Page 100 of Wild Card

As I sit there watching all of them talk, I can’t help but stare at Scarlett and think how fucking lucky I am. That I found someone like her, that she stood by my side through everything and patiently waited for me to get my fucking head in order.

“All right there?” Xander holds out a glass of Scotch for me as he leans up against the wall alongside me.

“Yeah. Just feeling fucking lucky.”

He grins at me, holding up his glass. “That makes two of us.”

“We don’t deserve them.”

“Yeah. That’s why we spend as long as they’ll put up with us earning it.”

“Fair enough.” I nod “Speaking of, I’m surprised there’s not a ring on her finger already.” I glance at my best friend.

“Taking her on that hike she’s always wanted to do. Going to surprise her with the trip and then propose. Hopefully, she says yes, or it’s going to be an awkward flight home.” He laughs.

“She’ll say yes.” I shake my head at the idea that he has any concern about that at all and take a sip of my drink.

“Gonna make you the last one standing.” He gives me an inquisitive look.

“Yeah. Does that surprise anyone?” I laugh, but I feel my stomach flip.

“You going to make things with her more permanent at least?”

“I want her to move into my place, but it’s pretty far from where the new museum will be.”

“Condo’s not. And I wouldn’t mind having you closer. Scarlett might say yes just to be able to be a few floors away from Harper if we’re being honest.”

“Didn’t think about that.” I tilt my head.

“Maybe you should.” He clinks his glass to mine and then throws back what’s left in it. “Gonna get us another round.”

When I look up again, I don’t see Scarlett with the rest of the girls, and I look around for her, only to see her and Joss coming down the stairs, Scarlett wearing a number nine jersey across her chest while Joss giggles uncontrollably. Scarlett looks up, clearly surveying the room to find me and when her eyes finally meet mine, she grins. Not the sweet kind or the sheepish “my friends put me up to this kind.” But the kind that’s absolutely meant as a taunt.

She stops on the steps and raises her brow at me. Joss stopping a moment later, a little tipsy on the stairs as she grabs the rail and looks between us. Joss’s eyes go wide when she sees the look on my face, and she hurries out of the way. Right before Scarlett takes off running back up the steps, and I’m chasing her up them like I’m still on the field.

FIFTY-FOUR

Scarlett

I takeoff running up the stairs and down the hall, but I’m not nearly as fast as he is and when I slip into one of the bedroom doors and try to shut it behind me, his hand stops it.

“Scarlett.” His voice is a low growl, and I feel my heart jump in my chest.

I step backward in the dark, enough light pouring through the wall of windows that look down on the dining room to see without completely losing my balance. He shuts the door behind him and locks it, setting his drink down on the sideboard.

“It was just a joke. Joss said you did it to Colt, so it was payback.” I stammer out an excuse, taking one step back for each one he takes forward.

“I did it to help Joss. And I saw the look on your face.”

“Okay well. I was just kidding.” I laugh nervously as he reaches for me, and I jump onto the bed. “I’m sorry!”

“You will be.” A devious smirk tugs at one side of his mouth.

“Tobias. Seriously. It’s a joke. It’s funny!” I crawl to the other side of the bed as he rounds it and nearly grabs me.

“Hilarious. I’m laughing on the inside. I promise.” He mirrors my movements as I try to decide which way to run next and then freeze.

“I thought you would be amused. I didn’t know it would piss you off.”