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Had he caught our clinch in the hall? Or only Ty rabbiting away from me?

Neither cast me in the best light, and fear of discovery washed through me. I wasn’t ready to share my conflicted feelings for Ty.

“I just saw Ty come this way. He looked flustered. What’d you say? I know you. Trash talk is your middle name. Don’t give the guy too hard a time. He’s a friend, you know.”

Right.

Ty and Jimmy were friends.

I shook myself, forcing an answer through my tight throat and a smile to my face that felt plastic. “I had to rattle him some.”

“Right. Couldn’t let him escape without a little of that Andi charm.”

I shoved at his shoulder, silently punishing him for his sarcasm.

Of the two of us, Jimmy was the one blessed with an overabundance of charm. It was part of the reason I’d been obnoxiously protective, pre-Melena. Jimmy attracted women like kids drawn to candy. He was just too sweet. Annoyingly so.

Focusing on Jimmy’s shortcomings helped me move past the desire still clogging my throat.

“Come on, I don’t want Trivia Pete to dock me for not being ready on time.”

We wound back through the tables, and I took a sip of my drink for courage before stepping to the front of the room with Pete.

As predicted, Ty took the lead for his team, and I struggled to look past the soft lips that had devoured mine a few short minutes ago. So much for friendship.

Dammit.

We wanted our name on that plaque.

I couldn’t let him win. I clenched my hands, forcing my gaze beyond his beckoning mouth, to the dark eyes above. He’d tugged his hat down low, maybe to hide the expression in them. Triumph? Pity? Desire?

I told myself it was fear.

Chapter 6 – Ty

I stood with my hips canted away from Andi, hoping she wouldn’t notice the bulge below my waist. Hoping the whole fucking crowd wouldn’t notice my hard-on for her.

Instead, I thought about the procedure to help a burn victim and recited the first aid steps over and over but it did precious little to cool my erection.

Inconvenient as fuck.

Practically her brand. I’d had good intentions in the hall. Sportsmanlike goals to keep things civil and friendly. They’d gone up in flames thanks to her kiss.

It was one of the things I admired about Andi. She went for it. No half measures. No fear.

Remembering Jimmy’s appearance helped cool the blood rushing at thoughts of our kiss.

Anyone could have walked by. And anyone did. The one man who’d specifically asked me not to pursue his sister. I bit back my groan, trying to focus on Pete’s instructions.

“Any questions before we get started?” the older man asked, glancing between Andi and me.

I’d missed the rules entirely. But did I dare admit it?

“Three questions, we can bet points each one, the one with the most points wins?”

Andi’s recap was a lifesaver, but she scowled when I sent her a grateful smile.

Her earlier accusation rang in my ears. She believed I’d seduced her to rattle her. But I was the one struggling to focus.