He continues anyway. “That you’re sulking because Rina didn’t have the winning bid, and now you’re stuck spending time with the hot blonde.”
My jaw tightens until my teeth grind. “You think you’re so fucking smart, huh?”
He pops a brow. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
River glances up from his set. “Is there something wrong with the blonde?”
“She’s a little stalkerish.” I grab my water bottle, the plastic flexing under my grip. “Going out with her will only make matters worse.”
Knox smirks. “Must be hard being the Big O.”
From the squat rack, Jax calls, “You sure it’s not about Rina? You stare at her like she’s a juicy burger and you haven’t eaten red meat in months.”
For a guy who likes to play dumb, he’s dangerously observant.
Steele rolls his eyes. “You’re cracked in the head. Those two can’t stand each other.”
“Sure they can’t,” Jax singsongs as he flashes me a knowing look.
My fingers curl even tighter around the bottle. One more word out of this guy and I’m going to rearrange his smug grin. As tempting as it is to go off on him, I swallow down the urge and check my phone when it buzzes from my pocket. For a split second, hope flares that it’s Rina.
Instead, there are three new texts from Gabby.
In addition to the slew of others.
Without responding, I shove the phone back into my pocket.
Laiken, quiet until now, glances at me. “Call me crazy, but I think Jax might be onto something.”
“Fine,” I bite out. “You’re crazy.”
Before he can answer, Coach sticks his head through the door. “Van Doren. Ms. K wants you in her office.” When I don’t move, he says, “Now.”
Perfect. That’s exactly what this day was missing.
An ass reaming.
I towel off and head upstairs, each step tightening the coil in my gut. By the time I reach Evelyn Kingston’s office, I’m a fuse ready to blow.
Light spills through the slightly ajar door, and I give it a cursory knock before pushing it open the rest of the way. I find Hugh Landry leaning over her desk, his frame taut. Even though Evelyn’s posture screams composure, the pen clutched in her fingers tells a different story.
As soon as she notices me, she smooths her expression and straightens. “Oliver,” she says evenly. “Come in. Hugh was just leaving.”
The other team owner raises a brow. “Was I?”
“Yes, you were,” she replies sweetly. “You said something about a meeting.”
He pins her in place with his gaze for several seconds before turning on his heel and walking away. The door shuts behind him, and the tension filling the space evaporates.
I drop into the leather chair opposite her desk. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. I’m checking in with all the players regarding their auction dates.” She folds her hands neatly on a stack of papers. “And I believe yours is tomorrow.”
The reminder hits like a punch to the ribs. “I’ve got everything handled. We’ll start out at Navy Pier, then it’s off to the Art Institute for a private tour before stopping at Gold Coast Table for dinner. The champagne is already on ice.”
Her brows lift, approval flashing in her green eyes. “Very impressive.”
“Thanks.” Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “I actually planned it with someone else in mind.”
