(TORREN) The heat was suffocating, or maybe that was just the rage simmering beneath my skin.
Either way, it felt like my blood was boiling as sweat trickled down my forehead, stinging my eyes.
I wiped it away with the edge of my wristband and gripped the racket tighter.
With a quick flick of my wrist, I spun the handle a few times before settling into my ready position.
The ball machine’s hum faded into the background.
All I could hear was that goddamn ringtone drilling into my skull.
“Hey, your phone’s ringing again,” Maya called out from behind me.
I shot her a glare, my jaw tightening.
She just shrugged, unfazed.
I refocused, my body coiled, waiting for the next ball.
The machine spit out a clean serve, and I ripped into it with a forehand, sending the ball rocketing into the backcourt with a loud thwack.
“It’s Henry Kane,” she added as I lined up for the next shot.
“I’m done with the Kanes,” I muttered through gritted teeth, letting my frustration explode through another forehand.
The ball hit the net and dropped lifelessly to the ground.
“Funny, considering you’re attending your sister’s wedding in five months.
How do you figure you’re going to be done with them?” she asked, her tone maddeningly reasonable.
I swung again, this time aiming for the corner, feeling a brief flicker of satisfaction as the ball landed exactly where I wanted it.
“By ignoring my fucking phone,” I snapped, the words escaping mid-swing.
“He’s calling again,” she noted.
I let the ball sail past me, deliberately stepping out of its path, and stormed over to where she stood.
Snatching the phone from her outstretched hand, I held it to my ear.
“What?” I barked into the receiver.
“Why are you mad at me?
I didn’t stick my tongue down that guy’s throat,” Henry said.
I closed my eyes, seething.
“That’s not why—” I began, then stopped myself.
Taking a deep breath, I asked, “What do you want?
I’m on the court.” “Has anyone ever told you you’re scary when you get jealous?” “Fuck off,” I retorted, ready to hang up.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding.” Henry laughed.
“I wanted to extend a peace offering.
Come to the club on Friday.
Bring your friends, as many as you want.” I glanced at Maya.
“Is he going to be there?” I asked quietly.
We hadn’t talked about the real reason I was pissed at them.
At him.
“No, he’s not even in the country.
Come on, Torren.
You’re my brother-in-law too.
I didn’t do anything wrong, and you’re taking Theo’s little indiscretion out on all of us,” he argued.
He wasn’t wrong.
I’d canceled on Lex and Henry a couple of times already.
I just didn’t want to run into Theo.
Not yet, anyway.
Sighing, I said, “Fine.
I’m sorry for being a dick.” “It’s okay, T.
Not the first time I’ve dealt with one of Theo’s scorned lovers.” I clenched my jaw.
“We’re not—” I started again.
“Can you stop pretending you’re not interested in my brother?” Henry said over me.
“At least with me?
Because it’s a lost cause.
You’re not convincing anyone.
I’ve watched Theo rope guys in my entire life.
Straight guys.” I sighed.
“You’re not helping.” “Fine.
Text me the names of your friends.
Gotta go.
See you on Friday,” Henry said before hanging up.
Maya looked at me expectantly.
“He wants me to go to one of his clubs on Friday.
You in?” I asked.
I’d never seen her this excited.
*** Two weeks had passed since I last talked to Theo.
He’d spent the first couple of days calling and texting, then silence.
That was that.
He was probably over it and fucking over half the town by now.
I didn’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to meet him in the first place.
Somehow, I’d gotten the impression he was serious about me.
Like I wouldn’t just be another notch on his belt, discarded the next day, leaving me to grapple with the biggest sexual crisis of my life.
Remy was right.
He was too damn charming.
I got swept away, believing he meant everything he said.
I thought the way he looked at me meant something.
I was such a naive idiot.
The worst, most embarrassing part was that it was all me.
Theo had pulled back, and I went after him.
Even though he’d grown bored, just as I’d predicted, I still fell into his trap like a lovesick puppy.
Henry clearly knew about it, making it a million times worse.
Lex probably knew too.
I wasn’t even sure what I was doing.
It wasn’t like I’d go through with it, getting physical with him.
His attention was just so intoxicating.
I got caught up in having him look at me as if I were his equal.
I suppose I should count myself lucky I got out before it was too late.