“You look flawless.”
Heat licks at my cheeks, but I’m saved from responding when we’re called to play games. Theo and I end up on the same team where he keeps me occupied with his excitable puppy energy.
But it’s not enough to snuff out my awareness of Cal.
18
CALLUM
Ithought Alia going on dates would help me push through the emotional gridlock of my own confusion. It had occurred to me that I might finally be able to pursue other women if she was unavailable.
Turns out, planning gameplay works well when you’re avoiding being thrown into the boards at thirty miles an hour. Avoiding emotions? A whole different story. Because all I want to do right now is march up to the corner of the deck where Alia and Theo stand and interrupt whatever the fuck is going on.
I’m entering my caveman era and I have no fucking clue what triggered it.
Most of the team is at the Moore house, celebrating not just Diwaloween but also our ranking on the Western Conference board. Everyone’s in a fantastic mood except me. Seeing Alia at the door,dressed in that stunning Indian dress and looking like an adolescent Cal’s dream come true, nearly brought me to my knees.
Through the evening, she’s been mingling and making friends with some of the WAGs. Seeing her loosening up and coming out of her shell makes me proud, even if it is a sentiment I can’t share with anyone else.
What I did not sign up for, however, is her connecting a bit too well with Novak. My best friend leering at the woman I have a crush on is not the vibe I’m going for tonight. Or ever.
Does he have to lean over so much? What is he trying to do, smell her hair? It’s something citrusy!
I shuffle closer, stopping to say hello to our second line winger, his girl, and their friend who keeps touching my arm unnecessarily. Why doesn’t anyone understand personal space anymore?
Like a dog who’s heard the silent whistle of his owner, the entire time I’m with others, my ears are attuned to the conversation a few feet away. I manage to catch bits and pieces, but what I hear has me on high alert.
“You should come by the pet shelter,” Alia says to Theo. “I’m sure you’ll find a cute friend for yourself.”
“How about you be my cute friend instead and I come by the pet shelter for a furry one?” Theo flirts.
A good man might want his friends to find happiness together. I’ve always considered myself to be a pretty decent guy. I’m finding out how wrong I am because I’ve never wanted to punch Theo in the face more than I do right now.
Alia laughs—a rich sound I wish I could bottle up. Dammit,Iwant to be the one to make her laugh the hardest. I want to watch as she struggles to maintain a stern face and fails. But Theo is the lucky bastard who’s on the receiving end of her brilliant smile.
Fuck him for being funny. How dare he.
Before I know it, I’m striding toward them. Where the hell is Moore to snarl like an overprotective bear when it’s necessary? Hewas so ready to rip into me but went conveniently missing when Theo started flirting. Asshole.
I glance around and find him in the far corner of the yard, deep in conversation with Mateo and our PR manager, Marissa. Looks like I have no choice but to step in. I reach the dimly lit corner just as I hear Alia say, “I have time Wednesday evening if you want to come take a look?”
“No,” I cut in unceremoniously. Interrupting Novak eye-fucking Alia is more important than any manners my dear mother ever drilled into me. Manners can go fuck themselves for all I care. “He can’t.”
Theo’s mouth twists unhappily. “The fuck I can’t.”
“You’re busy.”Jesus, didIjust growl?
“We’re not playing that night.”
“You’re still busy.”
“Doing what?”
Not making a move on my. . . Alia.
“You signed up for an interview with SportsWeb,” I remind him. “Marissa will kill you if you miss it.”
“Marissa is our PR manager,” Theo explains to a curious Alia. “She’s like a scary mom.”