Sylvan Connor.
He’s dressed in black pants, a white T, and a leather jacket with a hood. I can see the muscles of his abs when he turns to look over his shoulder, and my heart does a backflip.
I sip more of my drink, the commotion of the bar slowly returning but with more high-pitched whispers and higher squeals of delight.
The boys, it seems, are known by sight here too. Unsurprising, since most of this crowd was at the game judging by the jerseys and team shirts I see, but for some reason, their infamy shocks me. Not because they aren’t good or attractive,but because until about two weeks or so ago, I didn’t know who they were.
But now that I do, I’m not immune to their magnetism.
Although when Sylvan straightens again, a host in high heels and a short skirt already leading them deeper into the bar, heading toward where I’m sitting with the girls, his eyes lock on mine, and I think it might be better if I were immune.
He’s expressionless, the only word that comes to mind is “cold.”
I feel it as our eyes stay locked and he comes closer with his team, following behind the hostess swaying her hips and making small talk with Ryles.
I know they lost, but no one here seems to care, it’s still early in the seasonandit was in a shootout. I guess maybe a loss is a loss, what do I know, but Sylvan Connor is staring at me like I personally cost his team the game.
“I thought there wasn’t anything between you two,” Tasia murmurs close to my ear, her straw in her mouth as she, like me, slams down her drink.
I don’t look away from him, anger replacing my confusion.What the fuck do you have to be mad about?“There isn’t.”
“Sure looks like he wants to fuck you to death,” Tasia says, and despite her blabbing nonstop about Ace and repeatedly asking me if I was okay with her hooking up with him, there’s resentment buried in her tone.
“I thought you said he was dangerous. Why do you sound so damn salty?” I can’t help the bite in my tone.
Tasia stiffens, then pulls slightly away from me. “Dangerous can be hot.” She turns to look at me as Sylvan walks past, never breaking eye contact until he has to. “For a night at least.”
I think of Jackson then, at the worst possible time.
With Tasia’s eyes on me, and Faust Darling bringing up the rear of the group of four guys, his dark gaze finding mine too, I feel uncomfortable.
Claustrophobic.
My straw hits air, drink finished, and this isn’t going to be enough to get me through. I stand, needing to breathe as Faust walks past.
“They’re going into the private room,” Tasia mutters with annoyance. “You can’t just waltz back there.”
I sit my drink on the table in front of us with a thunk as Cynthia says my name.
But my blood is pounding in my veins and I’m fucking annoyed.
I round on Tasia, staring down at the little model as she arches her brows and coyly sips her vodka.
“I’m not waltzing anywhere,” I say. “But if you don’t chill with the passive aggressive bullshit, I’ll tap dance on your fucking face.”
“Shit,”Cynthia hisses, and I hear Karter gasp, then laugh.
Tasia swallows, trying to look unaffected, but fuck her, and fuck this place.
Jackson’s body is in my head now, the lie I told to Detective Lincoln rattling around in there too, and the only people who know the truth are the two assholes back in that private room that I can’twaltzinto.
I thread my way past Tasia, not gently, my legs knocking into hers as I glare at her and she looks away.Little bitch.
I beeline my way to the narrow corridor behind the fireplace, knowing the bathrooms will most likely be there, because the private room’s location is obvious. It’s further in the back, two double doors caging everyone inside like royalty.
I roll my eyes at the thought, and when I’m away from what felt like everyone’s judging gaze on me, in the confines of thehallway, I take a breath. The scent of cleaning supplies hits my nose, but I guess it’s better than the alternative. Up ahead there’s a women’s bathroom to the left, men on the right.
But no one is coming in or out and for a second, I just press my back to the wall and breathe.
