“Yep. The whole team is here celebrating their win. I thought they were going to go to Haven, but apparently that’s out for now… Change of scenery, Knox said.”
I sigh.
“Oh.” Her voice pitches lower. “Knox is talking to Greyson.”
“Stop it.”
“Well, I don’t know what he’s saying.” She breaks into more giggles—of the nervous variety. “You don’t think he’s going to send Greyson to get you, do you? That would be…”
“Terrible,” I finish. “I hope not.”
But I don’t have to worry. An hour later, it isn’t Greyson who comes to get me—it’s Steele.
13
GREYSON
“What do you mean, someone broke into her apartment?” I glare at Knox. On one hand, I shouldn’t fucking care. But that persistent side of me that wants to claim her—publicly—rears its ugly head again.
He lifts one shoulder. “She called and seemed pretty upset. She wanted Willow to find somewhere else to stay…”
“Because her being alone in that apartment is a good idea.” Sarcasm is my default when I’m trying to hide my real feelings. It’s not a great sign that it’s choosing to come out now.
“Listen, man. Steele offered to go pick her up and bring her here. It isn’t ideal, seeing as how we’re in party mode…” He gestures to the beer bottle in my hand. “But whatever. She can hang out in one of the rooms upstairs if she wants.”
Violet didn’t call the police.
Which probably means she thinks I’m behind it.
I frown and shake my head. Then the first part registers. Steele went to get her? Steele offered?
I didn’t think I’d have to knock his teeth in, but I will if I have to. Happily.
Jesus, when the fuck did I get like this? All twisted up on the inside?
“When did he leave?” I bark.
Knox shrugs, but there’s something else there. A glimmer of triumph.
“You ass,” I groan. “You did it on purpose? Because of the bet.”
He snickers. “I can’t give you a leg up in this competition.”
No doubt he doesn’t care that Violet sucked Steele off at the stadium. If Steele opened his mouth anyway. I push my bottle into his hand and storm toward the door. I don’t really care what Steele wants—I need control over this situation.
I need to kick the shit out of Steele and remind him that there’s only one reason why Violet went down on her knees for him. Because I allowed it.
I get as far as the foyer, and then the front door opens, and Steele and Violet enter. She looks around and finds me almost immediately, then her gaze shifts away. Black leggings, and white sneakers. Under her unzipped coat, she wears an oversized blue Hawks shirt that hides her curves. Her hair is damp and braided, hanging over her shoulder. Not a speck of makeup, and definitely no hint of what happened between us not too long ago.
“You can stay in my room if you don’t want to hang out with us,” Steele offers.
“Thanks,” she murmurs, shedding her coat. “But I think I want something to relax.”
“I’ve got what you need,” I interject.
Her gaze flicks to me, eyes widening in surprise. I pull her jacket from her grip and tip my head, indicating that she should follow me. She does without a word. Her attention is fixated on my back. Her focus makes me feel like I’m stepping into a warm bath.
I lead her to the stairs and up, then down the hall to my bedroom. Knox has the largest, with its own bathroom. Steele, Miles, and I all share the one in the hall. I guess she’ll just have to deal with that.