When we were far enough away, he covered my hand where it was holding his arm, arching a brow at me. “Trouble in paradise?”
“You and I both know damned well it’s far from paradise.”
That made Georgie stop. He pulled me to face him, concern etched between his brows. “I don’t know, actually. I’ve always suspected, but you made it seem like…”
“I know,” I said, unable to look at him. “I know. I pretended things were fine. I downplayed it.”
“Is it bad?”
My stomach knotted. “It’s not good.” I finally looked up at him again, a small smile on my lips. “But it’s ending. Tonight.”
“Tonight?” He looked at where Nathan was locked in conversation across the room now before his gaze found me again. “I don’t think he is quite on the same page as you are.”
“He will be,” I promised, and then I tapped his hand and pulled him toward the bar. “But enough for now. My little brother is in town and we’re doing a shot.”
“My choice.”
“As if! It’smybirthday.”
“Fine, but only because I’m always considerate of my seniors.”
I pinched his ribcage, leading him to the bar, where I didn’tactuallytake a shot because I wanted to keep my wits about me. I did, however, slide the bartender a twenty and ask him to pour me a water shot so I could still show up my little brother.
And when we slammed the glasses down, Georgie wincing and shaking his head as he called mean animal, I laughed.
Right as my eyes collided with Shane’s.
He was at the other end of the long bar, wrapped in a semi-circle with some of the other coaches.
His full attention was on me.
It was the first time my heart stuttered all night, and it had nothing to do with fear. It was the way he watched me. Like he’d been tracking me through the crowd. Like he knew every inch of me and was aching to touch it again. Like restraint was a physical thing binding him in place.
Like he loved me.
And I knew he did.
Butterflies sprung to life inside my stomach, making the smile that bloomed on my face impossible to fight. Shane was dressed to kill in a tailored beige suit with crisp lines that hugged his broad shoulders, the jacket sitting open just enough to hint at strength beneath it. His hair was styled with casual precision, stubble edged sharp along his jaw, his blue eyes dark with intent as they cut through the crowd and stayed fixed on me.
I felt the blush on my cheeks before my brother clocked it.
Georgie narrowed his gaze at me, then looked over his shoulder, and when he turned back to me, it was with his tongue in his cheek and a little pop of his brow.
“Oh. I see you and Shane McCabe have been reacquainted.”
I feigned innocence, tipping my champagne to my lips and taking the tiniest sip.
“Come on, I want to go say hi.”
Georgie looped my arm through his and I didn’t fight him. I’d take any excuse to get close to Shane, even if just for a moment, even if I couldn’t touch him the way I wanted to or feel his lips pressed against mine.
Shane pretended to look away, to be locked in his conversation until the moment Georgie and I approached. Then, he appropriately reacted with surprise, eyes widening at the sight of my little brother.
“Coach,” Georgie said with that bright smile of his I loved so much. He extended his hand for Shane’s. “Long time, huh?”
Shane laughed as he took Georgie’s hand and shook it firmly, only to shake his head and pull my brother in for a hug. “I’ll say. Last time I saw you, you were about this tall,” he said, holding his hand by his hip. “And very much intoThe Backyardigans.”
“Hey, that show slapped.”
