Page 118 of Timelessly Ours
“No, you won’t!” That comes from me.
She turns a hard glare in my direction. “Excuse me?”
I push Royce away so I can face my own opponent. “My boyfriend made it very clear that he doesn’t want to speak to you. And while we’re at it, stop barging into his house and move on.”
Claire scoffs and looks at me like I’m some joke. “Is there anything else?”
I cross my arms. “Yes. I think you owe me an apology.”
Okay, that one might be extra.
She laughs and I honestly think it’s real when she wipes at the corner of her eye. “Good one.” She turns to walk away again.
There’s a distinct difference between Royce and Coach. Because the man squeezing my shoulders behind me is not the man who takes me to bed. He’s the man who gives his team hell on the ice at practice. He's the man I hear behind me when he growls at his ex.
“Claire!”
She twists and stares back at him. I can’t see his expression behind me or the warning he might be giving her.
But when her fearful eyes travel to Angel, my heart stops.
He wouldn’t.
She swallows. “I—I’m sorry, Nicole. You look lovely. Enjoy your evening.” With that, she walks off, disappearing through a crowd of people.
I turn slowly, my eyes blazing. “You didn’t have to do that,” I hiss.
He lifts his gaze to his daughter. We both watch as Jace leads a stunned Angel away and toward our table.
Nick lightly nudges my arm. “You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah—” I sigh. “No. Do you think Angel is mad at me?”
“No.” They both say simultaneously.
“But I’ll go make sure,” Nick reassures, probably picking up on the tension between his coach and me.
Royce pulls me aside and grips my hands. “I had to. She was out of line. And I don’t think that was about you.”
I snatch my hands away. “Fine. But please let me deal with her myself next time?”
He smirks. “Deal. I’m going to love watching you fight for me.” Then…he bends down and kisses me. Right here in the ballroom. “Girlfriend.”
31
It’s been ten days since the gala and as promised, Claire has stayed away. There’s been no sound of her. Even Angel claims to have not spoken to her mother.
My friend has been fairly quiet about the whole thing and my guess is she was mortified and shocked.
I don’t know how to tell her that I’d never make her choose between us.
Claire will always be her mother.
And as long as she’ll have me, I’ll always be her best friend.
“Uno!” Rory cries gleefully. “Nicky, it’s your turn.”
“Hmm? Oh right.” I jerk back to life and press my cards to my chest. “Did you peek?”
