I huff. I should walk away. I should leave before this turns even nastier. “Funny, brother, I thought you learned a long time ago that actions speak a helluva lot louder than words. I don’t need your explanations. And I sure as shit don’t need to hear hers.”
A door down the hallway opens, and Penelope steps through it.
Perfect fucking timing to prove my point.
“Have a happy life, but she’s never gonna be part of mine.”
I give Penelope a look, and Decker turns to see who I’m looking at. I take my chance at escape and leave them. I have someone way more important to see.
I push through the door and see some family members sprinkled around the room. My eyes search out the only person I care about until I spot her. I don’t even give a polite nod to anyone. I just walk up to Callie, link my hand with hers, and drag her away from Leighton.
“Well, okay then. Good game, Foster,” Leighton calls behind us.
“My game sucked, and you know it, Leighton. Hayes will be out soon,” I call back.
Callie comes with me, doesn’t push back or try to fight me. Had I tried this alpha maneuver even a week ago, she would’ve literally dragged her feet and told me she’s not going anywhere. Makes me think she’s discovered something tonight, but I really hope she didn’t. She’ll want me to talk about it, and that’s the last thing I want to do.
Once we’re outside, I keep us in the shadows, walking toward our building.
“I thought we could go out to eat with Hayes and Leighton.” She’s practically speed walking to keep up with me.
“I’d really like that lesson tonight.”
“You said tomorrow.”
I tug her and press her back to a light pole, moving closer, sheltering her from the view of others. “I’d like to move it up, if it’s okay with you?”
She places her hand on my chest. I love when she does that, but sometimes I wonder if it’s her way of keeping people from getting too close. “Foster.”
It’s in the tone of her voice. Good ol’ Ang got to her already.
My eyes narrow. “You talked to her?”
“She stopped me on the stairs.” Her shoulders fall, and her eyes give her away. Those big brown eyes show all her emotion, and right now they’re filled with pity—the one emotion I fucking hate more than any others.
“Tomorrow it is then.” I leave her at the light pole and walk toward the condo myself.
“No, come on.” She catches up to me. “Don’t be like that. Let’s talk. It’s clearly bothering you.”
“There’s nothing to say.”
“Talk to me, Foster. I’m a really good listener.”
I stop and stare at her.
A group of guys walk by. “Hey, Reap, great strikeout at the end.”
“Way to end the game,” another says, and I wait for them to walk away.
I meet her gaze. “That’s not our relationship, Callie.”
She flinches but quickly masks the hurt in her eyes. “Neither was you trying to give me an orgasm. But you had no problem crossing that line last night.”
“Yeah, because my ego was hurt.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue.
“That’s not true?” The fact that it sounds like a question tells me I’m far from proving to her that some men do care.
“Just go have dinner with Leighton and Hayes. I’m going home.” I turn and walk toward the condo.
