“Hold up, Roar.” Calder used my childhood nickname, as he pulled me towards the champagne bar.
He downed two glasses of champagne before we made our way into the main hall. People were all seated and talking, but thank fuck the dinner prayer hadn’t started.
Despite the fact that Calder was a complete hooligan, his manners were impeccable. He first greeted Dad and Mom and then, gave his own parents, who sat at the next table, a nod before he turned his attention on me. He helped me sit down and then, with a small flourish, sat down next to me.
I glanced up at the table and the breath nearly sucked out of my chest. Max in a tuxedo was more than breath-taking. It almost hurt how gorgeous he was. His dark, unimpressed gaze focused only on Calder.
When Max turned his attention to me, I could see the question in his eyes. I raised one eyebrow and motioned to Katrina with my eyes.He had no right to judge my date, not when he had a barracuda sitting next to him.
Dinner started. Calder ordered two double scotches in succession, but managed to sound both intelligent and business savvy when he discussed the market with Dad.
Mom leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Calder is very handsome.”
I whispered back. “Mom, stop it.”
She reached out and squeezed my hand. “Is Katrina sleeping with that hockey player?”
I froze. “Max?”
“Yes, that’s his name.” Her smile grew. “He’s handsome and she seems besotted with him.”
The irony! It waskillingme.
“I don’t know if they’re dating.”
“Well, they make a gorgeous couple.”
I glanced over at Katrina and Max. As she leaned over Max to talk to the person on the other side of him, she pressed her entire body against his. I mean, she might as well climb into his lap. Bitterness washed over me. Mom was right. They were a gorgeous couple.
I thought about that night I saw him flirting with the puck bunny.Thiswas who he was. He told me that he didn’t want to settle down. Seeing him with another woman was torture, but seeing him with Katrina devastated me. Anyone but her!
Calder slung his arm around me and put his lips to my ear. “So, is the guy you’re fucking the one who is giving me the death stare from across the table?”
“Calder!”
He pulled back and his face was only a couple inches from my face. He stared into my eyes like a lover. “Just wondering. Since the broad he’s with is a fox.”
I put my hand on his chest to push him back. Instead, he captured my hand and pressed it against his chest.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, annoyed.
Calder smiled and stared at me for a few more seconds before he spoke. “I’m making your lover jealous hoping he comes after you, which will give me a decent opening to fuck the fox.”
The thought of Calder and Katrina disappearing, made me feel more happy than it should.
“Why would you do that?”
His eyes dropped to my mouth, like a lover would do. “Team work, Roar. Team work.”
“I’m afraid your Fox has eyes only for him.”
Calder laughed and pulled back. He grabbed my hand and without taking his eyes off my face, brought my hand up to his lips. “Is that a challenge? Do we want to put a wager on that bet?”
He was being so ridiculous, I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. “What is the bet?”
“If I can fuck her, you get me and my boys some tickets to the game the next time Minnesota comes to town. Close up to the ice. We want to see lots of blood.”
“You’re sick, but yeah. Deal.”