Page 31 of Heart Taker

“Nothing unusual going on there,” I replied. “But that reminds me. I better go over and give them the news about the training camp before I give my speech.”

“I’m going to grab another drink before dinner starts,” Dave added. “You want anything?”

“I’m good for now, but thanks.”

Dave wandered off while I emptied my glass, reached up to straighten my tie, and took a deep breath. Standing up, I put on my iciest, most professional mask, and made my way around the various tables until I reached my target.

There was an empty seat near Axel but as I was about to sit down, a napkin hit my chest. I glanced up and realized thenapkin was thrown by the one person I was trying to avoid. I was annoyed, but also grateful for the distraction.

“Silas,” I bit out and glared at him.

“Nice fit,” Silas commented. “But where’s your whistle?”

Everyone at the table laughed at his comment.

“I don’t think you want me to tell you where you can find it,” I retorted, making all the players laugh harder. “Are you done now?”

He held his hands up in mock surrender.

Ignoring the urge I had to keep bantering with him, I went straight into my pitch about the summer training camp and got a few interested questions.

Once I was done, I wished them all a good night, stood up, and headed back to my table.

Done. See, I can handle being around him. It’s no problem. I’m fine.

Okay, my hands were shaking, and I was sweating something fierce, but it was pre-speech nerves. It had nothing to do with Silas.

I was halfway to my table, safety in sight, when someone tapped my shoulder.

A shiver ran up my spine, and I didn’t need to turn around to know who was standing behind me.

“Hey,” I managed to whisper as I turned to face Silas.

With more and more people crowding into the ballroom, there was hardly any room to manoeuvre, never mind a proper distance. We were standing way too close, and when I got jostled, I accidentally reached for Silas’s arm to steady myself.

“Sorry.”

I yanked my hand back.

“No worries. There’re too many people in here for my liking.”

I smiled at his put-out tone.

“Was there something you needed?” I asked, swallowing hard. “I mean, about the program?”

“Is it really open to any of us?” he asked me.

“Of course. I’ve already sent out invites to several pro players for the workshops. That kind of mentorship is what’s going to set this program apart.”

“I want in, Damien.”

Goddamn it, he shouldn’t call me by my first name. I liked it way too much.

“You need to apply like everyone else, Silas,” I stated, crossing my arms, needing some kind of barrier, any kind.

“I will. But I’m telling you, I want in,” Silas repeated, his eyes imploring mine. “I need this. I think it’s going to give me that edge that I’ve been missing.”

The blunt way he spoke, his ambition, it made my blood race. Fuck, I needed to get gone.

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