Page 70 of No Rhyme or Roughing
Sullie, despite his jovial nature when he’d played host a few days ago, now wouldn’t even look at me across the white linen-covered table. It was one of the best steakhouses in town—way too fancy for the Cassidy boys. Yet, Teddy had dragged us here, saying the whole thing was on him. Apparently, the cost was a worthy price for the entertainment he thought we’d bring.
I hated him.
I loved him.
As much as I’d always loved my brother. The two of them were no different in my mind.At least, they hadn’t used to be. Growing up, it was the three of us—best friends and brothers.
I stared hard at the menu, trying not to think about the way Sullivan grimaced when Sam told him we were joining them. Trying to forget how Sydney had sounded on the phone with her ex. Teddy’s presence in the car on the way here had been the perfect cover. He always talked enough for both of us, and Sydney had said little. Even now, as we picked through the menu, she stared out the window toward the dark bay, her mind lost somewhere else.
Withhim.A literal rock star.
Why did I care so much? About Sam, the girl who’d broken me? About Sydney, the one I couldn’t get out of my head?
Neither of them were my girl in truth.
Teddy cleared his throat, and I glanced up to see a server looking expectantly at me.
“The panko-crusted chicken, please,” I said, closing my menu and handing it over. “Asparagus and roasted potatoes for my sides.”
“And to drink?” the server asked, not bothering to write anything down.
“Water’s fine.”
Apparently, everyone else had already ordered because he left us in our awkward silence.
Teddy rolled his eyes. “That’s such a Cassidy move. We’re at a steakhouse that serves drool-worthy filets, and both of you order the same boring chicken.”
I shrugged, reaching for the glass bottle of water. “I like chicken.” It even sounded stupid as I said it. Teddy knew me too well.
He swiped the water from me and poured it into my glass with the flourish of someone far too comfortable in expensive restaurants with table water, crystal glasses, and cloth napkins. To be fair, it wasn’t foreign to me, having grown up alongside him. But it didn’t mean I liked it.
He poured water for my brother too, who also hadn’t ordered a drink. “No.” Teddy set the bottle down with a dramatic sigh. “You two are so predictable. You got the cheapest thing on the menu. I told you, I’m paying. You know I’m rich, right?”
Teddy didn’t flaunt his trust fund, but even living in his house still didn’t sit right when he refused to let me pay him rent.
“Like we could forget,” Sullivan muttered, chuckling into his glass.
For the first time since we’d arrived, I met his gaze. For just a moment, I saw myself reflected back. We’d spent so many years laughing at Teddy together instead of hating each other.
Sydney coughed. “Chill, Ted.” She draped her arm over the back of my chair, her long fingers brushing my shoulder. I’d forgotten we were supposed to be pretending at love.
Her touch sent a wave of want through me, and I shifted away from her. But her damn hand followed, landing lightly on my arm.
Sam watched us, catching my eye. I wasn’t sure how much she believed I was with Sydney, but telling her the truth would mean letting her know I still cared what she thought of me. I wanted her to think I’d finally moved on.
Iwantedto move on.
Teddy, thankfully, pulled the focus back to himself. “So, Sam,” he said, leaning forward conspiratorially. “How delicious was I dancing out there?”
She raised a brow, lips twitching. “Whatever do you mean, Teddy? Did something happen on the ice tonight?”
Sullivan shrugged. “I went to the bathroom, and when I got back, the arena had this weird vibe.”
Teddy’s smile fell. “You didn’t see it?”
“See what?” Sydney asked.
Teddy looked at me for backup, but I shrugged. “It wasn’t that big of a deal, dude.”
