Page 24 of The Obvious Check
“Nope. Just wanted to thank you for the tickets.”
“I didn’t giveyouthose tickets.”
“No, but you gave them to Scarlett, didn’t you?”
Does he call her by her stage name outside, or is that for my benefit? I try not to flinch at the mention of her, but his side grin tells me I’ve failed spectacularly. Then, as if I needed more confirmation, he points at me.
“Knew it. The minute you stepped on the ice, you couldn’t stop looking my way. Probably looking for my sweet little Scarlett.”
Mysweet little Scarlett? This guy deserves a hockey stick straight to his teeth.
“Why’d you give them to her?”
I don’t want to answer him, but I also don’t want Savannah to get any blowback from my misguided attraction to her.
“Thought she deserved a night out.” Away from you, I don’t add.
“With you?” His brows rise and he pushes out a laugh. “Did getting beat up by my guys give you a brain injury or something? That’s got to be the only reason you’d think it was a smart move to mess with one of my girls.”
One of my girls.
My fists clench, and I hold myself back from breaking his nose.
I can’t.
I shouldn’t.
I want to, though.
Savannah isn’tone of his girls. She’s not some possession he can add to his collection of broken women. She’s more than that. So much more, and if this piece of garbage has manipulated her into thinking she belongs to him, then I’ve got to help her out.
“How many girls you got right now?”
“Come to the bar and find out,” he says with a smirk. “I could even arrange a little private dance for you and Scarlett. She’s never been in the rooms before, but happy to change that for you.”
My stomach drops. This doesn’t sound like a boyfriend. This sounds like a pimp.
“She’s quite something when she’s up on the stage, isn’t she? Not the best dancer, but what she lacks in skill, she makes up for in those eyes. They’re haunted. Men eat that shit up.” He leans closer. “If you want her, just say the words. You know the rules, though. Look but don’t touch. You remember what happenedto your friend Connor when he messed with my property, don’t you?”
“Connor?” It takes me a minute to realize he’s talking about Coach McKibbon’s second-string son. Terrible hockey player. Even worse person. “Wouldn’t call him a friend, but your point is made.”
“We miss you at the bar, you know? My customers always love watching you beat the shit out of your opponent. Seeing you on the ice today made me realize where you learned it.” He walks past me and slaps me on the shoulder like we’re old pals. “See you soon, Cade.”
I let him walk away, my mind racing over the words and their implications. He offered her up to me like she’s his merchandise. There’s no way in hell a girl would date a guy who spoke about her like that.
Which can only mean there’s something more happening, and even though I should probably mind my own business, I won’t. I’d rather find out what’s going on with Savannah once and for all, even if it means walking straight into the lion’s den.
Chapter 7
My body shakes as I walk into the lecture hall, my bones riddled with guilt. It only intensifies when I see Cade sitting in his usual spot… right next tomyusual spot, and I feel something worse than guilt.
Fear.
I’m going to have to talk to him, but what on earth can I say?
Sorry I couldn’t come. My boss stole my tickets and forced me to work.
It sounds ridiculous and unbelievable, and I don’t want to see the look of disappointment on his face when the only thing he’s ever represented to me is hope. I bite my bottom lip, holding back tears as I feel the weight of letting him down crush through my body. I’ve never cared much for people’s opinions, but his… his means something, even though he might not know it.
