Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Kash smiled down at me, I smiled back at him, and we continued to have our own moment. It was nice. Spending time at a game with my boyfriend and being able to just be with him. The end of the world wasn’t coming. We didn’t have an entire slew of bodyguards around us. There were regular people behind us. By the time the game started, I already knew it was worth it.
Matt made his rounds by the time halftime rolled around.
He moved from his seat, which was made easy because the guys kept leaving for the concession stands. Everyone remained standing the whole time, which also made it easier for Matt to socialize. So, by halftime, Matt was friends with all of the guys—and with some of the girls that were sitting in front of the guys. There were so many people, but I felt it was safe to say that if Matt walked on the Hawking University campus tomorrow, he’d be greeted as if he’d gone there full time for the past four years.
Liam and two of his friends mostly talked with Melissa the whole time. I joined in every now and then, but I was content to watch the game with Kash’s arm around me.
Fitz and Scott watched everyone. They were still there to do their jobs, and only once were they relieved, when Erik showed. He took Fitz’s spot and Fitz disappeared for a moment. He returned and Erik took Scott’s place. When Scott returned, Erik conversed with Kash a moment before leaving again.
If anyone noticed this, no one said a word.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter started that a buzz began in the stands.
Kash’s head was tilted down to mine. His temple was resting against my head. We were both watching the game, but his head had been half bent over mine most the time. It was how he watched the game, and I loved it.
Matt came back to us, his smile frozen. “Busted.”
Kash’s head immediately lifted.
Matt’s eyes darted upward.
Kash looked and swore.
Right there, on the Jumbotron, was an image of Kash and me. I looked frozen in place. Kash looked ready to commit murder.
“We gotta go.”
At his command, Fitz and Scott both stood, leaving for the aisle.
“What’s going on?” Melissa asked.
Kash’s hand was firm on my thigh. He was guiding me from behind to the aisle. He said in my ear, “We’ll go up. We can finish the game in a box. She can come with us if she’d like.”
“What about Liam?”
“Him, too. Five of his friends. No more.”
Scott was craning over us, waiting.
Kash motioned. “Go up.”
Scott nodded, and we began the climb upward.
I relayed what he said to Melissa and Liam. Immediately, both stood. Liam was turning toward his friends, but Kash wasn’t waiting. His hand moved to the small of my back. He was right behind me. “Keep your head down. Don’t make eye contact.”
I did as he said, glad his hand didn’t leave me. A few people called to us. A guy asked for money to save his house. Another guy cursed at us. There were others, but we ignored them all the way up to the main floor.
Once there, Hawking security was waiting for us. One of the guys broke forward to talk with Kash. In that time, Melissa had followed us up. Liam, too. Three of his friends were trailing, and their whole demeanor from before was wiped clean. They were wide-eyed and looking at Kash and me with new interest. Matt seemed more reserved, and he moved next to me. “Since word is out, I’m making different plans now.”
Melissa had heard and frowned. “Like what?”
Jesus.
Those two words, how she said them … we both heard it, Matt and I. And a glance at a stiff Liam? Him, too. Longing. Disappointment. Jealousy.
Melissa was interested in Matt, not Fitz now.
Matt cursed under his breath before saying, almost gently, “I was going to have people over to my place at the Francois Nova. Just a small shindig. But now I’m going to invite a couple more of my friends.”
His gaze swept mine, and his was cautious.
Which told me who he was inviting.
“No.”
He cocked his head back. “Hmm?”
“No.” I was firm. “Not around my friends.”
His mouth twitched. He did not like hearing that. “They’re my friends, too.”
“No.”
Kash returned to my side. “What’s going on?”
Eyes still on Matt, I answered him. “Matt wants to invite Tony and Chester to his party at the Francois, where my friends will be.”
“No.” That was from Kash.
Matt’s nostrils flared. “I’m not remembering the moment when you two birthed me, made you my parents.”
Kash laughed. “That a joke?”
Matt’s eyes turned frosty, but he didn’t repeat it. “I’ll invite Guy, too.”
“He’s not much better around them.”
Matt gave me a dark look. “He’s way better and you know it.”
I had it. “Invite Torie and Tamara. Only then will I allow it.”