Page 34 of My Brother's Teammates

My heart sinks. He’s really going to make me eat alone? Seriously? It’s bad enough he’s been avoiding me in the apartment.

Will Mateo get back up and go with them?

Roman pulls out the chair across from me. “We can’t leave her here by herself, Jace.” He jerks his chin at the remaining empty seat. “That wouldn’t be cool.” He gives me a sympathetic smile, but his eye contact is fleeting. Is he upset with me? Did Mateo say something to him? Why’s he being so… antsy?

Oh. He’s probably afraid of spilling our deep, dark secret to Harrison. Maybe it is better if he acts like he doesn’t know me beyond a casual acquaintance.

My mouth dries up.

I didn’t think this through. I also didn’t think Harrison would show up on my date with Mateo.

What I should have done was get up when they arrived, given them this table to have their dinner, and swiftly left, pretending to have already eaten. Now I’ve forced them all into a situation where three of the four men around me are keeping a secret from one of their best friends. At best, they have to hide the truth. At worst, they’re going to have to lie for me.

Clearly whatever plans Mateo and I made changed during practice, and now I’m the fifth wheel. I’ve made their comfortable dinner plans uncomfortable. My chest tightens, and I force out a shaky breath.

Mateo flashes his movie-star grin at my brother. “It’s fine, you and Jace can go eat over there.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder before draping his arm around my neck. “We’ll take care of Charlotte. Right, Ro?”

My body stiffens as I wait for Harrison to explode. Or Jace. Mateo’s always been brazen, but he’s flying a little too close to the fire, even for him.

Roman blinks, staring between Mateo, me, and Harrison. “Uh… Su?—”

“The fuck you will.” Jace’s growled sentence is barely audible as he pulls out the last remaining chair and points to it and then Harrison. “Sit. I’ll ask the hostess to bring another seat.” He turns on his heel, but before he leaves, he pulls Mateo’s arm off my body, narrowing his already glaring glare even further at his friend.

Great.

So much for my hope of a Mateo and Roman sandwich. Instead, I’m going to be crammed between grumpy-ass Jace and Teo—who seems intent on getting us all in trouble tonight. Wouldn’t be so bad if Jace pulled the rather large stick from his ass.

Fuck. Do they have plans Mateo didn’t know about—or forgot? Are they supposed to be meeting chicks? The mouthful of bread threatens to come back up. Are they going out to pick up women after dinner?

Before my mind threatens to turn this flickering green flame in my chest into a full-on green-eyed monster, Mateo squeezes my knee again. Jace helps a bubbly woman with an extra chair and place setting, her eyes damn near popping out of her head when she sees the four handsome giants around the table.

I contemplate growling at her or peeing on the guys to mark my territory, but it’s irrational and wholly unfounded. Those flames of jealousy in my body have no business being there, never mind growing. I have no claim over these men. Even if I might want to. Plus, golden showers aren’t my jam.

I don’t know what’s come over me.

It takes a couple of seconds and some shuffling for everyone to find space. Seems I’m surrounded by leg spreaders. Mateo slouches in his chair, his thigh and arm braced against mine on one side, and the whole left side of Jace’s taut body presses against me on the other.

My body temperature has shot up another fifteen degrees, and I really hope I don’t look as hot and bothered as I feel. Their firm, lean muscles caging me in on both sides have my mind—and body—running overtime. My nipples have a mind of their own, pebbling against the soft satin of my bra.

This is too much.

The air is thick with desire. Mine. Prickles of sweat bead across my forehead, joining those still on my upper lip. I flick my hair away from my neck, wishing I’d brought a hair tie, then pluck the menu from the table and fan myself as subtly as I can.

“What’s the matter, Red?” Mateo leans close to me, picking up his menu and hiding behind it. Hopefully Harrison doesn’t catch him taunting me. “Getting all hot and bothered?”

When I don’t answer right away, he chuckles, his body shaking against mine, making me acutely aware of just how close we are.

If I took my dress off to cool down, would anyone notice?

Probably. It feels like all the eyes in the place are focused right on me.

Can’t tug at the fabric around my neck either. It’s tight enough that it won’t go anywhere. Fanning myself is making Roman’s concerned eyes dance between the menu in his hands, my face, and my brother—who seems ignorant to what’s going on around the table thus far, thankfully.

I don’t dare look at Jace. His intense glare is boring through my skin, and the air around him shimmers with an unspoken rage.

The server comes to take our order, breaking some of the tension at the table, and makes flirty eyes at my brother. While Harrison asks her about the fish of the day, Mateo touches my leg, and I jump in surprise.

My knee cracks against the underside of the table, making everyone’s water glasses slosh and silverware jump. Harrison glances over his menu, glancing at me with his brows raised, and I slouch down in my chair.

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