Page 4 of Defensive Zone (Chicago Thunder #3)

Chapter Three

Carter

Our time in Hawaii is coming to an end, and I’m not quite ready to go back to reality. These past two weeks have been a dream. There’s just something about being here that I find so…peaceful. I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned buying a house here when we retire. We try and visit different places each summer, but somehow, we always end up coming here. I guess in a way, in my mind at least, it’s ours.

I never want to leave, but reality always comes calling.

Just not tonight, as we’re going for dinner at one of our favorite steak restaurants and then going to a beachfront bar for drinks.

I adjust my watch as I wait for Zach by the front door. The location of this villa is perfect, as we’re close enough to walk to the shops, bars and restaurants but far enough away that we’re not in the mix of it all and we have the privacy we crave.

When Zach rounds the corner, my breath hitches slightly. Dressed in all black, the sleeves of his lightweight linen button- down are rolled up to mid-forearm, allowing his tattoos to play peekaboo. The buttons are open to the top of his abs, showing off his wide, sculpted torso, earned through dedication and hard work in the gym. His shorts fit his thick muscular thighs like a second skin, and the tattoos on his legs add a pop of color to his otherwise dark outfit.

“Damn.” I let out a low whistle and fan myself with my hand. “You looking to hook up or something?”

The second the words leave my mouth, something goes weird in my chest. And not a good weird.

Huh, what’s that about?

He laughs quietly. His long, shoulder-length dark hair falls around his face as he ducks his chin. I fucking love when he wears his hair down. I don’t know what it is about his hair that I love so much. He has this almost Viking-esque vibe with day-old stubble lining his jaw, and the whole dark ensemble he’s got going on makes his light blue eyes so striking.

My best friend is an absolute snack.

He doesn’t answer though, and I’m not sure why that bothers me. It’s kind of been an unspoken rule that we don’t hook up with others while we’re on vacation. This time is meant to be strictly ours. Two weeks of uninterrupted Carter and Zach time.

And to be honest, I don’t want to share him with anyone else. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m selfish when it comes to spending time with Zach. I want to be the sole focus of his attention, and I will fight dirty if someone tries to get in the way of that.

“Ready?” he asks.

His scent fills my nose as he leans in and picks up the keys from the side table, and I can’t help but take a deep inhale. He smells so fucking good. Like sandalwood, amber and cardamom. All rich and decadent, making him even more irresistible.

Ugh, get with it, Lockwood.

I can’t be thinking things like this. He’s my best friend.

With a smile, I nod. “As ever.”

I open the door, letting him walk through before I slap my palm against his firm ass cheek. And on the entire walk to the restaurant, I try to squash this unfamiliar feeling bubbling in my chest.

A few hours later, we’re people-watching while sipping on drinks in our favorite bar. I’m floating in that happy space where my stomach is satisfied from delicious food, and I’ve got the gentle buzz from the cold beer in my hands. The light breeze from the beach only adds to that relaxed vibe.

“She’s hot.” Zach’s voice is quiet, but loud enough I can hear him over the music pumping throughout the bar.

Subtly looking over my shoulder, I lock eyes with the brunette sitting at the bar, watching us with keen interest. Throughout dinner, I couldn’t get the idea of Zach hooking up out of my brain, and when he kept pointing out beautiful women, it only intensified. Is he trying to hint at something? Does he want me to find someone so he won’t feel guilty about sneaking off with someone himself?

When I turn back to face him, I’m unable to read the expression on his face. He brings his beer to his lips, takes a swig, then watches me with a thoughtful look.

I wish I could read his mind right now.

“You should get her number,” he suggests.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” I blurt out, letting those intrusive thoughts win.

He lets out a choked sound, then covers it with a small laugh. “No, but she’s eating you up with her eyes. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you wanted to go there.”

My cock would love to go there, because, let’s face it, she’s hot as hell. But my head and my heart want to just chill with him, as we haven’t got long left.

Plus, I can use my hand for a bit longer. My cock will understand.

But I don’t have time to argue the point because movement in my peripheral catches my attention, and the brunette hottie from the bar sidles up next to me.

“Hey,” she says with a smile. Holding a glass of white wine in her hand, she motions to the seat next to me. “Is this seat taken?”

Mentally shaking myself, I flash my most charming smile. “No, it’s all yours.”

She introduces herself as Raegan, and in a weird happenstance, she’s from Denver. The three of us chat about our time on the island, and life back home. Although I plan on shutting down any advances, something settles in me when she engages with Zach, showing him equal interest. She isn’t flirting with him as she is with me, but I appreciate her making an effort with him. Women I’ve dated often ignore the fact that we come as a package deal.

Because while not in the traditional sense, he’s my other half, and I would rather be single than date someone who doesn’t respect that.

“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Zach announces, scraping his chair back as he stands.

I look up at him, trying to find a glimpse of how he’s feeling on his face, but just like earlier, those blue eyes are unreadable.

My gaze follows him to the bar, noting how the other patrons watch him as he goes. He’s captivating, that’s for sure, with his six-foot-six frame and muscular physique. His dominating presence draws you in, but it’s his gentle calmness that hooks you.

Your friendship is unnatural.

Those were the words my last ex-girlfriend spat at me when we broke up, and it wasn’t the first time I heard something along those lines either.

But how can you explain to someone you’re in a relationship with that your soulmate is someone else?

“So, where in Denver do you live?”

My attention is drawn back to Raegan. She’s eyeing me curiously, like I’m a puzzle she’s trying to figure out.

You might be here for a while, honey.

“I’ve lived in Cherry Hills Village since I moved to Denver seven years ago.”

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, and I’m wondering if she even follows football. I only moved there because most of my teammates live there. “Wow, there’s some beautiful homes there.”

I give her a clipped nod and give myself another mental shake. I’m being rude, and that’s not like me. I may be feeling completely out of sorts tonight, but it’s not fair to take it out on this nice woman.

“So, what do you do?” I ask, picking up my beer.

She begins to tell me about her work and how she’s here for a conference, and no matter how hard I try to pay attention, her voice ends up being tuned out as my eyes latch on to a man and woman sidling up next to Zach at the bar. Neither of them is doing anything to disguise how they are eating him up with their eyes. Zach’s never hidden his bisexuality from me, and I wouldn’t want him to. But tonight, my usual complacency has been replaced with something unfamiliar. That same weird sensation that I felt earlier. An emotion I’ve never experienced before with Zach when it comes to potential sexual partners.

Jealousy.

The man places a hand high on Zach’s thigh, and my jaw actually pops from how hard I’m clenching it.

I want to go over there and swipe his hand off his leg. Bile burns my throat as the territorial feeling brews even stronger in my chest, and it’s sending me off-kilter.

Who the fuck does he think he is touching him like that? Zach is mine , goddamnit. We’re on this vacation together. To spend time together. Which I know is fucking contradictory as hell considering I’m sitting here with Raegan.

Fuck . Raegan. I completely zoned out again.

“Carter?” Her voice filters through the rage bubbling in my ears.

My head snaps to face her. There’s a crease between her perfectly shaped brows. She’s fucking stunning, and the frown on her face looks out of place.

“Where did you go? I just called your name like five times.”

“Sorry, I spaced out.”

Understatement of the century.

She gives me a pointed look, calling me out on my bullshit without having to say the words. Her eyes flick to Zach as she asks, “How close are you two?”

“He’s been my best friend since we were six years old.”

She hums but doesn’t say anything. She takes a dainty sip of her wine, and I try to take a subtle glance over my shoulder. The couple are still with Zach, flirting up a storm. Zach angled his body toward them invitingly, spreading his legs so one bare knee is next to hers where she’s sitting on the stool, and the guy is able to stand between them as well. He’s interested. Really interested. The couple couldn’t make it any more obvious that they want Zach to be the tasty filling in their bedroom sandwich, and I fucking hate that I want to go over there and ruin it all for him.

The sound of an empty glass clinking against the tabletop snaps my attention back. Raegan gives me a sad smile, collecting her purse and hooking it on her shoulder.

“I think I’m going to call it a night.”

I open my mouth to argue, but I can’t. I have nothing to say to defend my behavior. I’ve been lousy company. She seems like a really nice woman, and here I am, wanting to stomp my foot on the floor in a childish tantrum over my best friend flirting with someone—or should I say someones —else.

Scrunching up my nose slightly, I offer her what I can only hope is an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, my mind is elsewhere tonight. Maybe we could get together back in Denver? Dinner maybe? My treat.”

“Sure, that would be nice. You can make it up to me back in the city.”

We exchange numbers and promise to see each other. She leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek. “See you around, Carter.”

She waves her fingers at Zach as she passes. He waves his hand in return, then shoots me a concerned look. I shake my head, picking up my drink and downing what’s left of it before standing up. I’m not going to ruin his night. I’ll head back to the house, maybe watch a movie, and question why I’m feeling so fucking… out of sorts.

“I’m going to take off,” I tell Zach once I reach the bar, thumbing over my shoulder toward the exit.

“I’ll come with you.” Zach goes to stand without hesitation, but I place my hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down.

“No, no. You stay.” I look at the couple. Damn, they are both really hot. She’s got long blonde hair tied up in a high ponytail. Petite, great tits, and a tiny waist. He’s hot too, with classically handsome features. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d seen them both on a billboard, making some plain-as-fuck underwear look irresistible. “Enjoy your night.”

But to my surprise, Zach shakes off my hand and stands up.

“It was really nice to meet you both,” he says to the couple.

“Likewise,” she purrs, placing her small hand on his forearm and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“If you’re ever in Nashville, give us a call.” Hot Guy smiles, slipping a card into Zach’s palm. “It would be really good to hang out sometime.”

Yeah, I’ll bet.

My jaw snaps shut as I glare at where his hand lingers on Zach’s for a moment longer than necessary.

“Have a nice night.” I force a tight smile and head out of the restaurant without checking if Zach’s following. Why am I so agitated over this? The only reason he was talking to them was because I was chatting with Raegan.

Fuck, I’m such a shit friend. Cockblocking him because I’m getting a little jealous.

I don’t realize how far ahead I’ve walked until I hear Zach calling from behind as he jogs to catch up with me.

“Carter, wait up.”

I slow my steps and run a hand through my hair, letting out a shaky exhale. There’s concern etched into Zach’s features as he studies me.

“What happened back there? I thought you and Raegan were getting along well?”

I have no idea…

“Headache.” I hate how easily the lie slips out. “We agreed to see each other when we’re back in Denver.”

Zach frowns. “Are you not feeling well?”

“Eh, not so much. Maybe I had too much sun today. I probably didn’t drink enough water, and then the drinks…” I wave my hand in the air. It’s a load of bullshit, but I can’t tell him the real reason because I don’t know. I don’t know why I wanted to rip that dude’s hand off. I don’t know why I had a ball of jealousy in my stomach.

I just don’t know .

“Let’s get you back. I’ll make you a drink with some electrolytes.”

We’re silent on the walk back to the villa. Zach keeps shooting me concerned glances. I hate that I’ve ruined his night. I hate that I’ve lied to him about feeling unwell. I hate that I’m feeling like this, all jealous and territorial.

I’m confused.

Tired.

Frustrated.

This wasn’t the first time I have gotten jealous over others receiving Zach’s attention, but it’s the first time jealousy has entered the equation when it comes to sex.

And I don’t know what to do about that.