Page 15 of Hooking

Brooks: Go get her, tiger.

I try to chalk it up that he may have had one too many drinks. Or that Hayley may have stolen his phone to lead me astray from my promise to keep my hands to myself, but as if he’s reading my thoughts, my phone pings again.

Brooks: Yes, it’s me, you fucker. I’m giving you my blessing. But I’m warning you… you fucking hurt her, I’ll kick your ass.

I can’t help but chuckle at his messages. He’s changed since he chose to get tied down with Hayley. He’s happier. I can’t say it’s not something I wish I had, because deep down at one point, it had been everything I wanted. It’s what I was so close to. I can’t say that I haven’t thought about trying again because I have. But every time I think I’m ready to open my heart again, my mind has other plans.

Yet, part of me can’t help but wonder if Cassidy could be my Hayley. The person to change everything. I’ve regretted leaving her the way I did all those years ago. Our chemistry was off the charts. That was undeniable. Would she even be willing to give me another chance? I guess there’s only one way to know for sure, and if the dress she’s wearing right now is an indication, I would say yes, she is.

“Are you ready to go?” she says, staring at me with a tight smile. Her cheeks have reddened slightly from my perusal, but I can tell from how forced her smile is that she’s unsure of herself.

All I can do is nod. Yeah, a fucking head nod.

Idiot.

I hold the door for her as she walks ahead of me and by the sway of her hips, I know she’s rebuilt some of her confidence. I lift my head to the sky, saying a silent little prayer as I follow closely. God, her ass looks amazing in that dress. I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to hold it in my hands again.

Stop it.

No more nonsense. Keep to the plan of being here for her as a friend. Nothing more. No matter what Brooks says. Cassidy and I could be combustible but destructible in the end. I know me. I’m the no-commitment type. The hit it and quit it guy. And no matter how much I want to dive in and give this thing a shot, I know it’s only a matter of time before I destroy her completely and myself in the process.

The host seats us at a little table overlooking the ocean. It’s a beautiful night. The sky’s clear, the hot day’s heat has died to a simmer, bringing a slight chill along with it. Waves crash along the shoreline. Oh fuck. Could this place get any more romantic? It’s like I’m in a fucking Nicholas Sparks novel right now.

I look up to see Cassidy staring at me, her brows furrowing slightly as she narrows her eyes in my direction. “You okay over there?”

“Never better,” I say, my voice rough. My mouth is suddenly dry from the heat of her gaze. Reaching across the table, I grab the glass of ice water already present and chug half of it.

“So…”

“So…” I counter as we continue to stare at one another.

She chuckles slightly before placing both arms on the tabletop, her breasts resting leisurely on top. I try not to stare, but the ample amount of cleavage being showcased is making it almost impossible. “There’s a lot of good up-and-coming rookies this season.”

“There are…” I say, trying to lighten the sexual tension lingering in the air.

“Some good-looking ones too.”

I choke on the sip of water I just took. My grip on the glass tightens as I harden my gaze at her. “What are you doing, Cassidy?” I ask as my voice voids from emotion.

She glances at her menu, flipping the pages as if it’s the most amazing thing, and she didn’t just drop a bomb that would ultimately get under my skin. “What am I doing? Nothing, just stating what every other single girl would be talking about. Hockey players are hot, and the rookie class is shaping up to be a good-looking batch this year.”

“Cass,” I warn, my tone sharp.

“What?” she counters, her eyebrows raising slightly. “I’m stating the obvious, Channing.”

I blow out a deep breath before pressing my lips into a firm line. “You’re sure that’s what you’re doing? Because it sounds like the comments you just made were to make me jealous.”

“Are you jealous, Channing?” she says, placing the menu down on the table. She narrows her eyes at me for a moment before a small smirk fills her gorgeous face. “There is no reason for me to make you jealous, Channing. You’ve made your feelings and stance known a long time ago. I read the message loud and clear that night.”

“Cass—” I start to say just as the server comes over, cutting the conversation off.

We order our meals and a few appetizers, and the server disappears as fast as they arrived, leaving us in an uncomfortable silence. Cassidy sips on her glass of red, her gaze sullen and somewhat bothered. Just like the morning I took off on her and called her a mistake. Just like the moment she showed up at the bar on her wedding day.

I’m an idiot.

I’ve mentioned that once before, right? Cause if I haven’t, I’m going to say it now. I’m an idiot. Confirmed, signed, sealed, and delivered right here for a fact on a silver platter. I don’t think I’ve ever realized how much the night we spent together stayed prominent in Cassidy’s mind. It’s one I’ve kept in my spank bank for lonely nights where my right hand has been my only form of fornication. She had been so cool with how things had played out with us and didn’t hesitate in the slightest when I suggested we only be friends. Fuck. I’ve been oblivious to how that night truly affected her all along.

“You know what,” I say, breaking the silence between us. “I am jealous. I’m jealous every time you talk about another man. I’m jealous because they can have you, and I can’t.”

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