Page 14 of The False Start (Off the Bench)

Lila’s eyes flit to me briefly and that seems to be all the confirmation he needs. His face hardens, but he seems to notice they’ve garnered the attention of the table.

“We’ll talk about this later.”

She nods, looking back down at her now full glass of champagne and OJ.

I open my mouth to diffuse the tension but promptly close it when I have absolutely nothing to say. We sit in silence for a few minutes, the tension on the other end of the table palpable.

“Are you going to the Morgan charity event next weekend?” Theo asks. I look at him perplexed. Why wouldn’t I be going? Our families have been linked for years, if I didn’t go my mother would flay me alive.

“Of course.”

“You bringing anyone?” He takes a swig of his mimosa as I gape at him. This is definitely not the time for this conversation.

I shrug.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Dennis asks abruptly.

I shrug again, and Theo coughs. I don’t owe him anything, and my private life is private. He doesn’t need to know that I spent this morning in a wet dream with his girlfriend.

“How’s work Lila?” I ask, “That guy still giving you trouble? The one you beat in fantasy?”

She snorts. “He’s really turned over a new leaf since I killed him that week.

One of Colton’s other clients is able to cover the supply gap with the explosion in the gulf, and since they both work with our team, it’s relatively easy to get the contract approved.

” A sparkle I haven’t seen since that first night appears as she’s talking, and I’ll be damned if watching her passion about her work doesn’t do it for me.

“We’re going down to Houston to meet with their M&A team to walk through it before bringing it back to my client. ”

“That’s great,” Katie coos, cheers-ing Lila with her nearly drained glass.

“You’re going to Houston?” Dennis demands.

“Yes, later this week.”

“When were you going to tell me?”

“I thought I already had,” Lila defends herself. “Besides it’s just a work trip. You take them all the time.”

“You’re going with Colton?”

“He’s insisting on coming since it’s his client in the first place.” She shrugs. “Can’t say I blame him. I’d feel the same way if it was reversed.”

His retort is cut off by the arrival of our food, and for a few blissful minutes, everyone seems content.

Obviously, it couldn’t last.

“So, let me get this straight,” Dennis says, setting his napkin onto his now empty plate, “you’re going to Houston alone with this guy I thought you couldn’t stand, and you neglected to mention it even once?”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t respond, remaining focused on her avocado toast.

“For how long?”

“I don’t know Dennis. Probably a few days?”

“So, it’s an overnight.”

“Jesus, what the fuck is your problem? It’s just a client trip.” The table falls silent as she snaps.

“A client trip involving travel and a hotel with one other male coworker.” His eyes narrow on her.

“Can we not do this right now?” she pleads, shooting a pointed look at the rest of us trying to appear interested in our meals.

I can barely focus on getting my fork to my mouth though, so it might not be as much acting as I want to believe.

I can’t believe he’s talking to her like that, and in public.

I shovel the rest of my potatoes down my throat at record speed, needing to get some space from the situation as I my temper rises, my mind playing his words over and over.

The crestfallen look on Lila’s face pushes me over the edge, and I throw my napkin on the table.

Pushing up from the booth, I stalk toward the restroom at the back of the restaurant.

I’m staring at myself in the mirror over the sink for several moments before the door pushes open behind me.

“You good, buddy?”

My jaw clenches. “I’m not your buddy.” I turn to face Dennis.

He smirks. “Well, that’s clear.”

“What do you want?” I bite out.

“Stay away from Lila.”

“Or what?” I let out a laugh, closing the distance between us.

“She’s mine.”

“I thought you broke up?” I sneer at him.

He just snorts.

I blink at him. “She’s her own person, you insolent prick. And if you’re too bloody blind to see that, you’ll lose her sooner than you think.”

“So, that’s your game, tell her she deserves so much better, and she’ll turn to you when I’m done with her?”

I grimace. “If she could hear how you’re talking about her now, she’d be done already.”

“Oh yeah?” he snarls, leaning toward me.

I shrug, sliding a cold mask over myself. This isn’t the place to do this. If he wants me to kick his ass, I need a witness that he started it. I push past him. “She does deserve better, and if she needs help realizing it, I’d be happy to oblige.”

He grabs my arm.

“Take your hand off me,” I snarl, using every inch of my height to my advantage and leveling him with the look that causes most defensive linemen to clam up. He lets go, and I push open the swinging door with enough force that it slams into the wall with a crash.

I pull my wallet from my pocket on the way back to the table and drop a few twenties in front of my plate. “Your boyfriend is a real tosser.”

Lila flinches as Theo lets out a low whistle at my accent coming through.

“Are you okay?” she asks, quietly.

I snort. “Yeah, fine.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing.” I look pointedly at Theo. “But I’m leaving.”

“Cal, wait—” Lila’s voice cuts through the current of emotion inside me.

“No, I can’t right now. I’m sorry.” She grabs my wrist, her touch so different than her asshole of a boyfriend—or not boyfriend, whatever he is right now.

“Cal, I’m sorry.”

My eyes soften as I take in her soft expression, and I want nothing more than to take her in my arms.

“I can’t.” I shake my head and pull my wrist from her grasp. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” I toss over my shoulder, not even knowing who I’m really saying it toward at this point, and head for the door.