Itakeonelastlook in the mirror at my outfit, trying to refrain from rolling my eyes at the brown cowboy boots and slinky blue top Charlotte had delivered to my apartment. According to her, “You can’t wear Yeti gear to a Jaxon Steele concert.”
Trust me, as a huge Steelie, I’m well aware of that. I just don’t happen to own anything other than Yeti gear and power suits.
I touch up my mascara one last time before determining I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Throwing on a coat—she can’t protest a Yeti coat—I head out.
“Hey,” I say, drawing up short as Beckett steps into the hall at the same time as I do. He’s wearing blue jeans and a Henley, and damn. He looks good.
I shove the sound of him coming, my name slipping from his lips, from my mind.
I can feel the light flutter of his gaze as he takes me in as well. “Hey,” he replies, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Where are you off to, all dressed up?”
His eyes are piercing as he waits for my answer, but all I can think about is whether he’s going to tell me I look beautiful again.
“I’m going with Charlotte to the Jaxon Steele concert. I thought I told you?”
We’ve hung out—watched film a few times together since the incident I can only think of as masturgate, and things are surprisingly uncomplicated. Even if we both know what we did, we don’t talk about it. And if God loves me at all, we never will.
He shakes his head, a pleased smile creeping across his face. “You didn’t mention that. Just said you were busy tonight.”
“Ah. Where are you going?” I ask. It could be a date. He sure smells like he’s going on a date. Some clean and masculine cologne floats between us, trying to convince me to make bad decisions. I can guarantee it will be a feature in my fantasies this evening.
“The Jaxon Steele concert,” Beckett replies, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Are you… You’re not… What?”
“Jameson Walker invited Callan and me, plus a few other guys he knows in town, I guess.”
I can feel confusion and amusement warring on my face. “Wow. Invited the whole Yeti Challenge team except me. Rude, Jameson.” I’m teasing, but the old hurt of never quite being a part of the team comes back in full force. It was better in college, when I was playing on the women’s team, but in high school, I was always an afterthought. The girl who changed in a closet down the hall. The one who didn’t know the inside jokes.
I shake off the thought. I moved on from that a long time ago.
My phone buzzes in my hand, Charlotte letting me know she’s here. “Well, I should…” I nod toward the elevator.
“Do you want a ride?” Beckett asks. “I was planning to drive.”
I shake my head. “No, but you should jump in with Charlotte and me. No need to navigate traffic and parking.”
“I mean, if you’re sure it’s okay?” Beckett asks.
“Definitely. You know Charlotte: more is always merrier with her.”
The elevator arrives, and I catch the hint of a scowl on Kane’s face as he walks in.
“You okay?” I ask, our arms brushing as I face the front of the elevator. Instead of letting myself sink into the warmth, I subtly shift so we aren’t touching.
“What do you mean?”
“You grimaced when you started walking.”
He crosses his arms, shooting me a quick smile. “I did? I think you’re seeing things.”
“Are you sure? You took a hard hit the other night.”
“I’m fine,” he says, not quite curt, but definitely leaving no room for further questions.
We ride in silence for a moment before I ask, “So, is Jameson a big Jaxon Steele fan or something?”
“According to Callan, Jameson’s sister-in-law dates Steele, or is friends with him. Something like that.”
