Page 24 of Wicked Player

"I think you're the dorky one," Paige replied.

"Ladies." A stern warning came from the corner. Oliver stood straight like a statue, hands shoved into the front pockets of his tuxedo pants. He wasn't looking at his wife or his sister-in-law, though. His dead serious glare was pinned on me, and when I met his through the elevator doors, they dropped to my press badge.

I looked away from him, unable to withstand the intensity. Clearly, I wasn't to be trusted listening to them.

“Yes, ladies. If we’ve told you once, your father and I have told you a hundred times. No bickering in public.” Beaux’s faux parental voice made me crack a smile.

He was standing closest to me, and as the girls fell into more laughter, I sent him a grateful smile.

He flashed me a wink. “Don’t worry about the surly man in the mirror. We forgot to remove the stick from his ass.”

“Beaux—”

He lifted a hand, palm out in Oliver’s direction, and grinned at me. Pointing to my badge, he declared, “Off the record of course.”

His tone was teasing, but a seriousness lurked behind his eyes. He might have been teasing, but he wasn’t joking.

I covered my badge. “What happens on the elevator stays on the elevator. Promise.”

“In that case.” He flung out his arm and wrapped it around his wife’s waist, yanking her to him.

Her hands slammed to his chest and she bent backward. I jumped out of the way so she didn’t hit me. “Don’t you dare kiss me, Beaux Hale. You’ll ruin my makeup.”

“Woman. What is this hell? I have to wear a tux and I don’t get to make out—“

“Gross,” Shannon groaned. “You’re going to make me vomit.” She caught my eye and grinned. “Don’t mind him. He might be an adult, but he’s nothing more than an overgrown ball of dweebiness and hormones.”

It was all I could do to hide my smile. “No offense taken,” I assured her.

She heldout her hand then and pleasantly smiled. "Shannon Powell and I’ve seen you on the news before. You’re very sweet."

"It's nice to meet you, Shannon," I said. "Elizabeth Hayes and thank you.”

She dropped my hand and then slid it to the back of her husband. “I think it's lovely that Gage has allowed reporters to follow him over the next couple weeks. He really believes in what he's creating, and I'm glad that everyone in the state will be a part of it."

"Trust me, I'm just as honored to be here tonight, and I believe the children will be when they can play in their new wing." The doors dinged as I was finished talking, and I stepped out of the elevator quickly to allow them to exit. Shannon fell in step next to me. She carried an ease about her, devoid of any pretense that she was married to one of the richest athletes in the country.

She looped her hand around my arm like we’d been friends for decades and hadn’t just met. “And don’t let Oliver scare you. He’s distrustful of pretty much everyone.”

“Woman—” he growled, walking right behind us.

She winked at me. “See? He’s such a pain in the ass.”

“And if you don’t stop talking shit about me to a reporter, it’s your ass that’s going to be feeling pain later.”

“Oh.” She shivered and nudged her elbow into me. “That sounds delightful.” She reached out with her other hand, threaded her fingers with her husband’s. “Is that a promise or a threat?”

He gave her a beleaguered sigh, but his patience with his wife ended when our eyes met.

Before he could glare at me again, I pulled away from Shannon. “I’m here to follow Gage and write a story on the children’s wing. I promise that’s it.” And because I couldn’t help myself, I continued. “There will be no mentioning spankings. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to grab a drink and find my table.”

“I’ll come find you later,” Shannon said. “I might not know you—but I like you.”

“Same,” I replied and halted my steps so they could continue.

“Enjoy your evening,” Paige said to me. Beaux flashed me his sweet, All-American boy smile.

“Enjoy your tan.”

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