Prologue
Sophie
Four Months Ago
I'm not nearly drunk enough to be at this party. Unfortunately, I'm also not allowed to drink enough to get to that point. Perks of being a professional ballerina. You attend a lot of parties…but you never really get to enjoy them, either.
I sigh, sticking to the edges of the room as laughter floats around me. I don't know most of the people here. This is Sidney and Austin's world, not mine. My brothers are professional football players, and their teammates and hockey friends are everywhere.
I'm the only dancer in the mix.
Sidney is lucky I love him and his fiancée, Hattie.
I could be at home right now, in my pajamas, but I'm here for them instead.
"Son of a bitch. How long do engagement parties last?" a giant to my left growls.
I laugh despite myself, turning to face him. My eyes widen when they land on his face. I recognize him instantly. Harlan Ward is one of Hattie's older brothers. He's also captain of the Knights, the professional hockey team in Los Angeles.
And like me, he looks like this is the last place he wants to be.
"Forever, apparently," I mutter to him.
He grunts, his blue eyes scanning across my face. He doesn't really make a secret of the fact that he's studying me, so I watch him, too.
He's an interesting kind of gorgeous—too big and gruff to be beautiful, but too damn beautiful to be called anything else. His dark hair is a chaotic mess, almost like he tried to tame it, then said screw it and messed it all up again. I'm not sure if the suit was made for his broad shoulders or if his shoulders were made for the suit, but he iswearingthe damn thing.
I have entire costumes designed specifically for me, and I've never looked that good in any of them. Maybe our ballet company needs to hire his tailor. Jesus.
His denim-colored eyes keep flicking back to my mouth, like he's waiting for me to say something.
I don't think "I'd like to wear you like a suit" is an acceptable option here. It's giving serial killer, not accomplished flirt.
God. I'm bad at this.
I can flirt like it's my job when I need to do it. I'm even pretty great at it when I'm flirting just because I want to see Austin or Sidney's eyes twitch. But apparently, as soon as I actuallywantto do it, I've got nothing.Awesome.
Instead, I stare at Harlan like a deer in the headlights. And then, blessedly, I notice Sidney from the corner of my eye. He's hovering over Hattie like he's two seconds from snatching her up and hauling her out of here over his shoulder, caveman style.
"How long do you think it'll be before they're fucking in a closet?" I blurt.
Harlan's eyes widen, one brow arching toward his hairline. "What?"
"Sidney and your…" Ah, crap. Reminding him that my brother is fucking his baby sister probably isn't the stellar opening I was going for here. Literally no one wants to think about my brother naked.
I walked in on him in the bathroom once. His ass is so pale, it rivals a polar ice cap. I'm still in therapy, trying to forget the image.
I seriously need more wine if I'm going to make it through this night.
"Never mind," I mutter, shaking my head. "Forget I said anything." I take a step back, preparing to make a graceful exit…or a hasty retreat. Same difference.
"Ten minutes," Harlan growls.
"What?"
"I give it ten minutes." He shoves a hand through his hair, his eyes narrowing on my brother like he isn't thrilled by the thought…but also like he kind of hopes he isn't wrong. Damn. I guess hereallywants to get out of here. "They'll be MIA in ten minutes."
I hesitate for a minute and then grin at him before peeking at my phone to check the time. "You don't know Sidney very well if you think he'll last that long, Harlan. He basically hates everyone in this room right now because they're paying attention to Hattie."