Page 102 of Unforgettable
“You have my word.”
The election was coming up in two weeks. During that time, I had classes and studying. Ryker had the same plus football practice and games. However, we did have the fundraiser, which wouldn’t be bad press. But even then, we wouldn’t be showing any affection in public.
Then my heart stopped beating.
Some woman was going to buy a date with Ryker, and some guy a date with me. I wasn’t thrilled about the event, but I’d signed up, and I couldn’t disappoint Lucas.
“I do have that charity event next Saturday.”
“I know. I suspect one of the Sims sisters will buy a date with Ryker.”
I growled under my breath. I really wasn’t looking forward to next Saturday.
33
Ryker
I’d been dying to see Haven all fucking week. Since she’d run out of Erik’s like someone had been chasing her, I hadn’t been able to concentrate. Well, except I’d had most of my head in the football game earlier that day. Thankfully, we’d won, so at least the day had started off well. But now with the charity event upon us, my gut was giving me a bad feeling about that night. I couldn’t pinpoint why. Maybe because Haven was an hour late. We still had an hour before the auction kicked off, but all participants were supposed to be at the hotel two hours prior to start time.
I paced the floral carpet in the hall at the Marriott, outside the ballroom where guests who had forked over fifty dollars for a ticket were chatting excitedly.
I wasn’t excited in the least. Now that I had finally admitted to myself that I might be in love with a woman I probably couldn’t have, I didn’t want to be there.
Lucas came out of a room next door to the main ballroom. The other participants were inside, getting ready for the event.
He adjusted his bow tie, looking suave and debonair. “Any word from Haven?”
I shook my head but continued to wear a hole in the carpet. “I sent her a text earlier, but no word.”
The only time I had heard from my girl was after she’d talked to her father. She’d been cryptic in her text with only a message that said she’d resolved some of her issues with him, and she’d assured me she was okay. She’d ended by saying, “I’ll see you at the charity event.”
I’d debated whether to head out to her father’s estate, but I’d had too much going on with football and practice.
“You don’t think her dad is responsible for her not being here?” Lucas asked.
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I muttered.
Maybe he’d locked her in some room until after the election. After all, his poll numbers had dropped big time during the last week for no other reason than his opponent seemed to have a solid backing with voters and some new policy he’d been bragging about in reducing emissions from manufacturers, power plants, and oil refineries.
Taking out my phone from my tux, I settled in front of a window that overlooked a garden.
Me:Hey, baby doll. Where are you? Everything okay?
Lucas sidled up to me. “Don’t look now, but Tabitha is coming this way.”
Motherfucker!
The woman was like a Whac-A-Mole.
“Lucas. Ryker.” Her high-pitched voice grated on my nerves.
Lucas, being the nice guy that he was, pivoted on his heel. I didn’t move but watched their exchange through the reflection in the window.
She kissed Lucas on the cheek. “You look great in a tux. Maybe I should put my money on you instead of Ryker.”
When she said my name, I blanched even though I was stupid to think that she wouldn’t be there or bid on me.
She skirted past Lucas and came up to me then hooked her arm around mine. “You smell awesome.”
