Page 25 of The Wicked Love

He doesn’t budge.

“She said you need to go, bro. I think it’s best if you listen.” Austin steps up behind me, and I wish he hadn’t.

Because any resolve Callum had left just snapped.

He laughs a full, deep laugh. “Yeah, and what areyougoing to do about that?”

Austin steps forward, and I’m starting to feel sandwiched between them. Austin’s hand grazes my lower back, and for the first time, I feel something from him.

But it’s not butterflies. It’s not a shiver of pleasure. It’s a cold shot of fear that runs down my spine.

And my stupid knight in shining armor notices. He opens his mouth to say something, but I am so fucking done with this pissing match. They can handle their own shit any other day.

But this ismyevent, and I won’t disappoint my parents. Thunderous pain brims under the surface when I think of them, but I push it down and let my anger burn.

I shove Callum hard, and he stumbles back. I know he let me. Without his consent, I couldn’t physically move him myself if I tried.

I turn to face Austin, and I point my finger at him. “First, you need to walk away and cool off. I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Turning, I dismiss him with the flick of my hair.

I feel him linger for a moment before walking off.

“And you”—I jab my finger into Callum’s chest—“follow me. Now.”

I step past him, leading the way, and I keep my mouth shut until we are out of the ballroom and in a private office nearby.

Max and Keanu follow us and stand guard at the door, there if I need them.

Callum leans against the table with a smirk on his lips, and boy, my fingers tingle to slap him silly.

My voice is calm, calculated, but with each word, my control slips, the fury slowly being released. “What is your problem? Howdareyou show up here! You’re lucky I don’t kick your whole damn team out of this hotel for that bullshit you just pulled.”

He laughs. Hefuckinglaughs.

What is it with these football players?

“The bullshit I pulled, huh? What aboutyou?” His words are slurring but it didn’t change the pain in his voice.

Callum stands up, and I’m tempted to jump on the table to get to higher ground.

“Me? What did I do?” I scoff, my voice slowly getting louder.

His eyes narrow. “What’s with Austin then? Love at first sight?”

I bite my cheek. “As a matter of fact, yes. Mad, passionate,hotlove at first sight.”

When we get into these fights, the only thing on my mind is winning. It shouldn’t be, but I know that all of our arguments have to end with us not in a good place. So I might as well try to win.

I know what I’m about to say is wrong, okay? And, yeah, yeah, toxic. Whatever.

I step closer to him, lowering my voice. “You should see what this man can do with his tongue.”

Not a single reaction. No eyebrow flinching, no blinking, not a muscle moving. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him so still.

Then, Callum leans down, his face inches from mine, whiskey on his breath. I have no idea how drunk looks so sober on him.

“You and I both know you have not and will not let that man touch you. I saw that perfectly clear when you recoiled from his touch ten minutes ago.” He leans in closer, his breath on my lips. “Lie to me again, Love.”

My breaths quicken, and heat builds under my skin. I hate him. I fucking hate him.