Page 97 of Lucky Shot
Demi’s hand moves up and down my back again and I decide I don’t need to hide right now. Picking my face up from Demi’s shoulder, I shift in his hold so I can look at Sidney Phelps. I give him a smile that feels oddly shy.
He tilts his head to the side as Demi says, “You’ve met Noah Kain before?”
“Uh… no. I don’t think so.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever had reason to talk,” I say, shrugging. “But hi. Nice to meet you.”
Sidney’s eyes flicker between our faces and then fall to our bodies. The way we’re pressed together. Demi’s hand on my back. When he looks up again, his eyes are slightly narrowed, but he quickly covers whatever he thinks about it behind a smile and offers me his fist. “You too.”
I do the whole dude-bro thing and bump my fist against his. Then he keeps his attention resolutely on Demi. I don’t really detect any kind of hostility or dislike. It’s not even disapproval, I don’t think. He also doesn’t try to get away as fast as possible, as some do when they’ve seen something they don’t like.
It’s after several minutes of conversation between the two of them before Sidney says he’ll catch up later. He claps Demi on his shoulder and turns, giving me a parting wave but doesn’t meet my eyes.
I watch him go. When he disappears into the throng of people, I look at Demi. Did I imagine that?
“That was weird,” he says, and I let out a breath. Nope, didn’t imagine that. “Sorry. I had no idea he’d be so rude.”
“I’m trying to determine whether it’s a me thing, or if he doesn’t like you with someone,” I say.
“He’s straight,” Demi says and I roll my eyes.
“I would wager a bet that there are a whole hell of a lot of men who say they’re straight and have had many thoughts about other men. Even if they don’t understand why.”
He smirks and kisses the side of my head. “Come on. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter right now.”
“Oh!” I say as he pulls me through the crowd, not stopping until we’re on the other side of the forest of people. “Maybe it’s because we’re on different teams? You know, team secrets and all that shit?”
Demi looks at me again and his smile just does things to me. Doeseverythingto me. All the sweet sappy butterflies and warmth in my chest. But it also spreads fire through my veins and blood to my dick.
“That’s a very valid reason. Not one to worry about now. I’ll speak to Sid back home. For now, let’s get through this dinner so we can be alone.”
I nearly whimper. It’s a fucking close call, but I keep the sound lodged in my throat.
Again, he kisses me.
Sidney wasn’t wrong. As soon as we pass the wall of people, the space is definitely breathable. There are still people but there’s also a lot of open areas between tables where no one is around. Thankfully, I can hear my own thoughts again.
I spot Elgin Bolingbrook, one of Max’s friends from Philly. “Come with me?” I ask Demi.
“Anywhere,” he answers, and I fucking swoon.
He doesn’t let me go as I steer us towards Elgin. He’s talking to someone I don’t recognize, but Jakub Bozik is right there too. Elgin smiles when he sees me approaching and must say something to dismiss the other guy because he walks away.
“Hey, Noah,” Elgin says. His smile is nothing but friendly. Even after he takes in the way Demi is holding me and coming to the same conclusion everyone else will tonight.Together.“How you doing, man?”
Demi drops his arm from around me so he can turn to talk to Jakub, but he takes my hand in his as he sits beside the other man.
“I’m good,” I tell Elgin. “Hey, have you heard from Max since the whole video thing?”
Elgin’s smile fades and I know what he’s going to say before he does. Especially since I can read the concern loud and clear. “No. Not a word. And if Coach knows anything, he’s not saying. He hasn’t even been home!”
I scowl. That’s not at all what I wanted to hear. “He never takes so long to answer.”
He nods. “Man, he hasn’t even read the messages. I’m seriously concerned. I’m about ready to call his mother.”
I wince. “I don’t think you should do that but… his agent? Do you know who his agent is?”
Elgin frowns. “No. That would be far too easy.” He rolls his eyes.
