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“He did,” I mutter. “But it wasn’t that bad.”
“Sure, it wasn’t,” he says. “Is something going on with you, though?”
Did he know something about me and Alex? “What do you mean?” I ask, sounding as chipper as I can.
“I don’t know,” he says with a shrug. “You’re acting kind of weird. I look over and see you basically flirting with Theo—”
“I wasn’t flirting,” I lie. “He was just talking, and I happened to listen.”
“Sure,” Blake says again. “He looked like he was into you though. But then again, he’d be into anyone who let him spew for six hours. Alex even said—”
My chest tightens at the sound of Alex’s name. But then, another teammate comes up to Blake, and he starts to talk to him about something. I stand there, hating how impatient I am for him to finish the rest of his sentence.
The teammate stalks off a minute later, and Blake starts to walk with me again. “Just make sure you keep a wide berth between yourself and him. I don’t want him to bore you to death.”
I force another chuckle. “You were saying something about Alex.” My tone is as casual as I can make it.
“Yeah.” Blake doesn’t look suspicious. “Just that he was willing to switch seats if it meant rescuing you from Theo’s boredom.”
Right, I think, distaste rising in me for my brother’s best friend.
Seeing Alex flirt with that hostess reminds me of a version of him I haven’t thought of in a while, the one that preferred to sample women and move on after a couple of weeks. It does hurt my ego to think Alex is now moving onfrom me to the hostess, but I’ve got to accept it. I know enough about boys to understand it’s a giant red flag if they only care to come after you when they have seen you with someone else. And I’m not going to let myself be stupid enough to fall into Alex’s trap.
What I am going to do is stick with him for as long as I need to get those sultry pictures. Afterward, things are going to go back to normal between us. I’m going to make sure of it.
“Hey, Brit,” someone says, and I turn around to see Alison, another one of the therapists.
“Hi.” My demure voice is back in place. While I’m friendly with most of the therapists, I’m careful to maintain my boundaries. Most of them have taken the hint and only speak to me when they need to confirm some work-related issues.
“One of the players requested a massage back at the hotel. Says he pulled his bicep. And he specifically requested you.”
“Who is it?”
“Alex Steinman.”
CHAPTER 12
ALEX
Ifeel a sense of déjà vu as I wrap a towel around myself. But my briefs will stay on this time. We’re lodged at the Four Seasons and only days away from the most important game of the year.
But every cell in my body is aware that Brit is about to step through the door of my suite to give me a massage.
I stride across the spacious room and onto the veranda. Blake and I had sprung for one of the executive suites, even if it meant paying the difference out of pocket. I look down from the balcony at the magnificent view of a deserted beach, congratulating myself that I made the right choice.
I’ve always cherished moments of solitude before a big game, but at this particular juncture, I crave it more than ever. Blake is likely enjoying his time by the pool or at the arcade, finding ways to unwind. Meanwhile, I find myself anticipating a massage from his sister, the very same sister I’ve been concealing my true feelings for.
On cue with my thoughts, I hear a knock. I march across the living room to the door. Logic is warning me not to let her in.
I ignore it.
From the second I looked behind me on the plane and saw her blue eyes light up with fascination at Theodore, I needed to claim her for myself. I want her around me and away from that childish buffoon.
Away from any man, for that matter.
I open the door, and my chest constricts as I look down at Britney. She’s dressed in her masseuse uniform, her blonde curls tucked in a low ponytail. The déjà vu intensifies.
She’s holding a foldable table underneath her arm, and she silently pushes past me. I close the door and turn around, watching her set up the table. She doesn’t meet my gaze or say a single word.
