Page 161 of Wicked Minds
“There’s no one else, Babydoll. Logan has a game tonight and another tomorrow. Best I can do is get him to switch out with Grayson once he’s done tonight.”
“No, don’t do that,” I sigh, giving in to defeat. I can’t have Logan coming to sit in the club until 2 am after playing all night and with another game tomorrow. He has to be on top form if he’s going to be picked up by the Timberwolves. He’s already given up one NHL spot for me, I won’t let him fuck up his chances of getting another.
Royce’s lips kick up in a smirk, knowing he’s won this argument.
I glower at him but ultimately relent. “Fine, but I can’t be held responsible for what I do to him if he pisses me off.”
“I’m sure whatever you do, he had it coming.”
I snort, shaking my head as Grayson comes striding toward us. My whole body still goes tense when I see him, preparing to do battle and not entirely accepting of this strange stalemate we’ve come to for now.
“Hey,” he greets, setting his tray down on the table and sliding into the seat opposite mine.
“I’ve got that meeting with Xander tonight,” Royce states, holding Grayson’s gaze.
“Yes.” Grayson looks at Royce expectantly, already sensing there’s more than just that statement.
“And Riley has to work.”
Grayson’s brow arches in aget to the point.
“So, I need you to be at the club tonight to keep an eye on her.”
Grayson’s brows jump up his forehead and it would be almost comical if it didn’t mean I had to spend all night with Grayson’s eyes on me.
“You want me to sit at Lux all night and watch her dance?” he clarifies. “Why?”
“Her boss is a sleazebag. I don’t trust him, and I don’t want her left alone with him.”
Grayson’s gaze snaps to mine as if looking for confirmation.
“He gets off on perving on the girls, but I’ll be fine for one night. You don’t have to do it.”
Royce makes a growl of disagreement, but I don’t take my eyes off Grayson.
“I’ll do it,” he states, without giving it more than a second’s thought.
Surprise flashes through me, but Royce merely nods before filling him in on Ben and telling him what to look out for.
“Ugh, sorry I’m late,” Logan says near the end of our lunch hour. “Meeting with Coach ran long.” He smacks a kiss on my lips before falling into the empty seat beside Grayson and stealing the leftover food on my tray.
“You ready for tonight?” I ask.
He nods, grinning viciously. “You know it, Shortcake. Coach just told me there will be a Timberwolves scout there.”
“Uh, what are you doing here?” I ask as I step out of my apartment building that night to find Grayson waiting for me.
His brows scrunch in confusion. “I thought Royce drove you there and home?”
“He does. I just, uh… You don’t have to.”
He rolls his eyes as he pushes off the side of his fancy car. “You think Royce wouldn’t knock me out with one punch if I let you walk by yourself in the dark?”
He definitely would. Still, I make no move toward his car, and noticing, he sighs. “We’re going to the same place. Just get in the car, Riley.” Pausing at his door, his eyes meet mine over the car. “Unless you’re afraid to be alone with me in a confined space.”
There’s a haughty smirk playing on his lips that has me storming toward the car before I can talk some common sense into myself. As I slam the door closed, I swear I hear him chuckle.
Ugh, even when he doesn’t hate me, he’s still a fucking asshole.
