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I kiss the side of her head and meet Maddox’s awaiting stare with an easy one. “It’s alright. Walker is the furthest thing from a cowboy, so I get it. He’s always been like that. Bigger than life with dreams to match.”
“I’d say you have big dreams too, considering your career,” Braxton says.
“Yeah, I guess I do. I’m one of the lucky people who gets to make a livin’ from what I love.”
“That’s an understatement. You’re amazing at what you do. I think we can all agree on that,” Anna adds, palming my knee.
I almost haul her onto my thighs then and there. “It’s been nice to have a break, though. Been a long time since I was at home to help out.”
The couple across from us nods, a shared look of sympathy there and gone in a flash, making way for understanding.
“I get you. Nothing compares to the feeling of being gone for a long stretch and getting to come home,” Maddox says, gazing at his wife with a lovesick expression that has me saying fuck it and tugging Anna right into my lap.
She doesn’t fight me, just relaxes into the motions and slips onto my thighs, leaning against my chest like there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. I rest my chin on her shoulder and appreciate the lack of gawking her family does at our new position. Braxton looks away from her husband and at me, smiling softly, the lightest tip of her chin making my throat swell.
“How long are you home for, Brody?” she asks carefully.
Not long enough.“A few more weeks.”
“And then?”
“And then we’ll see,” Anna cuts in, stiffening enough for me to notice.
I press my lips to her shoulder, over the thin strap of her dress and the delicate skin beneath, before tightening my arm around her stomach and pulling her further up my lap, chest to back.
The sound of a clearing throat from behind me has me shifting, glancing over my shoulder. Rita stands a couple of feet back, arms crossed and one long finger tapping at the watch on her wrist.
“The crowd awaits,” Anna breathes, spinning in my arms to face me.
The encouraging glint in her eyes hits me right in the gut. I don’t know if I deserve her. Too bad I’m gonna take her anyway.
“Not yet. Not until I’ve danced with you first.”
Her eyes widen, as if she can’t believe I’d fight to do this with her, and it’s enough to have me ready to drive my fist through her ex’s face. That stupid asshole did a real number on her if she truly believes it’s surprising that I’d want to spend more time with her.
“Really?” she murmurs.
I bury my anger for the moment and nod, trailing my fingers along the curve of her jaw and chin. “I’ll be right back, and thenyou’re gonna do me the honour of joinin’ me on the dance floor. I’m not missin’ this chance for the world.”
Her lashes flutter, hiding those pretty brown eyes from me as she presses into my touch. “Alright. I’ll be here.”
Reluctantly, I drop my hand in my lap before Anna settles back in her own chair, leaving my body jarringly cold in her absence. Another cough behind us, and I’m out of my chair, flashing an apologetic smile at Maddox and Braxton.
“I’ll be back. Excuse me.”
They both nod and jump back into conversation with Anna as I turn and head to my manager. Rita stalks away from the tables of guests beginning to get up and move to the dance floor, waiting for me against one of the walls behind the impressive donut tower display. I’m grateful for the volume of the music playing around us when she pins me in place with a hard glare.
“You needed to be ready to go up onstage ten minutes ago. Instead, I find you PDA’ing it up with that woman. Do you have any idea how many photos have already been posted of you here tonight? You’re at a wedding for one of the best-playing NHL players in the world! This isn’t an empty karaoke bar where you’ve decided to get your kicks off after a few lonely nights!”
Her anger was expected. The digs were too. But the photos . . . I should have expected those. When Rita nods sharply, as if reading my mind, I realize that maybe my wince wasn’t as well hidden as I hoped it was.
“Does she know that she’s about to end up in photos with you tonight? That they’re going to be spread all over social media by tomorrow?”
Looking back at the table, I fight back a smile at the furious movement of Anna’s hands as she speaks animatedly to her sister. Her eyes are alive; it’s obvious even from back here. I already miss her.Fuck me.
I grit my jaw when I dive back into this conversation. “My personal life isn’t your business, Rita. She knows who I am and what comes with that. And as far as needin’ to sing, I still have time before I’m up. I’m damn well gonna spend it dancin’ with my date.”
“Your date? Brody, I’m going to seriously encourage you against that. The photos of you two at the table can be easy enough to brush aside, but dancing with her out there won’t be. This is going to be a PR nightmare.” She’s already texting on her phone before the final word lands.
