“Yeah, I mean we don’t really care about stuff like that.”Cord frowns at me, silently asking me what is up with this guy.
I shake my head.I’ll happily talk to him about it later, but right now, I just want this game to be finished so I can leave.
“Did you need me for something?”I blink up at Cord, begging him to ignore Adam.I feel like an idiot for even inviting him.
“Oh, yeah.I finally got your birthday present.The jeweler was mortified it took so long.He said to stop by and see him this week.He got some new things in stock that he thinks you’ll like.”
Cord pulls a leather box out of his pocket and hands it over to me.I carefully lift the lid and gasp at the gorgeous bracelet sitting inside.
“Cord, this is beautiful!Thank you so much!”I wrap him in another hug.Our birthdays were almost a month ago and he was so disappointed when my gift didn’t come in time.
As soon as I release my brother, he takes the box and carefully removes the tennis bracelet and quickly secures it around my wrist.There are London blue topaz stones between the diamonds, making it look stunning.
“I love London blue topaz.Did Macy pick this out?”I tease him.
“Nah, she wanted to get you a normal tennis bracelet and I told her that’s boring and you probably have five of them.”Cord rolls his eyes.
“Jeez, how much did this cost you?”Adam takes my wrist and turns it one way and then the other.
Cord scowls at him, but Adam’s too busy staring at my bracelet to notice.
“It doesn’t matter what it costs.My sister deserves it,” Cord growls.
I open my mouth to say something, but the door to the suite opens and Mom and Dad enter.They’re laughing about something, but their smiles fall when they take in the scene in front of them.
“I have to get to work.”Cord pulls me into another hug and whispers in my ear, “This guy doesn’t deserve you.Cut him loose.”
“I'm planning on it,” I murmur.
Cord says goodbye and leaves the suite after giving Mom a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, kids,” Mom says slowly.She’s trying to figure out why there’s so much tension lingering in the air.
“Hey!”I pull my wrist away from Adam and wrap Mom in a hug.
“I think you have a story to tell me,” she whispers.“I’d love to know why Cord looks like he’s seconds away from punching this guy.”
“I’ll explain later.”
She nods her head and steps back while I move over to Dad.He wraps me in his massive arms and holds me tightly.I swear I’ll never feel more loved than I do in Dad’s arms.
“Do I need to kick his butt?”He murmurs.
“Not yet, but maybe?”
“Cici,” he growls my name.He’s always done that when he doesn’t like my answer to something.
“I won't be seeing him again.Just stay calm and count down the minutes until the game is over like I’ll be doing.”
Dad releases me from his arms, but he wraps his arm around my waist and keeps me at his side.It’s his way of showing Adam he has no claim on me.
“I'm Owen Powell, Cici’s dad.”Dad holds out a hand to Adam and when he shakes it, his grip tightens.Adam’s features pinch, but he does his best to not look weak in front of Dad.
“I’m Adam.”
“How do you know my daughter?”He quirks a brow.
“Daddy,” I whisper, wishing he’d just keep his mouth shut.I already said Adam and I won't be seeing each other after tonight so I see no reason for Dad to get to know him.
