Muscles loosen, then instantly tense again when Ethan murmurs into the side of her hair, “Ready to go, baby?”
Baby?
Oh hell no.
My nostrils flare as I glance between them, realizing this will be the hardest thing I ever do. Getting a scholarship at a D1 college to play football? Easy. Winning the National Championship? A cakewalk. Watching Tatum fall for some asshole that isn’t me? Fucking torture.
“Actually, why don’t I come with you?” I suggest, tone light despite the heavy thud of my heart.
Tatum eyes me with a frown. “But . . . your car’s here,” she says, nodding toward the vehicle behind me.
“Chris will drive it.” I glance back at him, desperate for him to help a brother out. “Right Chris?”
“Sure thing,” he says, grinning like a pig in shit.
Tate blinks. “But why would you want to do that?”
“Because he can follow behind in case there’s another problem, and I can spend some quality time with you guys, maybe get to know Edward since we haven’t had a chance to properlychat.”
“It’s Ethan,” Ethan says.
“Right. How could I forget?” I meet his eyes with a tight smile. Just because I have to tolerate him doesn’t mean I can’t fuck with him a little. “What do you say, Tate?” I nudge her in the arm, and I can tell she’s not entirely convinced, so I really try to sell it. “It’ll be fun. Just the three of us. The two most important men in your life getting to know one another.”
Ethan narrows his eyes, clearly on to me while Tate beams. “You really wanna do that? Get to know Ethan?”
I nod, using my best poker face. “Absolutely. What’s important to you is important to me. Maybe we can even be friends.” I shrug, playing coy. Like I actually want to be friends with him, rather than rip him limb from limb.
I should feel guilty at the way she smiles up at me, so trusting and openly thrilled at the prospect of my making an effort with Ethan. But I don’t. This is for the greater good. And if I’m supposed to wait it out until Tatum realizes I’m the one for her instead of this Ken doll wannabe, then I need to get to know the guy, even if it kills me.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, and all that.
“Unless, of course, you have a problem with that, Ethan,” I say, a smirk curving the corners of my lips.
I stare over at him, catching the flicker of irritation that passes over his face before he schools it back into neutral. “Why would I?” He tightens his arm around Tatum and my eye twitches. “You’re the one who’ll be the third wheel.”
Not for long, asshole.
“Great,” I say, my tone bright, even as I imagine all the ways I can mutilate him with my car keys.
“This is amazing! I can’t wait for you guys to talk,” Tate says, clapping her hands together, unable to contain her happiness. “I know you’re going to have so much in common. Just you wait and see.”
Doubtful.
I turn to Chris and toss him my keys, which he catches easily with a wink before he mouths,Have fun,and saunters off.
Dick.
“Why don’t I drive,” I suggest as I turn back around. “That way you can just relax.”Next to me, in the passenger seat.“I’m sure you’re exhausted after being stranded for over an hour.”
“You’re sure?” Tate asks.
“Positive. I know how much you love being the passenger princess,” I say in a slightly snotty tone that conveys Ethan doesn’t know her at all.
I open the door to the driver’s side and slide in, waiting for Tatum to join me in the front as she rounds the car, but when she climbs in the back with Ethan instead, I nearly fly through the roof.
I grind my teeth as I take a deep breath. I can practically feel Ethan’s smug smile penetrating the back of my skull, so I slide my seat all the way back in one quick, sharp movement, forcing a hiss out of him as he eats his knees.
“Oops. Sorry,” I say, craning my head to glance back at him. “This car is tiny.”
