Текст книги "Rage"

Автор книги: Elizabeth Reyes

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

Chapter 16

AJ

Since the day Clair first mentioned overhearing Addison talking to her dad, AJ had casually asked her a few times if she had again. It’d been over a month now, and each time, to his relief, she’d said no.

The fact that Addison had now let her parents in on their relationship made accepting the fact that she might still be in touch with her ex occasionally a little easier. He didn’t like it, and he certainly didn’t like her keeping anything from him, especially something like this. But for Clair’s sake and because of Addison’s obvious abhorrence of the guy, it made her keeping in touch with him less maddening.

Clair was right. Addison was also one of the smartest people he’d ever met. If she was, in fact, still talking to him on occasion, she probably had good reason. Whether or not this guy had never wanted anything to do with Clair, the guy was still her father. He did have rights. It worried AJ to think maybe after all these years he’d changed his mind about wanting to be in her life. From the short description of the chat Clair had overheard her mother having with this guy, it sounded like he was trying to convince Addison that Clair might need him in her life after all.

It was as alarming as it was frustrating. He hated to think this guy might start harassing Addison. Maybe it was her reason for staying in touch and not just telling him to go to hell: to avoid the guy getting spiteful. She had mentioned on more than one occasion that she’d do anything to protect Clair. Her reasoning for not wanting anyone to know the identity of Clair’s dad seemed mostly out of pride. But it did make sense that, just like she still wasn’t ready to tell Clair about their relationship, whatever she might be keeping from everyone could be to protect Clair as well. Protect her little heart from her deadbeat dad possibly blowing into Clair’s life and getting her all excited about finally having a daddy, only to have him change his mind and disappear on them again.

AJ hadn’t even considered something until just then. The idea of Clair’s dad blowing into their lives again terrified him now, not just because he’d hate to have to deal with him in Addison’s life again, but because, like with Addison, AJ’s heart had since claimed little Clair too. He had often daydreamed now of how nice it would be when they were finally a family for all the world to see. Clair would someday be his stepdaughter, only he’d never use the word step when introducing her to anyone. Not once had it occurred to him that he might have to feel possessive about Clair. But he sure as hell did. He’d be damned if he’d stand around and have some deadbeat asshole who never wanted anything to do with her show up one day and make any claims on his little buddy. AJ hadn’t thought it possible that he could hate the idea of Addison still talking to her ex more than he already did, but damn it, this just shot it up a few major notches.

It’d been a long hot day, and they’d had double header in Houston, coupled with an extended evening of lovemaking. Now that Addison’s parents knew about the relationship, they were doing their part to give them more time together. Addison’s uncle and aunt lived in Houston, and they’d brought their granddaughters to the second game. Then they’d taken the kids to another Galaxy Pizza-type restaurant. Addison had opted out, using her work again as an excuse for needing to get back to the hotel. As usual, she’d been nervous about Clair going to a restaurant she wasn’t familiar with because of her food allergies.

She’d checked and double-checked with her parents and Clair that they had an extra EpiPen handy just in case. She’d even called the restaurant ahead of time and spoken with the manager to make sure they didn’t use peanut oil and few other things Clair was allergic to.

After their first round of fabulously exhausting lovemaking, when they were both lying there still basking in the glow and catching their breath, she’d practically jumped off the bed when her phone rang. Later she’d texted her parents several times to make sure Clair was still okay. So when AJ woke to an empty bed, it didn’t surprise him to hear her in the other room on the phone.

He sat up, smiling when he looked down at his ready-to-go cock, despite how spent they’d both been when they passed out earlier. The instant recall of what had them so spent had everything to do with the further rise of what was already at attention.

AJ got off the bed, anxious to be near Addison again, but at the same time slightly concerned that everything might not be okay with Clair. He picked up his own phone to check for any missed messages as he sauntered out into the front room of his suite.

Addison’s anxious whispered words, “Because I can’t talk to you right now,” had only begun to register when he did a double take at the text message from Nathan.

We’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Isaiah was rushed to the hospital. He’s in the ICU. We’re all at the hospital now. Call me ASAP.

His heart was pounding instantly as he quickly scrolled through his other messages from both his sisters. All they knew was that his brother had been out on a call at work—a fire—when the roof of the structure caved in and Isaiah was caught in it. That news only furthered the panic of what he was already feeling.

Rushing back into the bedroom to start packing his bag, he hit speed dial. “How is he?” he asked as soon as Nathan answered.

“We don’t know anything yet,” Nathan said, but he was clearly as anxious as AJ felt. “The captain said he was one of the guys on the roof when it caved in. It took them a few minutes to get in, find them under the rubble, and pull them out. He was unconscious when they found him.”

Addison set foot in the room just as AJ pulled his pants on with Nathan still on the phone. She watched, the alarm in her eyes growing, as he rushed to put the rest of his clothes on, still getting information from Nathan.

“I gotta go,” he said as soon as he was off the phone. “I won’t make tomorrow’s game. Isaiah was hurt on the job. He was rushed to the ER. I don’t know if he’s gonna be okay. I gotta go home. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be” was her immediate response as she brought her hands to her face.

He was still rushing around the room, his heart going a mile a minute as he threw his things in a bag, the dread of his brother not being okay building with each moment. “Fuck!” he muttered as he zipped the bag. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

Flinching at Addison’s unexpected touch, he turned to face her, wrapping his arms around her the moment she caressed his face, and burying his face in her neck. She hugged him tight, surprising him with her words. “I’m coming with you,” she whispered in his ear. “It’s gonna be okay.”

He inhaled deeply, even more surprised at the emotion he felt just from her touch. “He’s gotta be okay.”

“He will be,” she assured him. “Think positive, okay?”

AJ nodded, pulling away to look at her. “What about Clair? What are you telling her?”

“The truth,” she said with a weak smile. “That you have a family emergency and I’m coming with you for support.” She smiled a little bigger. “I think she’ll be glad I’m going with you. She knows how close you are to your siblings.”

He wrapped his arms around her again, amazed at how just holding her could bring him such comfort. Her coming with him would absolutely make the nerve-wracking trip so much better. The reality sunk in just then. Addison and Clair had slowly seeped into his heart and soul in a way no one ever had. Everything in his life seemed so much brighter now with them in it. Addison had a way of making him feel calm even at a moment like this. He needed her in his life now. It was as frightening a thought as it should’ve been exhilarating. Only it wasn’t quite so because of the emotion he was feeling about his brother being hurt. Still he breathed in even deeper, so glad she’d be there with him.

“I love you,” he whispered in her ear, and she didn’t go still like he thought she might the second the words slipped out.

Instead, she hugged him tighter. “I love you, too,” she said without hesitation.

He pulled back to look at her, and she stared into his eyes. Declaring their love for one another should’ve been so much more thrilling. AJ would’ve planned the first time he ever said it to any girl, if his telling her hadn’t been so unexpected.

“If it weren’t for the circumstances, I’d be making love to you already,” he said with a smile that felt as bittersweet as that moment did. “I’d tell you over and over just how in love I am with you while I did it too.”

She smiled, touching his face again. “I’ve always known, even before I met you, AJ, I could easily fall in love with you. That thing everyone calls rage, I always called passion. I love your passion. It’s undeniable in everything about you: your love for the game, your family . . . me.”

“You and Clair,” he whispered, taking her hand and kissing her fingers. “I think I fell in love with that little girl the moment I met her. She’s something else, and when I met her mother, I knew why. You’re amazing—”

His phone dinging broke their moment, and he moved away from her, rushing to pick it up. It was another text from Nathan.

He’s got a neck injury, but they don’t know the extent yet because he’s still unconscious. His leg is broken in a few places, but that’s all we know for sure. Could be a spinal cord injury.

“Fuck,” AJ whispered, feeling something grip his wind pipe. “Possible spinal cord injury?”

“Positive thoughts, Andrés,” Addison said, kissing his arm, then hurried around the bed to get her things together.

~~~

When they reached the hospital, they were told Isaiah had finally woken up but he’d complained of neck and back ache so they gave him morphine. By the time AJ was able to go in and see him, he was out again.

“What did they say about his spine?” AJ asked as he stared at his big brother looking so helpless in a neck brace and tubes all over.

“Well, the fact that he was in pain is actually a good thing,” Nathan informed him. “He can feel his legs. Mostly the pain is in his broken one.” Nathan shook his head. “I don’t know, man. This could be it for him.”

AJ jerked his head up to gape at Nathan, the fear searing through him as Addison squeezed his hand gently. “What do you mean?”

“I mean this may do it,” Nathan explained. “His knee was already giving him shit ever since that last injury. They had him on light duty for months and he hated it, remember? He said if he were ever put on permanent light duty, he’d quit. This may just do that.”

“Good,” AJ said as the blissful relief replaced the brutal fear that had just shot through him. But it was fleeting. Instantly, he felt the familiar heat chase the bliss away. “I’ve told both of you there’s no need to continue putting yourselves in this kind of danger. I hope to God this does mean permanent light duty so his stubborn ass will finally quit. I just hope it doesn’t take something like this for you to finally listen too.”

Nathan shrugged with a frown as Liv and Emi entered the room. They hadn’t been there when AJ arrived, and both wrapped their arms around him, bringing back the emotion he’d been so overcome with back at the hotel.

“We were so scared,” Emi said, a bit teary-eyed.

Livi nodded, wiping tears away from the corner of her eyes. “I heard about it on the news,” she said, taking a deep breath. “When they said several firefighters had been injured and what area they’d been in, I thought I might pass out.”

“He’s gonna be fine,” Nathan said, rubbing her back. “You should go home, Liv. We’ll keep you posted. Being around here all tense and stressed can’t be good for you in your condition.”

Livi rubbed her big belly. “Yeah, we’re leaving soon. I don’t want to impose too long on Rosie. She’s watching Enzo for us.” She turned to AJ. “Romero and Uncle Manny are here again. They were here the moment they heard about it. And the Morenos have come by too. But Romero, Manny, and Max left once they cleared Isaiah of any spinal injuries and he fell back asleep.”

Since it appeared Isaiah would be out for a while, they all stepped out to walk Livi out and talk to their cousin and uncle. The waiting room was abuzz with family members and firefighters still in uniform, all there waiting to hear more about Isaiah and their other fallen comrades.

Manny looked to be wiping tears away as he spoke to Lorenzo. “I tell you ever since these kids moved out here from Dallas it’s felt like they’re my kids. God damn scare this one gave us today.”

AJ swallowed back the emotion as he greeted his cousin and uncle. The family had had their share of tragedies already, but this one had hit AJ harder than any of the others. Ever since his parents had divorced when he was still just a kid, Isaiah had stepped up as the man of the house, and AJ felt an extra-special bond with him. He was their rock. When his mother passed away so suddenly,  Isaiah kept it together for all of them. Then when their dad passed, he was the one that got it all together for them and moved them all to California.

Looking back now, the pressure to keep the family together and assure them everything would be fine must’ve been huge for such a young guy. Even now that things were all good—his sisters were happily married and money was no longer an issue—AJ had no idea what they’d do without Isaiah. He didn’t even want to think about it.

Nathan explained to them what they knew so far then mentioned what he’d told AJ in the room about how maybe this was it for Isaiah. AJ pecked Addison when she excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.

“Well, maybe this was a blessing then,” Manny said, raising his voice. “It probably is better if he quits before something worse happens. If anything, you twos are gonna give me fucking heart attack one of these days. Every God damn time I see something on the news about a fire—”

“Hey, man!” Romero said, motioning his hand downward. “Bring it down a notch. We’re in a hospital.”

Uncle Manny continued in a slightly lowered voice that only got louder again with each word about how his heart wasn’t able to take too much more of this shit.

“Alright, Drama, relax,” Romero said with a soured face then turned back to Nathan. “Didn’t he used to do security before he got into the academy?”

“Yeah,” Nathan said. “He was a bouncer at a few different clubs in Dallas.”

“And he’s way bigger now that he was then, right?” Romero said with a gleam in his eyes, as both AJ and Nathan nodded. “There you go. Worst-case scenario he can come work for me.”

“Hell no,” AJ protested immediately. “He ain’t going from fighting fires to putting his life in danger protecting someone else. No offense, but I got a much safer job for him, handling all my publicity and merchandising shit. That’s a full-time job right there.”

“Your brother just said Isaiah would rather quit than sit at some desk, paper pushing.”

“It’s not just paper pushing,” AJ began to argue but was distracted at the sight of Addison plodding back from the ladies’ room then stopping to finish the conversation she was having on the phone.

Romero continued explaining how most of the jobs he had were harmless, something about his clients being more high-end now. AJ only caught bits and pieces of Romero’s attempt to sway him about his security position for Isaiah.

Addison had since turned around and walked away from them again. The memory of the conversation she’d been having just when he got the text about Isaiah suddenly came to him. With the scare he’d had, AJ had forgotten all about it.

Taking a deep breath, AJ shoved away the thoughts the old AJ had already begun having. He replaced the initial thought of who the fuck is she talking to that she can’t do it in front of me with there’s probably a reasonable explanation.

There was no reason why he shouldn’t remain calm, even in the wake of his remembering the call she’d been on back at the hotel room. His face must’ve said otherwise because, when he turned to face Romero again, Romero must have mistaken his frown to be in reaction to whatever he’d just said.

“I’m just saying,” Romero said, shaking his head, “it’s something to think about. It really isn’t as bad a gig as you’re thinking.”

“It’d be safer; that’s for sure,” Manny added, holding a hand to his chest.

Addison’s giggling got all their attention, and they all turned in time to see her hurry even further away.

“I’ll be back,” AJ said, feeling new tension cramp his every muscle.

Chapter 17

Addison

Addison felt the smile on her face flatten the moment she saw AJ’s dark expression as he turned the corner and came face to face with her. “I’ll call you to say goodnight in a bit, okay?”

She hung up and started toward AJ, meeting him halfway down the long corridor. “Is Clair okay?” he asked, staring at her.

“She’s fine.” Addison smiled, slipping her hand into his as soon as she was close enough. “That was her, actually. Sorry I took so long you had to come searching for me. But you know Clair. She was telling me all about her evening with her cousins. Sometimes I forget how young her little heart is since she expresses herself so beyond her years. It’s so refreshing when I hear how excited she is about something a little girl her age should be excited about. Like how well she did on the whack-a-mole machine. Poor thing is so uncoordinated like her mother that she’s never done well with physical challenges. Her very animated blow-by-blow had me cracking up.”

“No worries and you didn’t have to get off the phone with her,” AJ said, stepping in front of her and stopping in the middle of the hallway. He cradled her face, staring deep in her eyes. “I just wanted to make sure she was okay. I know how worried you’ve been.”

He kissed her gently, softly, making her close her eyes and sigh against his lips when he was done. “That call you were on,” he said as her eyes opened and stared into his, “back at the hotel room, just when I got the text from Nathan about Isaiah. Who were you talking to?”

Addison blinked a few times, not wanting him to notice the anxiety she was suddenly feeling. She hadn’t realized AJ had heard her on the phone and wondered just how much he’d overheard. “My co-worker,” she said, chiding her spiked heartbeat when she saw his eyes narrow.

“Your co-worker?”

“Yeah, subordinate actually,” she said, hoping he didn’t notice how deeply she inhaled. “He had questions about a project we’ve been working on.”

“He?” AJ’s brows narrowed further. “You told him you couldn’t talk to him right then. Why?”

Addison gulped in an effort to keep her composure, remembering his attitude when it came to Kelli. She understood his not liking shady women, but did he really expect Addison to explain every one of her phone conversations? Some parts of her life she was determined would forever be private. As hard as she tried, she wasn’t able to keep her own brow from rising. “Because I didn’t have my laptop or any of the information he wanted to discuss.”

AJ searched her eyes silently for a little too long. “What’s his name?”

“Alfred” she said without a flinch but placed her hand over his tense one that still cradled her face when she saw the familiar flare-up in his eyes. She understood he was a passionate man, and she’d already been witness to his jealous side, but she needed to get this straight now. “Baby, I have a lot of male co-workers and subordinates. Because my job requires me to be on the phone a lot, you’ll often hear me on the phone with them. I’m just warning you now. I don’t want this to be an issue, moving forward.”

The warning did just the opposite of what she meant for it to do. It seemed to fan the flames because his expression hardened further, though his words said otherwise.

“I’ll never have an issue with you needing to talk business with your male co-workers, as long as that’s all it is.” He paused as if to really drive that last part in, the suspicion in his eyes ever present. “It just didn’t sound that way in the hotel. You sounded nervous, almost anxious.”

“I was,” she admitted. “You were sound asleep, so I was trying to get off the call before I woke you.”

His expression finally eased up, and he glanced down at her lips then even lower to her neck area with a sudden smirk. “You ever wear that to work?”

Addison glanced down at the necklace with her initials. “Sometimes.” She touched it, remembering how embarrassed she’d been when he thought maybe she’d worn it for his sake.

“Do me a favor.” He leaned his forehead against hers in a final show of ease.

“What’s that?”

“Tell them they’re your boyfriend’s initials.”

Addison laughed softly, tilting her head, but glad he was feeling well enough now to be playful.

“What?” He smiled. “Technically, you’re not lying.”

“If it’ll make your eyes twinkle like they are now versus that other fire I saw in them earlier, I will.”

“Good,” he said, kissing her one more time, then got out of her way, slipping his hand into hers as they started back toward the crowded ICU waiting room.

~*~

AJ

The day they’d all sat in the ICU waiting room, chatting while they waited for more updates on Isaiah’s condition, Nathan had mentioned he was done with Kelli. So seeing him arrive tonight arm in arm with her to the ESPY awards was beyond irritating. AJ would have to do his best to not be rude, but he’d barely managed a smile when his eyes met Nathan from across the pre-show cocktail party.

As expected, Isaiah, too, was being a stubborn ass. Thankfully, they’d cleared him of any spinal cord and head injuries. Another thing AJ was thankful for was that Isaiah’s broken leg was keeping him from going back to work. If it wasn’t for that, AJ was sure he’d already be back. Nathan had filled AJ in on how crazy being home all day was making Isaiah. AJ hadn’t even expected him to make the ESPY awards tonight, given how he’d just been in the ICU two weeks ago. His pig-headed brother refused to even use a wheel chair for tonight’s event. Instead, here he was on crutches, wearing a full tux that had to be altered to accommodate the splint on his leg. The guy had even brought a date, and if AJ didn’t know any better, that broken limb would not be stopping Isaiah from any physical activities he and his date might engage in later tonight. The doctors had warned Isaiah to limit any kind of activity and stay off his leg as much as possible.

It was as infuriating as Nathan still being in that ridiculous relationship. The last thing Nathan had told AJ about it was that she was still dealing with her business woes and needed to concentrate on that. But accompanying Nathan to a star-studded evening at the ESPYs she could do?

“They are both grown men,” Addison whispered, squeezing his hand as she brought her champagne flute to her lips. “I know it’s hard for you, but whatever it is you’re thinking, keep it to yourself.”

She took a sip of her champagne and smiled as Nathan and Kelli approached them, still far enough away that AJ was sure they couldn’t hear him.

“You heard him at the hospital. He said he was done with her. What the fuck—?”

“Ah,” Addison said, tugging his hand when Isaiah and his date Lola rejoined them.

“Dude,” AJ turned to Isaiah, who was setting one crutch aside so he could take his drink from Lola but was apparently going to stand there with them on one. “You need to get off that leg.”

“All I do at home is sit on my ass and lie around.”

“It’s what you’re supposed to be doing,” Liv said as she and her husband Lorenzo arrived, followed by Emi and Sydney. “It’s only been two weeks, Sai. You’re still recovering.”

“Thank you,” AJ said as he leaned in to kiss his sister hello. “You look beautiful.”

He said the same to Emi as they did their rounds, saying hello to everyone.

“Yeah, well two weeks is long enough,” Isaiah said. “I’m over it. The minute this thing is off, I’m heading back to work. I hate feeling like an invalid.”

The bitterness in Isaiah’s tone was the same as it’d been every time AJ had spoken to him on the phone in the past two weeks. As much as AJ disapproved of his brother being here on his leg, instead of at home relaxing, AJ had hoped the night out would at least lighten him up a bit. Earlier it’d appeared as if Isaiah were having a good enough time. Suddenly, he was looking as somber as he did at home when he was complaining about being bored as shit. Even his beautiful date didn’t seem to be doing the trick.

“My dad’s calling me over,” Addison leaned into him. “You stay here and hang out with your brothers and sisters. I won’t be long. He just wants me to say hello to his old managers and their wives. I haven’t seen them in years.”

AJ nodded, glancing at Coach Lara, his wife, and the older couples they were mingling with. Addison kissed him softly before walking away. He watched as she strolled over slowly, holding her long gown in front of her. As tall as she was, she could easily be a model. She turned and smiled at him, making the irritation he’d been feeling melt away with just one smile. Damn, she was beautiful.

By the time he brought his attention back to his circle, it’d gotten even bigger. Nathan and Kelli were already there. They’d also been joined by Sabian and his date. AJ said hello to all of them, including Kelli. He had to wonder if she realized how much he disliked her. Her pathetic little smile almost made him feel bad. Almost.

Everyone was glued to Isaiah’s words as he answered Sabian’s questions about the accident. Some of the other guys from the team joined them now too, and they had more questions. AJ figured his tight-lipped answers when he’d gotten back to work after Isaiah was cleared of any life-threatening or even critical injuries hadn’t been enough for the inquisitive bunch. Somehow the fact that it was AJ’s brother who’d been injured had gotten back to the media, so the story had made national headlines, not just the local news. Of course, seeing him here so soon after the accident had everyone surprised and curious. They were gaining quite the crowd.

AJ was done hearing about the accident. Every time he heard the story it only made him angrier—angry that his brothers would see fit to put themselves in such danger when it was so unnecessary. Instead of focusing on Isaiah like everyone else was, he peered at Kelli casually as he sipped his drink.

He was curious what else besides her obvious good looks Nathan could be so hung up on that he’d continue to put up with her wishy-washy ass. She, too, appeared to be completely engrossed in Isaiah’s story. Her brows furrowed when Isaiah got to the part about the roof giving way and the blazing hell hole he’d falling into. Her hand even came over her mouth. AJ, too, felt his jaw clench, hearing this part again. It could’ve been so much worse.

“I nearly crashed the next morning when I heard about it on the radio in my car,” Lola said, and AJ had begun to turn to her but was curiously caught by the sudden glare on Kelli’s face. “They announced the names of the fallen firefighters, and, oh my God,” Lola continued, clutching her chest now that AJ had turned to her, “I wanted to die. I hadn’t met his siblings yet. None of them knew he and I were seeing each other, so no one called me.” Lola leaned her head gently against Isaiah’s shoulder. “It was terrible finding out that way.”

“We have your number now, Lola,” Liv said in a reassuring tone. “You’ll be the first we call after the rest of our siblings, if, God forbid, anything ever happens to him again.”

AJ had begun to frown at that last comment when he caught Isaiah’s strange glare. He followed it to see what his brother was glaring at. He turned to see Kelli whisper something in Nathan’s ear then walk away abruptly.

“Is she leaving?” AJ asked, incredulous, wondering if she was pulling the same stunt as last time.

“No, ladies’ room,” Nathan said, not even trying to hide the annoyance with AJ’s immediate inquiry, and no doubt because AJ hadn’t been able to tone the tenor down.

Emi beat AJ to the punch, asking the very thing he was thinking. “I thought you two broke things off.” Like AJ, his little sister didn’t seem too fond of Kelli either.

“We did, but we’re still friends,” Nathan said, taking a swig of his beer and glancing away.

AJ might’ve smirked, knowing his brother was biting his tongue and not adding anything more smart-mouthed to his response because of everyone there. But he was still feeling too irritated by the fact that his brother actually brought Kelli tonight.

Without reacting to Nathan’s curt responses, AJ turned back to his other brother curiously. The guys had already begun another conversation regarding the impending playoffs. AJ frowned at the still somber-looking Isaiah, who was zoned out, staring out into the crowd. Doing a quick glance out in the general direction of where Isaiah was staring, he saw Kelli, who, like Addison and his sisters, wore a formal gown and high heels. She was still making her way toward the ladies’ room slowly—cautiously.

One glance back at Isaiah, and AJ could see now his brother wasn’t zoned out; he was staring at Kelli. AJ had begun to glance back in Kelli’s direction but had to do a double take when he saw Addison striding back toward him. Just like that, any tension he’d begun to feel about his brother’s mood drained as their eyes met and she smiled sweetly. Then a guy in a suit stepped right in front of her, startling her, and making her stop in her tracks. Instantly, AJ was standing straighter—bigger. From behind, AJ couldn’t see who it was, only that he wore a tux like everybody else and was big like most of the other athletes there.

The guy was so close to her. Seeing her actually take a step back looking annoyed had AJ handing Nathan his cocktail glass. That familiar blaze inside him, the one he’d felt all too often in his life, was already roaring, and suddenly nothing mattered: Not that they were in a fancy banquet room with lots of cameras, a place where he should be all the more mindful of his behavior. Or that her parents were only a few feet away from Addison and this asshole. Not that his non-response to Nathan’s question when he asked him where he was going was sure to raise brows with all his siblings since he’d charged away from them with a purpose.