Page 68 of Once Upon A Player
Well, no. It was bad enough when I was simply his mystery lady. But that’sdifferent. Although I’m not sure why…
The other guy, whose name I’ve forgotten, laughs. “Wouldn’t be good for his rep, would it?”
“And what rep is that?” Oh my God, did I say that out loud?
The guy raises his hands in mock surrender. “Hisformerrep. No way is that guy gonna be mad enough to date another girl when he’s got you. Right?”
“Stop being such an arsehole, Mick,” Yolanda says.
“That’s right.” Heath winks at me. “It’s not Lucas you need to worry about. It’s all the girls here tonight whose hearts are breaking because he’s off the market.”
I’ve never thought about it that way before. I’m not sure I like the sound of it.
“They’ll get over it.” Mac rolls her eyes, as though she’s heard this conversation a thousand times before.
Hasshe? Just because I’ve always assumed Lucas is a serial dater and has never had a serious girlfriend, all I’m basing that on is the gossip columns. For all I know, maybe he’s had several long-lasting relationships that he’s managed to keep out of the public gaze.
Maybe what we have together isn’t nearly as special as I think it is.
Stop being so melodramatic.
“Miss me?” Lucas slides his fingers between mine and nuzzles my neck.
I push my churning thoughts to the back of my mind. I’m not going to let a couple of random comments spoil the night. “Yes.”
Mac releases my arm and wriggles between Yolanda and Heath.
“Congrats on your news,” he says to Lucas. “Bet you can’t wait for your first game.”
“You’ve got that right.”
I take another sip of champagne and realize I’ve finished the glass. How did that happen? I don’t even remember drinking it. I need to slow down. It’s hard to concentrate on the conversation, as though I’m fading in and out. But it’s not the alcohol. Well, that’s not theonlyreason.
A couple more guys join our group, and there’s a rowdy disagreement between them, and Mac, Heath, and Mick, about something I totally missed, and Yolanda leans in close to Lucas and me.
“I’m really pleased you two got together.” She nudges Lucas and gives me her friendly smile. She’s so nice, no one would guess she’s a top supermodel. Then again, she’s the only supermodel I’ve ever met. Maybe most of them are as normal as her when they’re away from the cameras. “I was so sure you wouldn’t date him, Violet. Guess I owe you ten quid,” she adds to Lucas.
“Ten quid?” I query when it becomes clear neither of them is going to elaborate.
“It was just a stupid bet.” Lucas shrugs. “Nothing important.”
The made a bet on me?
“Didn’t he tell you? I thought he would’ve.” Yolanda raises her eyebrows. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to put my foot in it. It wasn’t anything awful. I thought it hilarious that you wouldn’t go out with him. I told him you’d turn down the commission. You know, commission, dating, whatever.”
I open my mouth but don’t have a clue what to say, so pretend to clear my throat instead. Should I be furious? Or laugh it off? It’s not like one of his teammates made a bet for Lucas to sleep with me, is it? That’d be gross, but Lucas would never do anything like that, in any case.
This is kind of…I’m not sure exactly.
“I saw a different side to him. That’s why I agreed to date him.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.” Yolanda doesn’tsoundas though she’s mocking me. “The real Lucas Carter isn’t so bad, is he?”
“Standing right here,” Lucas says.
“And you’re loving it,” Yolanda tells him.
“No, he’s not bad at all.” Our gazes mesh, and as always, his blue eyes slay me.I wish we could leave.All I want is for him to hold me tight and tell me everything’s going to be all right, but the boat is booked until two a.m., and I don’t expect the partying will stop then. There’re always nightclubs to hit.
