We’re hanging back at the table, just the two of us. The rest of the team has dispersed—chatting up fans, trying their chance at picking up, a couple have settled at the bar. East and Paulie are playing darts, and Frankie…I have no idea where Frankie went. Probably managed to find a straight guy who isn’t so straight and snuck him down the hall. He has this uncanny knack for finding closeted guys, I swear.
I blow out a sigh and take a break from torturing myself. I turn to Maddox. “This fucking sucks.”
He sends me a commiserating look. Fuck. He does get it, too. He had to watch Easton with Shelby for nearly a year. How the hell did he do that without completely falling apart? Though considering I heard he pretty much ghosted Easton, I suppose he did fall apart. There’s nothing that hurts like love.
“So are you two officially done then?”
My shoulders sink. “We haven’t discussed it. But, I mean, what would you call this?”
Maddox tosses his head from side to side. “I’d call this aRoss and Rachel on a breakfiasco in the making.”
I snort. “Fiasco in the making? We are already deep in the eye of the fiasco, Madz.”
“You going to be okay if he hooks up tonight?” Maddox asks quietly.
No. I shrug because my throat’s not cooperating right now.
“I know he’s struggling right now. Honestly, he’s had me really nervous. And I get what he’s doing flirting with that woman. But it’ll still be real fucking shitty if he does that when you two haven’t talked.”
“Everything about this is real fucking shitty,” I mutter. “We haven’t spoken in days except when necessary on the field. He can’t even look at me. What am I supposed to think other than we’re done? I suppose if that happened, it’d just be confirmation.” My gaze slides back over to Shane.
Except he’s not there.
And neither is the pretty brunette.
My heart bottoms.
I barely notice my surroundings, the blur of bodies. Voices and laughter blend into a haze as I stare numbly at the shadowed hallway. I faintly register Dev’s broad form disappearing down it. The hallway Shane took that woman down. My throat tightens, and I rub it, but there’s no removing the garrote wrapped around it. I guess that’s that.
“Maybe he’s just going to the bathroom?” Maddox’s tone shows just how much he believes that.
“Yes, and I’m sure he asked her to go with him to hold his dick.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, man.”
I shake my head?—
A belligerent outburst echoes from down the hall, quickly followed by a shout.
I’m out of my chair immediately, weaving through patrons toward the hall, Maddox right behind me. Paulie’s already disappeared down it, East hot on his heels. More yelling and cursing drift back to us. I run down the hall toward the voices, slide around the corner, and stumble to a stop.
“Calm the fuck down, Dev.Stop.” Olander’s out of breath, straining to hold Devereux back.
Easton’s got a hand on Dev’s chest, teeth bared. And behind him…behind him, Paulie’s hovering over Frankie’s still form. Too still.
“What the fuck happened?” I ask.
“DevereuxassaultedFrankie,” Easton spits out.
“Becauseheassaulted Olander,” Dev shouts. “That sick bastard is always perving on all of us. And the first chance he gets, he takes advantage of your intoxicated teammates.”
“Let’s just go, Dev. Before you get yourself into more trouble.” Olander finally manages to pull Dev away, with East following them until they’ve left down the hall.
Maddox is kneeling with Paulie now. “Is he out cold?”
“Shit, shit,shit.” Paulie’s voice shakes, his hands hovering over his brother.
A deep groan comes from Frankie, and he shifts.
