Chapter 38 #3
We tuck our phones back in our purses.
“I’m a ring doctor. I’ve been in the field for five, close to six years now,” Toby answers Drake’s question when he asks what he does. “My lady here is going to be working by my side, assisting with pre-fights and at my office.”
Xander stares at Lana, sitting on the opposite side, looking right into her eyes. His gaze is deadly. Intimidating. He’s not hiding it.
The waitress arrives with appetizers, then takes our order.
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to the ladies’ room,” Lana tells Toby.
“Do you want me to go with you?” I ask.
“No, it’s okay. I just need a moment.” She peers at Xander.
His gaze drifts from hers, taking his whiskey in hand, swirling the amber liquid, then taking a drink while his eyes are back on her.
She shivers slightly, then leaves for the restroom. Not even three minutes later, Xander follows.
Max’s hand traces my thighs while he laughs and jokes with the guys.
A smile forms on my face. This is happiness, this is family.
Max grabs a potato skin, topped with cheese and bacon, and dips it into the small bowl of sour cream.
Before he takes a bite, he puts it up to my mouth.
He keeps feeding me nonchalantly, while laughing at something Leo says. I swat his hand away.
“You need to eat,” he whispers.
“I know that. I have sour cream all over my face,” I tell him while dragging the cloth napkin over my mouth. Just then, Lana comes storming in. I scan her quickly. It doesn’t look like she screwed him in the restroom, but she looks mad.
Max lifts his brow as if to say what’s with her.
“I’ll tell you when we get home.” My breath fans his neck, whispering in his ear.
Xander storms in minutes later, appearing more pissed off than he was minutes ago. Usually, Max is so damn oblivious, but right now, he’s looking at Xander’s facial expression, then Lana’s. He peers at me, and I shrug.
Conversation keeps flowing, drinks keep coming. The guys begin talking about Carlos. Drake is the first one to say, “I knew something was up with that crooked ass. He must be doing illegal shit.”
Then Xander jumps in, talking shit about Carlos.
For right now, the guys will be training at the pool house until Max finds a location to open his own gym.
We talked about this the other night, and I’m excited for him.
It’s been a dream of his. Even Hector said he would help Max in any way he could.
I’m so happy with the progress Hector and Max have made.
I was afraid bringing Hector home would backfire.
Sometimes a second chance is worth a shot.
Lana’s lips remain sealed, her gaze deliberately avoiding the man across from her.
The silent treatment seems to crawl under Xander’s skin like a parasite.
His knuckles whiten around the handle of his steak knife as he saws through the medium-rare fillet, metal screeching against ceramic with each aggressive slice.
The tendons in his forearm flex and twitch.
I find myself calculating the distance between the tip of that gleaming blade and Toby’s grayish eyes.
Inches away. The jealousy radiating off Xander is almost enough to make him accidentally stab Toby’s eyeball with the knife.
Lana was wrong. Xander feels something for her. So it seems.
“Xander, I told Henry to get you tickets for the Gala,” Max says. “And for you, too, Drake and Leo.” Max had asked Hector, but he declined. He didn’t want to miss his AA meeting. Also, Max planned to tell everyone no alcohol tonight, but Hector said he would be fine.
“It seems I will be fighting at the gala,” Drake says, bringing his glass to his lips.
Max curses under his breath. “Now more reason to go. I had second thoughts. Since it was for a good cause, I figured I’d make an appearance.”
Drake empties his glass. “I’ll make it worth your time.”
Daniel must be forcing him to fight.
“I guess I’ll see you all there. Lana and I will be attending.” Toby drops kisses on her bare shoulder. She does seem uncomfortable.
Xander lifts his cup. “See you there, Toby…and Lana.”
He winks at her, then chugs it.
“What was that about?” Max asks, clicking the truck’s fob. “Xander was acting…strange.”
I tell him the entire story on the ride home. He lets out a dramatic gasp. Leo and Hector are silent in the backseat, getting in on the gossip.
“The thing about Xander is he always gets what he wants. She’d better say bye to Toby.
He’s no match for Xander. Lana better be ready for what Xander has in store for her.
” Leo’s voice is full of humor. “I do remember him saying something about a woman when we were in the Underground the day I fought. Come to think of it.”
“He’s right,” Max agrees. “Xander had her first.” Max rubs his chin. “I do remember him saying he was with a woman who liked to stir things up. His words, not mine.”
Lana finally found her match.
If she’s falling for Toby, then she’s in a world of trouble. She might just be in love with both.