Page 81 of Puck Fest
The players start to arrive a few minutes later. Carter and Jack walk in, followed by Tate and a guy who looks to be his boyfriend judging by the way they move together. Then Danny steps inside, his hair slicked back, wearing a navy suit that makes his eyes pop. Every head turns.
Including mine.
I somehow manage to tear my eyes away.
Thankfully, dinner starts soon afterward. I sit with the media staff. Danny’s three tables over with the players.
During speeches, I sneak glances at him because fuck my life, I just can’t stop.
Once, I catch him looking back.
After the formal program, people move back toward the bar. Music starts and the event shifts to cocktail party.
I’m talking to some corporate partners when I feel someone slide in next to me.
My gut twists. Jesus Christ.
Alex.
“I didn’t know you were invited,” I say.
“I know people.” He gestures across the room. “Pretty nice event. Good turnout.”
“Yeah,” I say shortly. “I’ll let you get back to your networking.”
“You know,” he says. “I’ve been watching you tonight.” His voice is casual. “You looked at Masterson six times during dinner. Very quick glances. Like you didn’t want anyone to notice.”
My jaw tightens. “There are two hundred people here.”
“But you kept coming back to him.” Alex sips his drink. “It was subtle. The way you positioned yourself so you could see his table. The way you tensed when someone talked to him. The way you both worked very hard not to acknowledge each other.” He pauses. “That kind of effort suggests something worth hiding.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“Maybe. But I’m very good at reading people, Noah. And you two are trying too hard to look normal.” He sets down his drink. “Makes me curious what happens when the cameras aren’t watching.”
He walks away, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
It wraps around my neck and chokes me.
I need air. I need to get out before I do something stupid.
I head outside, my temples throbbing. I stop on the sidewalk and lean against the side of the hotel.
Footsteps click on the ground behind me.
I swear to God, if that asshole followed me out here?—
“Noah.”
I jump at the sound of Danny’s voice.
“You shouldn’t have followed me.” My eyes dart back to the entrance.
“You left in the middle of the event. What did Alex say to you?”
“He’s tracking us. Watching how we avoid each other. Counting how many times I looked at you during dinner.”
“Fuck.”
