Page 26 of Undeniable
I went to work gathering the glasses, sliced lemons, and limes. The ice, I didn’t care about. The gamblers at the tables on both sides were oblivious to my plight. Whatever was happening between Lucas and Josh, I tuned out. If they wanted to brawl, I wasn’t about to stop them. But I knew this incident wasn’t over with Josh.
Lucas squatted down and handed me a glass.
With my tray and the glasses in hand, I stood up and took one glance around to find Josh had left. “What are you doing here?”
“Mazzie,” Greta’s irritatingly scratchy voice seeped into my ears.
I braced myself for her wrath.
“A customer told me you spilled drinks on him,” Greta said, lips tight.
Asshole, Josh.
“It was my fault, ma’am,” Lucas said. “I collided into her accidentally, which caused her to drop her tray on that guy.”
I think I just fell in love with him.
Greta puffed out her chest, smoothing her fingers over the side of her head, looking as though she might be flirting with Lucas. “You’re that wide receiver from Lakemont.”
The smile Lucas gave her, blinding and cheeky, probably weakened her knees. I knew it did mine. “Yes, ma’am.”
The guy had a swoon factor of a million. I understood why women on campus wanted a piece of Lucas.
“Back to work, Mazzie,” Greta ordered. Then she started talking to Lucas about giving him a discount on drinks.
I hesitated for a beat until I spotted Justine standing in the distance with concern on her face.
I hurried over to her, careful not to drop my tray again.
“What was that all about?” Justine asked.
“Josh showed up at the same time as Lucas, and they nearly got into it. But Lucas saved me from Greta, and now, I think Greta is trying to flirt with Lucas.”
“Then you owe him,” she said, practically giddy.
As much as I might have longed for another night with the wide receiver, I didn’t want to owe him anything. And yet, when he’d helped me with the tray like I mattered, like I was more than just a girl he’d slept with, I’d felt something tighten in my chest.
Because owing Lucas meant letting him get closer, and I wasn’t sure my heart could handle what that might cost me.
9
Lucas
Greta, all drill-sergeant energy, wouldn’t stop talking. I waited for her to take a breath so I could escape, but none came.
She went on about football and plays and discounts for Lakemont students—in particular, football players. I was listening but also searching for Mazzie. But in the sea of heads, I couldn’t find her. Nor did I see Ryker anywhere. He and I had split up to find Mazzie, which was the reason we were at the casino. Bailey had called to ask if I could pick up Mazzie when her shift ended, and I’d jumped at the chance.
Greta finally took a breath. Thank fuck. I figured if spending a few more minutes with Greta meant Mazzie was off the hook, then I would suck it up and listen to Greta’s ramblings.
I sandwiched her hand between both of mine. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I can’t accept your offers. It’s against school policy.” Policy or not, I wouldn’t be gambling in the first place.
On top of that, this seedy joint was making me jittery. After all, a shady place like this had contributed to my father’s addiction.
Her beady eyes popped out of her head. “My daughter goes to Lakemont and all the football games. She texted me that you lost today.”
I didn’t have anything to say about our performance against the Red River Mavericks. I’d caught every pass Ryker had thrown, I hadn’t fumbled, and I’d scored two touchdowns. I’d taken Ryker’s remarks about my previous lackluster performance to heart and kept my mind in the game, not giving the power to my father or to any of the problems I had. Today had been one of those games where the Mavericks were the better team.
I spotted Ryker across the room. “Greta, it was great talking. Again, don’t blame Mazzie for dropping her tray. It was totally my fault.” I would lie forever if it meant that stunning woman who was seeping into my soul one minute at a time wouldn’t lose her job. I’d learned she had to support her family to make ends meet.
