Page 2

CHAPTER 2

A BEAUTIFUL MENACE

XANDER

July

Isabella turns her head to look up at Miller. “Jake, maybe we can?—”

“Baby, not now.” He dismisses her and brings his gaze back to me.

In college, he always bragged about how beautiful his ex-girlfriend was. I figured he’d pay her more attention now that he has her back.

“Remember sophomore year, when Coach made the whole team run after he caught us drinking?”

I nod, my neck stiff. “It’s hard to forget. I thought I was going to puke my guts out on the field.”

“Some of the guys did. It was fucking gross.” Miller scrunches his nose and looks away, seemingly lost in his memories.

I clench my hand in my pocket and consider making a run for it. I’d rather talk to anyone else at this party.

Isabella is still standing between Miller and me, her back pressed to his chest. Her expression is blank as she stares off into the distance. She’d been silent for a solid ten minutes when she finally spoke, but when Miller didn’t even let her finish, her features turned vacant again. It makes me wonder if she’s even paying attention to what’s happening around her.

She’s even more stunning than I expected. In college, Miller always went on about how gorgeous she was, but words don’t really do her justice. Her body is flawless. Her little black dress fits her like a glove and emphasizes her round tits and toned legs. Her long brown hair cascades over her shoulders in soft waves. And her eyes? Dark blue, like sapphires, and framed by long black lashes. They’re gemstones that hide all kinds of secrets, like the deepest waters of the ocean.

He doesn’t deserve a girl like her.

I tighten my hold on my glass and shift my focus to the people around me as the smile I’ve been working to maintain slips off. I’m thrilled to be playing for my hometown team, to be close to my parents again. On top of that, it’s great for my career. The Warriors are one of the strongest teams in the league. Signing with them has opened doors for so many possibilities, for so many milestones and achievements I’ve yet to hit.

It’s all good, with the exception of the person standing in front of me.

Despite all the reasons I should’ve immediately jumped at the chance to sign with the Warriors, I hesitated, and Jake Miller is the reason why.

I’ve spent twenty minutes with him tonight, and I’m already on edge. If the asshole could shut up about our past, being around him might be bearable. But he’s been on it since the moment his girl joined us.

I need to collect myself before I do something stupid.

“Hey, man. Coach wanted me to find him,” I say, cutting Miller off midsentence.

“Sure. I’ll be over there”—he jabs his thumb over his shoulder—“if you want to come join us later. I’ll introduce you to the guys.”

With a nod, I wander off, mulling over his choice of words. I’ll be over there , not we . It only reaffirms my impression: His girlfriend is nothing more than a prop to him.

I sneak a glance over my shoulder, to where Miller and Isabella settle in at a table. She has a faraway look on her face as she trails her finger around the rim of her glass. The other women at the table don’t pay her any attention, totally immersed in their own conversation. They even have their backs turned to her, keeping their distance in every sense. Jake is talking to a couple of our teammates, his hand draped over the back of Isabella’s chair, a reminder to everyone that she’s his.

Clenching my jaw, I move farther into the room, searching for Coach. Not because he wanted to talk to me, but because I needed a break from Miller.

“Hey, Coach,” I say as I step in front of Ezra Wilson. He played for the Warriors, a Hall-of-Famer tight end, and he’s the best coach the team has had in years. His leadership and the bonds he creates with his players are unmatched. “How have you been?”

A lopsided grin splits his lips. “Pretty good.” We shake hands, his grip strong and firm. “I just talked to our general manager. We have big plans for this season. You think you’re up for the challenge?”

“Always, sir.”

“Good to know.” Coach nods, his deep brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “I saw you talking to Miller. Feel good to be playing with a college buddy again?”

College buddy? I fucking hate him.

But I keep that to myself. Instead, I say, “Yeah, it’s like the good old days.” I’ve gotta keep the lie going, because playing for the Warriors is important to me. I swallowed my feelings and played nice with Miller in college. I can do it again.

“I think you’ll be a good fit.”

“I’ll do my best.”

A ruckus behind me makes me look over my shoulder. Jake is laughing about something, his head thrown back. The room’s decor tints his face red and white, and I’m instantly thrown back to a different room, one full of the same colors.

I blink, my hand involuntarily tightening around my glass.

There ’ s blood—so much blood. The glossy white tiles enhance the vibrant scarlet hue. A metallic smell hits my nose, and a wave of nausea crashes into me. It can’t be… Please, fuck, no… Please ? —

“Xander?”

With a harsh inhale, I force myself out of the memory. This is not the fucking time or place for that.

“Sorry, Coach, what did you say?”

Coach studies my face before he nods and gives me a knowing smirk. “Go have fun. Once training camp starts, I expect everyone to be on their best behavior, so take advantage of the opportunity to let loose. Get to know your new teammates, make friends.”

“Thanks.” I take a step back, realizing my fingers are still trembling. “Have a great night.”

“You too.”

I turn, desperate for fresh air but knowing I have to play the game. This is your job, Xander. Focus on it . So I force a smile, banish the disturbing images that haunt me, and center my attention on the people who matter.

I can do that.

* * *

“Where did you disappear to?”

I jump at the voice and spin around. When I see who it belongs to, I grit my teeth.

Miller tips his head, signaling over his shoulder. “Ready to go?”

“Sorry, man. I had some catching up to do.” I look from him to Isabella, who stands beside him, her fingers locked in his. “Did you change your mind?”

Her beautiful blue eyes widen, and her puffy lips part. “What? Oh, no, no. I’m tired anyway. I better go home.”

“Nothing is better for a restful night’s sleep than our bed, right?” Jake suggestively arches an eyebrow as he drapes his arm over her shoulders and pulls her to his side.

“Right.” Isabella’s cheeks redden, and she clutches her purse to her stomach.

Her gaze flickers to mine, and a thrill rushes down my spine. What the fuck? Something about her draws me in, and it’s not just her beauty.

“I’ll walk Isabella out, and then we can go,” Jake tells me.

I lick my lips. “Do you mind if I come with you? A few minutes outside will do me good.”

“Sure.” With a shrug, he starts for the exit.

As I follow, I keep my eyes trained on her. His head is bent, his lips at her ear. My body temperature ratchets up at the sight of him touching her, and not in a good way. I slip a finger beneath my collar and pull on it slightly. My neck is stiff, just like my muscles.

When I taunted her about the way she looked at me, it was to see how Jake would react. His dismissal was exactly what I expected. Her reaction, on the other hand? Priceless. She can stand up for herself, be hostile. A beautiful menace. Yet here she is, allowing him to control her.

Once outside, I lean against the wall, hands in my pockets, and watch him help her into a waiting car. This is not the Jake Miller I know. I’m not buying into this caring boyfriend act. No. He has just mastered the skill of playing the role.

Did I make the right choice, coming here? Do I have it in me to forget what happened? To finally let go of our past?

I don’t know.

* * *

The air inside the club is stifling. Already, my shirt clings to my chest. I undo another button and then down my whiskey in one go. At the prickle of awareness over my skin, I look up and lock eyes with a blonde. She has her hair pulled up in a high ponytail, her shimmering gold dress exposing her deep cleavage. She smiles at me, and I smile back.

I’m not leaving this place alone. I need a distraction.

A booming laugh to my right makes me wince. Jake and some of our teammates are lost in conversation, a few girls squeezed between them—though the petite redhead isn’t so much between as she is plastered to his front, her ass on his lap. My annoyance flares hot. It’s not my business, and this is as far as it has gone, at least that I’m aware of. Still…is this why he sent Isabella home?

Fuck, that woman is messing with my head.

I rise to my feet and make my way to the VIP bathroom. Inside, I lock the door and stare at my reflection. My hair is tousled on top, damp with sweat. Angling over the sink, I splash icy water on my face and let it slide down my cheeks. The relief is minimal, but it’s immediate, so I do it again.

I live with guilt, carry it with me wherever I go. Not even therapy helped me deal with it. The past still tortures me, while Miller looks like he’s been living his best life. Nothing bothers him, and now he has his girl back, the one he never forgot, even when he was fucking his way through college.

Asshole .

My body tenses, my jaw rigid and my muscles quivering. The anger inside me bubbles up. Fuck, what I’d give to make the world see the real Jake Miller.

I’d do anything.

I’d do…

An idea flashes in my mind, and the details fall together quickly. Lips curving up, I grip either side of the sink and reassess my reflection.

This is it. What I need to move on, to escape my past. Why didn’t I think of it sooner?

I don’t need to tolerate Miller. What I need is to make him pay, to expose him for who he really is.

My chest expands, and I feel lighter than I have in years.

Oh, I know what I’m going to do.

And Isabella is going to help.