Page 69 of Once Upon A Player
“Luuuucas!”The shrill female voice blasts through me, and I blink, disorientated, as three stunningly beautiful girls throw themselves at him like a trio of leeches.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lucas
“Hey, Penelope.” I avert my face just in time to prevent our lips smashing together, and she sucks my cheek instead. Nice.
“Darling, it’s beenso long.” She pouts and wipes my cheek with her thumb. “We haven’t seen you around forages.”
“We were afraid you’d turned into a recluse,” Khloe adds before she gives me exaggerated air kisses.
“And now you’re off to Spain.” Ariel sighs before brushing her cheek against mine.
Jesus Christ, did Jax invite them? I’ll fucking kill him.
You should’ve told him Violet was special.How was he to know meeting up with three of my exesat the same timeis the last thing I want? Especially when it’s never bothered me before.
Why would it? None of the hookups were ever serious, on either side.
I tug Violet a little closer. It’s never been a problem in the past introducing a current girlfriend to a previous one. Half the time the girls knew each other already, so the situation was never an issue. I wait until they’ve finished hugging Yolanda.
“Violet.” Fuck, this is harder than I thought. “These are old friends of mine.”
“Not so much of theold.” Khloe smiles at Violet. “So, who areyou?”
Violet stares at her as though she’s lost her mind. “I’m Violet.”
“Are you an actress?” Ariel peers at her intently. “I kind of recognize your hair. Iloveyour hair. Is it natural?”
“I’m at college. And yes, I’m a natural redhead. Although I’ve always wanted to be a blonde.”
Ariel pats her long blond hair. “Me, too. That’s why I go to the salon every six weeks.”
I exhale a relieved breath. This isn’t going badly after all.
“ButSpain.” Penelope brushes nonexistent fluff from my shoulder. “I’ll never see you again.”
“God, Pene.” Khloe rolls her eyes. “It’s not that far. He’ll still haveparties.”
“I hope all your Madrid teammates will be there.” Ariel grins at Violet. “They’re seriouslyhot.”
“Sure, everyone’s invited.” Partying isn’t the first thing on my mind for when Violet and I move to Madrid, but it’ll be a great way for her to meet my new teammates. “It’s only a couple of hours on a plane. That’s not a problem for anyone, is it?”
I shoot Violet a smile, which she doesn’t return. I lean in close. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I don’t think she is, but what’s her problem? Even if she’s guessed I used to date these girls, she also knows I’ve never been serious about anyone but her.
Have I ever told her that, though?Shit, I haven’t.
“Not a problem for me,” Pene says, and it takes a second for me to remember what the hell she’s talking about. “I can fly out any weekend if you give me enough notice.”
“Ooh, there’s Jax.” Ariel waves over my head before grabbing Khloe’s arm. “Come on, girls. Lovely to meet you, Violet.” She swoops in to give Violet a couple of air kisses before disappearing with Khloe.
Pene squeezes my arm. “Don’t be stranger, you bad boy.” She kisses my cheek and gives Violet a weirdly restrained smile before following the others.
“You bad, bad boy.” Yolanda snorts with laughter. “What did youdoto that poor girl, Lucas?”
