Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
River is the first to spot us.
His brows rise as his gaze zeroes in on the bruise beneath my eye. “What happened to you?”
Humor dances in Steele’s eyes as he turns toward me. “You get jumped in a dark alley?”
“Nah, it’s nothing,” I say, waving off the questions.
Cheyenne stills beside me. The reaction is subtle enough that no one else would notice, but I do. It’s there in the way her body tightens and her fingers flex against my sleeve. I shift my hand more firmly against her waist. It’s a small movement meant to reassure.
Oliver leans in, joining the conversation. “Funny, ‘nothing’ usually doesn’t look like a right hook.”
A passing waiter stops nearby, and I grab two drinks off the tray before handing one to Cheyenne. Her fingers brush mine as she takes it.
“Would you believe I walked into a door?” I ask.
River snorts. “Only if the door had hands.”
I take a swallow of my drink before giving them enough truth to get them off my back. “A guy caught me off guard and then took off. End of story.”
That wipes the humor off their faces.
Steele’s brows slam together. “Some guy just hit you for no reason and then ran?”
“It’s been handled,” I say easily. “It’s not a big deal.”
Cheyenne shifts beside me, as if uncomfortable with the lie.
“Handled how?” River asks, unwilling to let it go.
“I told the doorman to call the cops if he shows up again.”
Oliver studies me for a second before clapping me on the shoulder. “Next time, try ducking.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “That’s super helpful.”
Steele’s attention shifts to Cheyenne. “Are you going to introduce us to your date, McNichols?”
“Not if I can help it,” I say dryly, earning a few grins before I do exactly that. “Cheyenne, this is Steele, River, and Oliver.”
My teammates say hello before Lilah pulls Cheyenne in for a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”
Some of the tightness drains from Chey’s shoulders.
Good. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
Callie smiles. “You look incredible. Lilah was right, that dress was made for you.”
The woman isn’t wrong. The gown is enough to bring any man in this room to his knees.
I know because I’m halfway there.
Oliver whistles. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look way too good to be on this clown’s arm.”
Rina elbows him in the ribs. “Ignore him. You look stunning. Even better than when you tried it on in the store.”
Kia smiles from where she’s tucked against Laiken’s side. “It’s nice to see you again.”
I wasn’t prepared to see Cheyenne standing here with my friends and teammates, fitting in so seamlessly. The women are so welcoming, and instead of that feeling strange or forced, it feels right.
Way too right.
Cheyenne’s smile grows more genuine with each exchange, and I realize I’ve been bracing myself for her to feel out of place or find it necessary to perform the polished reality-star version of herself.
She doesn’t.
Not with them.
When she relaxes, I do too.
Laiken says nothing about my eye. He just pins me with a look over the rim of his glass. It’s one that conveys exactly what he’s thinking.
You’re in deep, motherfucker.
I ignore him. Mostly because he’s right.
Across the room, Sloane stands behind the dessert table, arranging tiny pastries. Jax loiters nearby, doing his best to look casual and failing miserably. When one of the rookies wanders over and attempts to flirt with her, Jax inserts himself into the situation until our teammate takes the hint and disappears.
That guy really has it bad. From what I’ve heard, Sloane wants absolutely nothing to do with him. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to change her mind.
“Come on,” I say to Cheyenne, my hand settling at the small of her back. “Let me introduce you to the owners of the team.”
I guide her across the ballroom toward the older couple.
“Cheyenne, this is Hugh Landry and Evelyn Kingston.”
Evelyn smiles, polished and effortless as always. Hugh, however, seems far less interested in us than in the woman standing beside him.
“We’re thrilled you could join us tonight,” Evelyn says with regal ease. “I hope you have a lovely time.”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you,” Hugh adds, though his attention shifts back to Evelyn almost immediately, as if he can’t help himself. He clears his throat. “I was wondering if you’d—”
“If you’ll both excuse me,” Evelyn cuts in smoothly, “there’s a sponsor I need to speak with.”
And just like that, she’s gone, gliding into the crowd with a practiced smile, all composure and grace. For a brief second, disappointment flickers across Hugh’s face before it’s smoothed away and he trails after her.
Before the moment can settle, Zane and Gigi appear.
Gigi smiles before giving Cheyenne an air kiss. “What a surprise to find you here. When you disappeared from LA, I figured all the speculation was right and you were off detoxing at some posh retreat.”