Page 89 of Breaking Point
Stupid, so fucking selfishly stupid.
I begin to slide away, to give her distance. Fuck the agreement we made, she needs to not feel so cornered by men?—
I stop as Bella slides her hand onto my thigh and squeezes.
My breath hitches.
I remain frozen until she scoots closer to me. I can’t help it, my brows rise in shock. It takes considerable effort to pull my mind away from her and focus on who’s speaking. Part of me hates that she’s meeting some of the guys this frazzled; they’re like a dog with a bone.
“Fuck that guy, he’s always getting kicked out,” O’Connor states, leaning past Cindy to shake Bella’s hand. “I’m Asher. Thanks for keeping her company tonight.”
Cindy rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of wine.
Bella smiles softly. “I’m pretty sure it was the other way around but good luck getting rid of us now.”
Cindy winks. “Yeah, Grayson. You and Kieran aren’t the only devil pair in the league.”
I laugh at that, the tension in my chest and the adrenaline coursing through my body from earlier fading as Bella nestles further into my warmth.
Bella’s just doing what you told her to do, a small voice in my mind reminds me as my heart gallops at her affection. Fuck me. Who would have thought I’d ever have to remind myself a beautiful girl’s touch was fake because I’m paying her?
“Thank God we have you two, otherwise all we’d talk about is hockey,” Ellington grumbles, holding out his hand to Bella. “I’m Caleb.”
And just to piss him off, I wink. “One of the best defensemen in the league.”
Ellington rolls his eyes as Valenti scoffs beside him, the best friend duo always grappling with each other.
“I think you’re forgetting Ellington isn’t the only one in the first line defense, Cap.” He leans forward, a charismatic smile spreading across his dark cheeks. “I’m Matteo, the one Caleb can’t defend without.”
Caleb chuckles. “Bit full of yourself tonight, Valenti.”
Cindy leans over. “Before you ask, yes, they’re always like this.”
Bella snorts as she takes a sip of her drink. “Nice to meet you all. Although, Matteo…” At this, his head pops up, his smile widening. “Were you the one that sent that Twilight meme?”
His face falls along with his smile as laughter explodes around the booth.
“This is the skin of a killer, Bella,” Ellington imitates, tears pooling in his eyes with how hard he’s laughing.
Valenti glares my way. “Since when do we share the privacy of our group chat?”
“Since forever,” Cindy deadpans.
Valenti’s jaw drops as he turns his accusatory glare to O’Connor. “You too?”
He shrugs, a wicked grin on his face. “We have no secrets.”
“It’s not a secret, it’s a group chat.” His eyes widen. “I’ve said some personal shit on there, O’Connor.”
“Oh, we know,” Cindy sing-songs before she bursts out cackling as Matteo’s face pales. “I’m just messing with you. He only shows me the funny stuff.”
His eyes narrow on O’Connor and then on me. “I’m going to get you back. Just wait.”
After taking a sip of his beer, he leans forward, the conversation suddenly forgotten as he turns his attention on mygirlfriend. “So, Bella, what are your intentions with our man?”
Ellington and O’Connor snort in sync.
Bella’s brows rise. “Nothing short of good.”
