Page 22 of Sizzling Desire

“Let’s go,” Chance says, nudging me toward the door.

But as we go to walk out of Hooplas, my mind is still stuck on Gracie, the handsome stranger, and the fact that, no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, I’m not done with her.

We’re not done.

I just need to figure out how to convince her of it.

I watch Chance drive out of the parking lot of Hooplas with Moe, on their way to the police station, the tension rolling off me in waves. My mind is spinning after the interview with Moe. Something about his story lines up with what I’ve been piecing together, but it’s like I’m missing a critical detail—a piece that’s just out of reach. I should be focused on the investigation, but instead, all I can think about isher.

Gracie sitting at the bar. Gracie laughing with some guy who’s clearly enjoying every second of it. Gracie ignores me like I don’t even exist. How is she not drawn to me like I am to her? Is this all in my head?

I grind my teeth as I cross the parking lot, trying to shove the image of her and Mr. Perfect out of my head. Who the hell is he, anyway? And why the hell does it bother me so damn much?

Just as I’m about to unlock my truck, my phone buzzesin my pocket. I pull it out and see Hudson’s name flash across the screen.

“Yo,” I answer, leaning against the truck, trying to steady my thoughts.

“Kane, what’s up, man?” Hudson’s voice is casual, like he’s already kicked back for the evening. “Kate’s busy with wedding stuff, and I’m sitting here bored as hell. You wanna come over and shoot some hoops? Clear your head?”

I let out a long breath, the thought of shooting some hoops sounding exactly like what I need right now. Something physical to burn off this frustration. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

Hudson hangs up, and I slide into the truck, feeling the tension in my shoulders loosen just a fraction. Shooting hoops with Hudson is always a good way to take the edge off, and right now, I need all the distraction I can get.

Fifteen minutes later, I pull into Hudson’s driveway, the sun just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across his large property. As I step out of the truck, I hear the familiar sound of paws hitting the pavement, and before I can even react, Hudson’s English Mastiff, Pepper, comes barreling toward me, her massive body wiggling with excitement.

“Hey, girl,” I laugh, crouching down as she nudges her giant head against me, her tail wagging so hard it’s like a whip. “Miss me, huh?”

Pepper slobbers all over my arm, but I don’t care. She’s a beast of a dog, but she’s got the heart of a puppy, and for some reason, she’s always had a soft spot for me. Hudson follows behind her, grinning as he watches the greeting unfold.

“I think she loves you more than she loves me,” Hudson jokes, tossing a basketball toward me.

“Yeah, well, why wouldn’t she,” I question, catching theball, throwing it back to him, and giving Pepper one last pat before standing up.

We head toward the hoop in the driveway, the pavement still warm from the day’s sun. Hudson dribbles the ball a few times before passing it to me. I take a shot, sinking it effortlessly, but there’s no satisfaction in it. My mind is still stuck on Gracie.

“You alright? You seem off,” Hudson says after a beat, taking the ball and dribbling around me. “You still helping Chance with the case?”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “Yeah. We’ve been trying to piece together this arson stuff. It’s all over the place.”

Hudson gives me a look—one that tells me he’s not buying it. He knows me too well. We’ve been through too much shit together for him to fall for that weak ass excuse.

“Come on, man,” he says, tossing the ball back to me. “It’s me you’re talking to. What’s really going on?”

I hesitate, holding the ball in my hands, staring at it like it holds the answers to all my problems, but of course, it doesn’t. Nothing about this situation is simple. I toss the ball back to Hudson.

Finally, I let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s Gracie.”

Hudson stops dribbling, raising an eyebrow. “Grace? As in Kate’s best friend, Grace? You’re still thinking about her?”

“Yeah, her,” I say, my voice tight. He takes a shot, the ball bouncing off the rim this time. “We, uh… we had a thing a couple weeks ago. It was… intense, and ever since, I can’t get her out of my head. I keep telling myself it was just one night, but?—”

“But it wasn’t,” Hudson finishes for me, his tone knowing.

I nod, feeling the frustration bubble up again. “Yeah. It wasn’t…isn’t, and now, I just saw her at Hooplas tonight, laughing with some guy. Mr. Perfect, all smooth and charming, and I know it’s stupid to be pissed about it, but… hell, I am.”

Hudson dribbles the ball a few times before taking a shot, sinking it easily this time. “Look, man, I’m not gonna pretend I know what’s going on between you and Grace... never could figure it out. You two fight like cats and dogs, but I do know this—if she’s stuck in your head like this, it’s for a reason.”

I don’t respond right away, just watching the ball roll across the driveway. Hudson’s right, of course, but admitting that out loud feels like giving in to something I’m not sure I’m ready for.

---