Chapter 4
River
All right, I’ll admit that I wasn’t planning on making a detour after practice. If I were thinking clearly, I would’ve headed straight back to the penthouse to chill out for a while before tonight’s team meeting. Maybe even watched some film.
The second Evelyn mentioned Beau reaching out to Callie, something in me snapped.
I know exactly who the guy is.
Chicago might be a big city, but it’s also a small one in all the ways that matter.
After a while, you see all the same faces at parties or clubs.
From what I’ve heard about Beau, he enjoys having a beautiful woman on his arm to show off.
Callie isn’t just a pretty face.
She’s smart and hardworking. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a playboy who isn’t interested in settling down or being a true partner in every sense of the word.
It’s exactly how I end up at the downtown bistro, seated at a table near the window with an amazing view of the river, a glass of water in front of me as I wait for the owner to make an appearance.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can get for you?” the hostess asks, leaning closer, ample cleavage on display.
My guess is that she’d like me to ask for her number.
But there’s no chance of that happening.
There’s only one woman I’m interested in.
She owns a bakery and has the most adorable two-year-old I’ve ever seen.
My twin sister’s kids excluded, of course. Autumn and Haven have some serious cute factor going for them. Especially when they flash their dimples.
“Nope, I’m good.”
She takes a small step in retreat. “Okay. If you need anything, just let me know. Wave me down. I’ll be watching from right over there.” She points to the hostess stand near the entrance.
Umm, okay… That’s not creepy at all.
I force a smile. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”
She beams before reluctantly turning to a table who’s been trying to get her attention for the past five minutes.
This kind of behavior isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Women have been falling all over themselves to get to me since college. And when I turned pro, it was like the floodgates opened.
Did I take advantage of the fan adoration in the beginning?
Guilty as charged.
And for a while, the transient encounters filled a void.
Until I met my best friend and teammate’s new girl.
Then, it was impossible to forget her face.
Even while fucking other women.
Since I could only keep that up for so long, I stopped hooking up altogether. I haven’t had sex in three years.
Honestly?
I haven’t even felt the urge.
Which is disconcerting to say the least.
I’m knocked from those thoughts when Beau Masterson slides into the chair across from me. He’s all flash with an expensive Rolex wrapped around his left wrist and suit that’s tailored to fit his large frame.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Thompson?” he asks with a quick smile.
Like I said, it’s a big city that feels small.
I lean back in the chair, aiming for cool and collected. “I heard you were interested in carrying some desserts from Lakeshore Sweets in your restaurants, so I thought I’d drop by for a quick conversation.”
I have to fight the urge to groan when his eyes spark with equal parts humor and interest. “You don’t say? Go on.”
When I press my lips together, his smile widens.
Beau Masterson comes from money, and lots of it. He’s used to getting what he wants. And if it’s necessary to pay for the pleasure, he’ll do that too.
“So tell me, do you have an interest in the little bakery?” There’s a beat of silence. “Or the pretty blonde who runs it?”
“Callie’s a good friend,” I say casually, hoping he buys it. It would be pretty fucking embarrassing if he asks her about our nonexistent relationship. “I’m more interested in what your intentions are.”
Beau laughs, clearly enjoying himself. “Look, I’ll be honest. She’s a beautiful woman. And obviously talented. She has that sweet, girl-next-door appeal working for her. I was thinking about taking her out and getting to know her.”
Dammit. I knew it wasn’t as simple as the desserts.
My fingers flex beneath the table. “Callie isn’t like the women you usually date,” I say, making a concerted effort to lower my tone.
He shrugs. “Maybe I’m looking for something a little different.”
Even though I’m loath to give him more information, I admit, “She has a kid.”
Beau tilts his head. “Little girl, right? So what’s your angle here, Thompson?” He leans in slightly. “Are you this protective of all your friends? Or is there more going on behind the scenes? From what I’ve heard, Zane Holloway’s the baby daddy. Or do I have it wrong?”
A muscle in my jaw tics.
I’m holding on to my temper by a thread.
What a fucking douchebag.
I meet his gaze and hold it steadily. “She and Zane were together, and now they’re not.
Callie’s not the type of woman you fuck around with.
She’s got Nora and the bakery. That’s where her priorities lie.
If you’re only interested in carrying her desserts, that’s great.
Just know that anything else is off the table. ”
His smile sharpens. “You’re the one who makes that call, huh? Is she aware of that?”
I don’t bother with a response, since I don’t have a good answer. At least, not one I’m willing to share with this asshole.
But Beau keeps going. “Who’s to say she doesn’t want a little fun in her life? Sounds to me like she deserves it.”
It wouldn’t take much to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze the air from his body. Slowly. If he keeps talking shit, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
“She deserves more than what guys like you are offering,” I say flatly.
Beau raises both hands as mock innocence shines in his eyes. “Hey, if she tells me no, I’ll back off. But if she says yes? I won’t apologize for showing a woman a good time.”
I drum my fingers on the table. “Steer clear, Masterson. Or you’ll deal with me.”
Beau stares at me for a long moment before releasing a chuckle that’s low and full of amusement. “Damn. You really have a thing for her, huh?”
When I remain silent, he relaxes against the chair. “Noted.”
With nothing else to say, I rise to my feet and walk toward the entrance. Even though I came here with the intention of giving Beau a bit of friendly advice, I leave the restaurant with fire in my veins and one thought echoing in my head.
I can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and bide my time anymore.
Not when it comes to Callie.
Or her daughter.
Not when some smug asshole thinks he can touch what I’ve been quietly guarding for years.