Page 7

Of course he’s here.

Even if I wasn’t aware that tonight was a tradition for the Blades or he hadn’t been texting me nonstop, I’d still know exactly where to find him.

As his teammates move aside, I take a seat next to Tyler. I can barely look at him.

When he started blowing up my phone, I was all for leaving him on Read, but Jenna suggested I come here and show him what he’d missed out on last night. And that sounded like the best idea she’d had all season because, yeah, I’m pissed.

I know he hates the dress I have on purely because other men love it, but he can fuck right off if he thinks he gets to call the shots on what I wear. He’s called enough of them during our relationship.

My eyes are still glued to the black table in front of us when Tyler’s hand reaches behind my back and palms my ass. This is his way of saying sorry since he’s never been able to say it out loud, but unfortunately for him, I’m not in the mood to accept any kind of apology right now.

“Do you, um … want a drink?”

My gaze tracks the voice and lands on Jack Thompson. Well, Jack Morgan now. I saw him the second I walked into the bar and couldn’t help but steal a quick glance his way when I was talking to Tyler.

He’s hot. I’m not single, but I do have eyes, and, holy moly, he just went and got a whole lot hotter these past twelve months. His shoulders are way broader than they were, and his eyes somehow look much bluer than I remember. He’s also let his brown hair grow out, and it flops forward, kind of like how his stepdad wears his.

Though it’s not his appearance or white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows that has my full attention.

“Wait. You’re British.” Jenna speaks first, his accent clearly making the same impression it did on me.

I was kind of pissed that Jack and Tyler didn’t get along in college because, man, oh man, could I listen to him all day.

Jack smiles in response, popping his cute dimple, but he doesn’t look at Jenna. He keeps his attention straight on me.

“I’ll get the drinks,” Tyler interjects, leaning down to kiss my bare shoulder.

I snap my eyes away from Jack and look at my boyfriend. “No. I’m good, thanks. I can buy my own drinks.” I turn to Jenna. “Wanna help?”

Tyler doesn’t argue, and I stand, pushing my way out of the booth past him and his teammates.

The second I reach the bar and set my purse on the counter, Jenna’s hand lands on top of mine.

“Okay, hold up on ordering drinks because I’m going to need a minute. That’s Jon Morgan’s son, right? You never told me he was into you.”

I drop my head forward and giggle. “Um, what? I’ve never said anything because he’s not.”

Her brows knit together in confusion. “Kend, you have got to be kidding me.”

Cautiously, I tip my head over my shoulder to see Jack joking around with Sawyer Bryce and Archer Moore.

“I think you’re going a little crazy.” I tap my pointer finger against my temple. “I’ve known Jack since the beginning of college, when he started playing with Tyler, and back then, I didn’t pick up any vibes either. Other than his hatred of my boyfriend.”

“Hmm …” Jenna responds. “Well, he had me with the British accent, and now I might be certifiably in love with him. He can obviously tell a dickhead when he sees one.”

I’d like to have the luxury of arguing with her and defending the guy I’m supposed to be head over heels for, but honestly, other than being in complete agreement with her, I don’t know what else I am right now. I definitely don’t know if I’m in love with Tyler anymore, and my stomach bottoms out at the thought.

“Talk to me, babe,” Jenna says, taking a seat at the bar. She looks down at the stool next to hers, asking me to join her. “You can barely look at the guy. This isn’t right anymore, is it?”

I blow into my cheeks and point at a random cocktail on the menu when the bartender approaches us. I’ve no idea what I selected, but if it has alcohol, then that’s all that matters right now.

“I don’t know what to say. I came to this city because this is where Tyler got drafted before college. In reality, I should probably be in London, playing in Premier League stadiums. I think that was my chance, you know? And I turned it down for a guy who …” I look over my shoulder to find Tyler with his head thrown back, laughter spilling out of him. The only person looking my way is Jack, and I offer him a small smile. “I guess he just isn’t that concerned about us. I’m tired of doing the chasing and hanging on to something that doesn’t seem worth the effort anymore.”

The bartender sets a blue cocktail down in front of me, and I sniffle, my senses tingling with sadness. “You were right abouttime. It shouldn’t matter how long you’ve been dating. It should still be exciting, but we’ve lost that, and he doesn’t want to make the effort to get it back.”

Jenna nods and sips her drink. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

“Talk to him, I guess. Tell him I’m unhappy, if he hasn’t already worked that one out.” I run a finger around the rim of my glass as it shines beneath the bar lighting.