My head turned, revealing to him what I’d assume was a red welt at this point. It didn’t necessarily hurt, but it didn’t feel great either.
“I’m sorry he hurt you.” His eyes held mine, the conviction in them so pure.
Like it was his fault.
“It’s a risk of the game, Preston.”
“Don’t care. Shouldn’t have happened.”
“I’m fine. Won’t even leave a mark.”
The silence made itself known, the moment charged with something I could neither ignore nor name.
His strong fingers on my chin shifted, aiming my gaze back to him before those fingertips trailed over to my jaw. He slowly adjusted his placement until he cupped my face in his large palm.
“Angel…” The word was quiet, a simple word that held so much meaning.
My core reacted, along with my awareness that we were both close to crossing lines that couldn’t be uncrossed.Especially for him.
Like an invisible tether was bound to us both, we leaned in a fraction. He searched my face, and I tried to keep the silent plea a blank expression, but I feared it screamed what I really wanted.Kiss me.His tongue swiped across his bottom lip, the action so effortlessly sexy I almost closed the distance. But right as he traveled another dangerous inch, his phone rang, crashing a heap of warning over us both. The cell phone buzzed next to us on the dining table, the sound like an atomic bomb.
Livwas flashing across the screen.
He leaned back, sucking in a sharp breath. “I need to take this. It could be about Ray.”
I nodded, disappointment and relief washing over me as I quickly stood to my feet.
“Will you…” He pushed to his full height, which towered over me. “Just…give me a sec? Don’t go?” With that, he placed the phone to his ear, then slipped out onto the back patio.
What are you doing, Trinity?
I glanced down at my shoeless foot, shaking my head at what I almost allowed to happen. I knew better. This was nothing but a train wreck waiting to happen, and even though I wanted tostay,I did what I had to do. I scooped up my shoe, shoved my foot inside, then I left.
29
Preston
I stood on the sideline next to Wesley as the guys warmed up. I pretended to be focused on the walkthrough plays, critiquing the flow. I was really watching Trinity as she worked with Krew on his shoulder while he sat on the gator. It had been three days since she left without a word. Three days since she’d said as much as two words to me, and three days since I almost kissed her in my dining room. I was inches away from jeopardizing my job, my reputation, and a solid friendship. Bad thing about it was that I didn’t care.
Things got real,fast,and she had just as much at stake as I did. Her fear was warranted. But this pull was getting harder to ignore.She was everywhere.
“Are we going to talk about it?” Wesley’s voice was low, just loud enough that only I could hear him.
“Talk about what?” I questioned, crossing my arms.
“The fact that you’re playing with fire.”
I jerked my face to his. “What are you talking about?”
He shook his head. “Come on, man. I see the way you look at her.” He tilted his chin in Trinity’s direction. “And I’ve never seen you act the way you did with Gregory on Wednesday night.”
“It’s not…”
“I’ve known you since we were eight years old, Preston. Do me a favor and don’t bullshit me.”
I let my silence be my answer because what the fuck was I supposed to say?
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” he muttered as Rodney headed in our direction.
