Page 1 of Hooking

Chapter 1

Cassidy

One week ago…

“Well, you can all go home. I’m not getting married anymore,” I say, walking into Hayley and Brooks’ villa, plopping myself into a lounge chair next to Hayley.

Hayley sits up straight and turns her body to face me fully. “What? Why?”

“What more do I need to explain? The wedding’s off,” I say, using my forearm to cover my eyes while looking up into the sun. “I was coming back from lunch with my parents and saw some… girl leaving the villa Vince and I were staying in.”

“Does he know you saw him? He has family in from out of town. It could have been a relative,” Brooks says as if he’s trying to reassure me that my worst fears aren’t coming true.

But I know it’s true, and I should have seen it coming from a mile away.

I snort laugh as if he just said the most asinine thing. “When your sister or cousin comes to visit, do they dress in tight body con dresses that are so short, they almost showcase your lady bits to the entire world?”

“You can’t just assume he was sleeping with her.”

“Sure, I can, Hayley. Vincent Burch is a known player. Always has been, always will be. I just thought he had finally changed his ways for me.”

“You should at least give him the benefit of the doubt and find out exactly what’s going on.”

“So, what am I supposed to do?” I say, in a voice of defeat.

“Stake out.”

“Bad idea. No go, Red,” Brooks says, interrupting our scheming.

“No. Good idea. We’re doing it,” I say, sitting up a little straighter.

Brooks lets out a breath of frustration. “And how do you two propose to confront a two-hundred-pound hockey player after you find what you’re looking for.”

Well, for starters, I’d kick him in the balls. That would take him down a few pegs. Then once I have him at his weakest, I’d look that motherfucker in the eyes and ask him how he could do such a thing.

But let’s be real here. There’s no way I would give him the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. The fact of the matter is I need to be the one to hurt him. Have him fall apart because of his actions.

“I confront him the day of the wedding,” I say, standing from the lounger, my mind already made up. “I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he broke my heart. I’ll break him and more in front of two-hundred-plus people if it comes to that.”

And there I go, showing my crazy again.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I say, looking at Hayley before turning on my heels to leave.

Am I being irrational? Maybe. But who’s to say he won’t try to lie his way out of this if I confront him any other way. He’s done it before. It’s why our relationship in high school failed to go anywhere.

This time will be different though. I’ll be armed with evidence and eyewitnesses to back up my accusations. Another thing he’s infamous for—turning around on me. No evidence, no truth is what he always said.

I make my way back to the villa and push open the door ever so quietly. I walk through the entryway and spot Vince lounging in the sun on the private deck. His arms are tucked behind his head, his muscles flexing and glistening in the Arizona sun. It’s hard not to stare at the man in front of me. He’s smokin’. Honestly, some would say he’s out of my league, but he picked me. And for a moment in time, I felt special. Well, that was until I realized it was all a big fat joke.

I try to not make my presence known, but he must have felt my stare. Turning in his spot, he smiles at me as he sits up. “I was wondering when you’d get back from lunch,” he says, moving toward me. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me in close as he places a chaste kiss on my lips. “How was lunch with your parents?”

Horrible.

“Good,” I say, pulling away from his overwhelming scent. “How was your evening lounging by the pool?”

“Uneventful. Would have been much better if you’d stayed.”

Yeah, right. Stayed my ass.

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