Page 40 of Triple Power Play 3
“I could always arrest them.” Reece shrugs.
“On what grounds?” the ex cries in pretentious audacity.
“Harassment. I warned you, but you didn’t listen. Now, you’re stalking our girl.” He turns to me and Ethan. “Or we can file a restraining order. I can get a judge on the phone while we’re all here.”
“What? No! I—” Beth wavers and glances at her father for help.
“That won’t be necessary.” Mr. Beth lifts his hands in surrender. “All we’re asking is that you keep your transgressions out of the public eye and away from us.”
“Transgressions?” I clutch my proverbial pearls with feigned astonishment. “All love is beautiful. We don’t discriminate here.”
Reece nods. “Agreed. That sounds like hate speech. I’ll add that to the restraining order.”
“What about terrorism?” I ask.
“Fuck me,” Ethan curses, face to the heavens. “Please, not another one. I can’t take another smart-ass.”
I scoff. Reece’s humor is dry. He’s not nearly as funny as I am.
Mr. Beth closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if he’s trying to wake from a fever dream. “This is a lost cause. We’re leaving. Let’s go, Bethany.”
He grabs her by the elbow, and the two march toward the elevator, Bitchy Bethany spitting and sputtering the entire way.
“Have a delightful night!” I call out. “Toodaloo, motherfuckers!”
Ethan shoves me inside and bear hugs me from behind. “For once, I’m actually thankful for your craziness.”
I throw him off. “Ha, ha… Hi, babe!” I go from deadpanning to feigning cheerful innocence.
Aurora stands in the middle of the open living area, hands on her hips, in nothing but Ethan’s jersey. Her hair is in a loose bun on top of her head, her face pale, her lips bright red in comparison.
“What’s going on?” She yawns. “I thought I heard voices. Why are you guys fighting?”
Before anyone can answer, Ethan stops dead. “Holy fucking Christmas, is that my jersey?”
“Wait!” I step between them and block his view of her, just to be an ass. “Babe, are these skinny jeans? Reece said I’m wearing skinny jeans.”
17
AURORA
“Are you sure about this?” My gaze traces over the burly bouncer outside the noisy sports bar. “The place is packed.”
The post-game crowd is loud enough to be heard from the street. Not my usual scene. I’m more of a stay-at-home-and-read type of girl.
Ethan takes my hand and helps me out of the Uber. He dips his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m feeding you then fucking you in that jersey. We won’t stay long.”
The bouncer acknowledges us with a nod as we enter. The place is surprisingly spacious. Booths line the brick walls, and TVs hang on every available surface. Pool tables are on one side and a dance floor occupies the other, the room filled with people and pulsating music.
He wraps a protective arm around me, and we head toward a roped-off section in the back, where the crowd and noise diminish. He guides me in front of him, and another bouncer grants us entry. We step into the VIP area, and I stiffen. At the bar, Trent stands among a sizable group of guys.
My date said it wasn’t necessary to dress up. I’m in his gently altered jersey, leggings, a leather jacket, and white Converse, myhair in loose waves. He’s in jeans and a black button-up. He conveniently failed to mention we were meeting people.
Trent and Ethan greet each other with that handshake-half-hug-clap-on-the-back thing guys do.
“Aurora, nice to see you again.” Trent places a hand over his heart. “Sincerely, I apologize for earlier. That was all my fault. I misunderstood the assignment.”
“Is that why we’re here?” I place my hands on my hips. “So you can grovel for Ethan?” I tease, and they both chuckle.
