hair was down around her face, but it looked different. Softer, falling in waves that suited her better. She wasn’t hiding behind it tonight. You could still see her face — the pale skin, the small nose, and the wide green eyes. Lips soft and pouty, begging to be kissed.

She was wearing a strapless, corset-like top and a soft, silky black skirt that flowed down her legs.

She looked totally fuckable.

I wanted to go straight to her, but I knew I couldn’t. I followed Dante and shook hands. I laughed when he did, and I nodded when he did.

I didn’t hear a single fucking word.

Time and again, I looked for her. A glass of champagne was never far from her, but tonight, instead of her camera, she had her phone. She had a strap around her wrist that identified her as media.

I watched her ass when she had her back to us, her curves accentuated.

“You hanging in there?” Dante asked me quietly as he guided us away from an older-looking couple.

“Fuck no.”

He smiled and met my eye. “Dust said you had no game, but I doubted him. I shouldn’t have. You’re basically panting.”

“Have you seen her? Wouldn’t you?”

He faked taking a drink, and his gaze swept the room. “She’s definitely pretty.”