Page 77 of Pressure Point

Stepping back, Avery lifted her gaze to meet Dash’s eyes, which by now were filled with confusion. He probably wasn’t used to women not wanting to kiss him. He certainly wasn’t used to being called another man’s name. But right now there was only one man on her mind—and it wasn’t the one whose hands were holding her.

“Padre.”

Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, Avery nodded. She took another step back, putting even more distance between her and Dash, needing to feel the cool air surround her. No, that wasn’t what she needed. She needed Liam. To feel his touch. To feel the comfort that enveloped her whenever he was near. Hell, even a simple smile from him would work.

Dash nodded in understanding, and she let out a sigh, glad that he wasn’t going to question her. She gave him a sweet smile in return, not wanting to be rude. It was his birthday party, after all. But she had more important things to think about.

Avery turned away from Dash, her eyes scanning over to where the group of Rising players was still congregated. Elliot, Chance, the women they had introduced as Haven and Delaney, along with a couple of other players who must have arrived since. But no Liam.

She rushed over to them, panic starting to rise in her. Where had he gone? He must be at the bar. She had noticed buckets of beer on the tables earlier but knew it wasn’t the kind he drank, so she figured he must have gone to get something else. Something that he wouldn’t have to choke down. He wouldn’t have left, right?

He wouldn’t have a reason to leave, would he? They’d come together, and she’d figured they’d leave together. Unless…unless he’d seen…

“Where’s Liam?” she asked, her voice trembling as she reached the group.

Chance and Elliot both swallowed hard, their faces long. That’s when she knew. Liam had seen Dash kiss her. Well, almost kiss her. Although at this point, that was splitting hairs.

Chance jerked his head toward the door, letting her know that Liam had taken off in that direction. She needed to get to him. There was a thick crowd between her and the entrance, but hopefully that would have slowed him down—and that she wouldn’t meet the same fate.

Taking off, Avery moved as fast as her little legs would move in her shoes. Stupid heels. Pushing her way past people, she didn’t even take the time to excuse herself—pleasantries could come later. She was a woman on a mission.

She reached the alcove that housed the elevator doors, skidding to a stop. Liam stood there, facing the elevator, hands in his pockets, head thrown back and eyes squeezed shut. Avery’s heart sank as she looked him up and down, his sadness radiating off of him.

I did that…

“Liam,” she said.

He jumped slightly at her voice, lowering his head, but not turning to look at her.

“Liam,” she repeated.

“What are you doing here, Avery?” His voice was tense in a way she’d never heard. Like he was purposefully keeping it level. “Why aren’t you with your new man?”

“New man?”

“Dash.”

“He’s not my—”

“I saw him kiss you,” he cut her off, his voice somehow even more tense than it had been before.

“It’s…it’s not what you think.”

“Isn’t it?” he asked, finally turning to face her. His jaw was just as stiff as his voice, his lips pushed together forming a straight line. Only his eyes gave away any emotion. They were glassy, like he was fighting back tears. “It was the whole point of tonight, wasn’t it? The whole reason behind everything we’ve been doing for the last month? So he would notice you…so he would kiss you?”

“Yes, but—”

“But nothing, Avery. It worked. You got what you wanted. No need to concern yourself with me.”

You got what you wanted… Avery’s stomach felt like it could fall to the ground right about now. That wasn’t what she wanted. How could he think that? He was the one who knew her better than anyone. Did he really think she still wanted Dash?

You thought you wanted Dash up until a few minutes ago, remember?

“And what if what I want has changed?” she asked, hoping he would see it on her face. She had no idea when it happened, but everything had changed.

“It hasn’t.”

“You don’t know that,” she told him, starting to feel defensive. How could he say that? Why wouldn’t he listen to her?