Page 21 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
Her heart hit Mach 1, and she bristled. Pulling away from Xavier’s embrace, she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And she didn’t because the only person who knew about their arrangement was Poppy, and she wouldn’t tell a soul.
Buck’s lips lifted in a smug grin. “Right.” His gaze flicked from Sadie to Xavier and back. “Lucky for you, I don’t care, but if you’re going to put the screws to me, believe me, I’m going to give back as much as I get.” He leaned in. “I want Templar, and if you want your company back, you’ll get them. Otherwise, I’ll let the creditors dismantle it piece by piece.”
It took every ounce of will Sadie had not to pummel him. “What did I ever see in you?”
Leaning back, his lips twisted into a snarl. “The better question is, what did I see in you?”
Xavier moved like he was going to take on Buck, and Sadie palmed his chest, turning to him. “You’re better than him.”
“Buck?” Cinnamon walked up behind him, her eyebrows knitted together. “What’s going on?”
As if a switch flipped, Buck turned to her with open arms. “Nothing, sweetheart. Just giving Sadie a pep talk. You know how it is at these things. She’s nervous.”
Smiling, Cinnamon wrapped her arms around his chest and looked at Sadie. “I really do know.” She waved her hand at Sadie’s art. “These illustrations are fantastic. I’ve seen the work you did while you were with Empire, and your gift has only gotten stronger.”
It was so fishy-smelling that Sadie could swear she was standing in a fresh seafood market. Why was Buck one way with her and so different with Cinnamon? “Yeah, pep talk,” she said softly.
“Come on, sweetheart, we’ll walk around, take in the sights, and see if Templar has arrived yet.” Buck winked.
What had Buck done that he’d behave that way? Even for him, that was a little weird. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good, and it would irk her until she figured it out. Cinnamon looked as confused as Sadie felt. Had she overheard Buck?
Now Sadie felt bad about judging her. Maybe shehadbeen sincere when they met at the Dallas comic-con. Could she be on the verge of being scammed by that creep too?
Chapter 14
As soon as Cinnamon and Buck were gone, Xavier turned to Sadie. “What was that?”
Buck had been a generic jerk up to this point, but he’d rolled right past that into threatening. It just didn’t add up. He’d brought up Xavier’s relationship with Kim, how she’d taken advantage of him. It wasn’t a secret by any means, but why bring that up? To make him doubt Sadie?
Why would she have given him an out when they met at the restaurant if she was taking advantage of him? A small voice reminded him that it could have been her way of making him trust her. From there, his thoughts plunged into a war of whether he could trust her or not. And now wasn’t the right time for that. Not in the middle of an exhibition hall.
Sadie shrugged. “I have no idea, but something doesn’t seem right.”
“Well, yeah, he was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Xavier raked his hand through his hair. “I wanted to deck him more than I’ve ever wanted to punch someone in my life.” Still wanted to.
Sadie moved closer to him as a group of people passed by. “Who would he have heard talking about us?”
“I told my two closest friends, Harry and Griffin, because if I hadn’t, they would’ve bugged me to death. Let’s not forget those two jerks put me in that suit.” He bent a little lower. “They would never have told a soul. Yes, they’ll die laughing at my expense, but when it’s important, those two have my back.” Xavier would go to his grave believing that unless the guys fessed up to it.
“Poppy knows, but she wouldn’t talk either. Would they come here without telling you?”
He wilted a little at the prospect. “There’s a good chance they might have, only to meet you. I was serious when I said you were famous.” He chuckled. “They’re dying to meet you.”
“Really?” Her face lit up.
Oh man, that smile, and he loved the little lift in her voice like she was surprised and flattered at the same time.
“They think you’re hot too.” He winked.
“Only if I was actual fire.” She rolled her eyes. “What do we do? Come clean?”
Of the things he wanted to do, that wasn’t it, even if it was safer. “I don’t know.”
“But if he’s told Templar we’re together…what—”
“We keep to the plan. I don’t trust Buck for a second. Something weird is going on. I think I’ll call a friend of mine and see if she can dig anything up.”
Nodding, Sadie blew out a puff of air. “Okay. Are you sure about continuing to pretend? We don’t have to, and I’ll take all the blame.”
