Page 10 of The Love You Fight For
Hearing Sam use my last name just like everyone else is a bit of a slap to the face. I’d gotten used to her calling me by my first name, and even though I know I shouldn’t, I comment on it. I can’t help it.
“So I’mCasper, again? What happened to Chris or Christopher?”
She shrugs casually, then gives me a fake, serene smile.
“Is there something wrong with that? I thought your first name required a level of familiarity. Last I heard,Christopherwas reserved for family members and significant others.”
She flicks her eyes to her free hand, making a show of checking her nails.
“How would Sheena feel if I took such an act of audacious liberty?”
She pins me with a dead stare, and it’s her only tell. Thelackof tells. That’s what gives her away, and it fucking thrills me. I smirk.
“You mean Sable,” I correct, just to piss her off.
She rolls her eyes and waves her hand in the air as if Sable’s name doesn’t matter. Sam has no idea how spot-on she is, but I’m enjoying her act. I could tell her Sable and I broke up, but why would I? I like having the upper hand right now. It doesn’t happen often with the princess. She likes to play with her food, but this time, I’m not on the menu.
I fold my arms across my chest once more and nod.
“Lennon and Macon are in back,” I confirm.
I don’t miss the way Sam’s eyes flick to my biceps. I’ve added more ink to my sleeves since I saw her last. She stands from the stool and turns to leave with the pint of beer in one hand and her clutch in the other.
“Be careful, princess,” I call out. “This floor tends to get sticky on Friday nights. Wouldn’t want to ruin those red bottoms.”
She pauses and glances over her shoulder at me, brow arched.
“What do you know about red bottoms?”
I snag a cherry from the garnish tray and toss it in my mouth then speak to her while chewing.
“I’m a multifaceted guy, Sam. My knowledge is vast and plentiful. You’d be surprised at what all I know.”
Her crimson lips curve up on the side, then she rolls her eyes and turns back around without another word. Despite my better judgment, I watch her leave. The bar crowd parts once again for her, like she’s something biblical and prophesied, and my eyes don’t move from her pert ass encased in those skin-tight designer dress pants until she’s past the pool tables and out of my sight.
“How someone so fucking hot can be so fucking cold, I’ll never know,” Benny says, and I turn to find him leaning on the bar across from me, staring in the same direction I just was. “It’s a damn shame.”
I grab a pint glass and pour him a draft.
“I didn’t see you standing there.” I slide the beer in front of him.
He snorts a laugh. “You had better things to catch your attention.”
If only that were true.
THREE
Lennon waves as soonas she sees me, and it’s like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my chest.
I want to put on sweats, kick off my heels, and pull my hair up into a messy bun, but I’ll have to save that for after I’m out of the public eye. I return her smile as I slide into the booth next to her, nodding a hello in Macon’s direction just before Lennon throws her arms around me and tugs me into a hug.
I melt into her instantly. God, I want to cry. I’ve missed my best friend.
I’ve had a shit day—a shit few months, really—and having to see Chris at the bar has only exacerbated my anxious mood. I can’t help but flit my eyes around the crowd in search ofher. That’s the last thing I need. To have to deal with my father, Ashton Cartwright, and Chris Casper’s bitchy, smug, pain-in-the-ass girlfriend all in one day.
“I’m so glad you came down,” Lennon says into my hair before ending the hug. “I’ve missed your face.”
“You video chat almost every day,” Macon drawls, and when I flick my eyes toward him, he’s smirking over the top of his soda glass while chewing on a stick of licorice.
