AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why is Miles Cavanaugh looking at you like you shot his childhood pet?” I whisper to Bryce.
She rolls her eyes. “Because I call him out in my articles when he plays like shit. Apparently he has a fragile ego.”
I stifle a laugh. Miles didn’t strike me as having a fragile anything back in college. Regardless, it’s clear from the sneer he’s giving Bryce that there’s no love lost between them.
When we reach the table, Brady stops and motions at the two of us behind him. “Look who I found.”
Whereas I’m uncomfortable with Brady, Chase, and Miles seeing me in this dress, I couldn’t be happier about Lee’s eyes devouring me as though he wants to whisk me away into a corner. I just wish I didn’t want him to.
It’s bad enough the hunger in his eyes sends a frisson of electricity racing through me. I want to torture him, not myself.
The guys all say hello, and Brady sits next to Bryce. Both Miles and Chase are seated on one couch, leaving only Lee and myself standing.
He steps to approach me, but I walk right by him and sit next to Miles. “How are things, Miles?”
Chase laughs and Lee shoots him a death glare.
Brady mixes Bryce and me a drink, and when the cold glass meets my palm, I take a huge swig. My buzz has completely worn off.
“Burrows?” Brady asks, because Lee is still standing, looking as if he’s contemplating squeezing in beside me rather than taking the free spot across from me.
He looks at Brady.
“You going somewhere?” Brady asks.
Lee’s eyebrows furrow for a moment. Bryce and Chase laugh as Miles shakes his head.
“No.” Lee sits on the couch opposite me, next to Brady and Bryce.
For a moment, Miles’s gaze is fixated on Brady and Bryce talking, but he strips his eyes from them and turns to me. “How are you liking your new job so far?”
I nod and lean in so he can hear me. “It’s good. It’s taken a minute to learn the team dynamics and how Dr. Carlisle and Dr. Frampton prefer things done, but I think I have a lot figured out now.”
“Carlisle’s an asshole,” Chase blurts. His arms are crossed and he’s leaning back into the couch, staring at the dance floor. I didn’t think he was listening to us.
“Maybe, but he’s the best there is. You guys are lucky to have him.” Shit. Now I know the alcohol has loosened my lips. Otherwise I would never shit talk my boss with the players.
My discomfort must show on my face because Chase sighs.
“Relax. I’m not some schoolgirl who’s gonna go tattle,” Chase says.
“Thanks.”
I quickly keep up the conversation as a distraction. Chase mostly grunts here and there to indicate he’s paying attention, but Miles and I hold a conversation about how I got from the University of Michigan to California.
About ten minutes in, Chase says, “Gotta take a piss.” He stands and walks away.
Miles looks at Chase and shakes his head. “Don’t let his attitude bother you.” Then he glances in the direction I won’t dare. “He’s staring, giving me a look that he wants to take me to the alley and beat the shit out of me.” He smiles and slides a little closer to me.
I don’t want to look, but I know Miles is right. Lee is making this entire interaction uncomfortable. Does he think I can’t feel his eyes on me? I glance at the couch across from us, and the intensity of Lee’s stare could scorch me. We’re talking in hushed tones, and over the music, there’s no way Lee can hear us.
“He’s going to blow his top soon.” Miles looks at me from the corner of his eye.
I shake my head. “You had a lot of offers. Why did you come to the Kingsmen?”
I’ve wondered when he got traded and heard a lot of teams wanted him. Did he come here because of Lee?
“Lee,” he says. “I know there’s lost love between you two, or I guess just you, but I love the fucker. And speaking of the fucker, I give us about two more minutes before he stomps over here.”
