Chapter 40 #3
The conversation continues on with everyone laughing together, and I notice the only one not joining in is Aubrey. When I glance her way, I find her gaze fixed in one specific direction. And of course, when my eyes travel to where hers lead, I find Shane dressed up nicely with the Storm brothers.
When I look back at Brey, her back straightens and eyes grow wide. A small blush forms on her cheeks as she passes her fingers through her hair quickly. Turning to the men once more, I find them heading in our direction. Well, this is going to be fun.
“Ah, if it isn’t my favorite new neighbors.” Jessie comes up first with that charming megawatt smile. “Wooh! My heart is about to jump out of my chest with how many beautiful women surround me in this moment.”
“Hi, Jessie,” all of us girls say, giggling. I like him, he’s funny.
“What my incompetent brother meant to say is evening, gentlemen. Ladies, you all look incredibly lovely tonight,” Julian says, eyeing all of us with that calculative stare he seems to wear permanently, as if he always has a greater agenda behind each word he speaks.
They finally land on Aubrey, and a mischievous smirk forms at the corner of his lips. “Miss Ford, you look exquisitely ravishing. A beautiful dress for a beautiful woman. The color highlights all your features in the very best way. Would you not agree, Jefferson?”
Oh, I see what he’s doing… I love it. But that’s a dangerous game to play, certainly with Greyson right here.
Shane straightens, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows then clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. Yes. The dress, it’s… it’s…” He clears his throat once more. Oh my God! Shane! Stop talking!
I spot Greyson frowning from my side as his coach trips over his words. Someone needs to do something before the wrong person catches on. I look at the girls as they all stare with wide eyes, unsure what to do while the three brothers snicker beside a nervous Shane.
Finally, he sighs, letting the nerves leave his body and smiling with affection at Aubrey. “You look magnificent, Aubrey.” The way her name rolls off his tongue almost gives me the shivers. I can visibly see Aubrey softening with every word.
“Thank you, Shane. You as well,” she answers, her cheeks turning red. “I mean, you look really handsome,” she tells him softly.
I peek at our group and find Clay and Silas giving each other a look while Noah and Gabe seem to have caught on and find this hilarious but are trying to keep it inside. If they have caught on, Grey won’t be far behind. Time to intervene.
“He really does, don’t you girls think? Who knew Coach could look this good in a tux?
I mean, damn, Shane, if you wore this to every hockey game, the arena would be packed with ladies there only for you.
” Okay, I may be overselling it a little, but if it can take Greyson’s attention off them, then the plan worked.
As predicted, my words caught his attention. He spins me to face him, brows furrowed with that jealous, angry look he gets when he feels threatened. “He wears a suit all the time, what’s so different now?”
I pat his chest. “A suit isn’t the same. You’re sexy when you wear a suit, but a tuxedo… Mama’s hungry,” I say playfully with a wink.
He wraps his arm around my waist and glues my chest to his, head lowering as I feel the tip of his nose gliding up my neck until his lips reach my ear. “Good to know.” He kisses my jaw. “I’ve missed this playful side of you, Bunny.”
“Maybe you’ll get more of it tonight,” I whisper breathlessly. I miss him physically so much.
We pull apart slightly, suddenly remembering we aren’t alone. Julian’s eyes are still fixed on Aubrey while Aubrey and Shane stare at each other. Julian suddenly steps up with an outstretched hand. “May I have this dance, Miss Ford?”
Her eyes bulge out of her head, looking like a deer ready to bolt. “Oh… um…” Her gaze flicks from Julian to Shane, then back to Julian. “I’m not much of a dancer,” she says, her entire body flushing.
“That is all right, I will lead. I promise I do not bite.” He steps closer, placing his hand at the base of her back, lowering his mouth to her ear, and whispering something that sounds a lot like, “Unless you are into that.” And given the horrified look on her face, I’d say I’m right on my assumptions.
He starts to guide her away as she stares at Shane, practically begging him with her eyes to do something.
But all he does is glare at his friend who winks at him and walks away with Aubrey.
Shane doesn’t take his eyes off them, his jaw visibly ticking from the pressure he’s applying as he grinds his teeth together.
“I don’t like that guy,” Grey says from behind me.
An idea pops into my mind. “He does seem a bit too focused on Aubrey… Maybe we should send someone over to cut in and get him away from her.” I look around at our group, noticing Gabe is off to the side talking to a pretty brunette, and Noah has an arm around Ronnie’s shoulder.
Good, they’re occupied. That leaves only…
“Shane! You should go save her. I’m sure she’d much prefer dancing with you rather than a stranger. ”
Shane’s eyes snap to mine with a panicked expression.
I tilt my head to the side and look up at Grey, giving him the biggest innocent eyes I can conjure. “You don’t mind, do you? I mean, you know Shane well, you know he would never do anything inappropriate to your sister.”
Greyson thinks it over for a second, then looks up at Shane with a nod. “You wouldn’t mind?”
I see Shane’s eyes lighting up with surprise. “Uh… yeah, of course. I’ll keep him away from her.”
“Thanks, Coach. I really appreciate it,” Grey tells him, to which Shane nods with a guilty expression, then walks away in Aubrey’s direction.
Oh… you poor fool. Greyson has no idea he just played a part in getting Shane and Aubrey closer.
“So who do I get to have my first dance with?” Jessie says with that big smile of his. He looks over all of us, then lands on me. “Ah, the beautiful Emma. I’ve always had a thing for redheads. Care to amuse me for a little while?”
I can’t help but giggle. He’s a funny one, this guy. Greyson tightens his hold on my waist, bringing my back to his front as he throws daggers at Jessie with his eyes. “She’s not yours, buddy. She’s mine, so back off. She has all the amusement she needs right here.”
“Aww, come on, man. You don’t mind sharing for a few minutes, do you?
Sharing is caring, as they say.” Oh, he’s pushing him.
I can feel Greyson’s anger radiating from his body.
Jessie then looks back at me. “What do you say, Em? Why don’t you ditch this guy and come play with the big guns?
I could be your very own billionaire, buy you anything you’d like.
Whisk you away for fancy dates on my private jet.
” He winks, completely ignoring Grey’s growls.
“Don’t fucking call her Em! You don’t know her, you’re not friends.” He goes to step aside, ready to come face to face with Jessie. I know Jessie is just goading him for fun, but Greyson is not messing around and isn’t afraid to get physical.
I place my hand on his chest, keeping myself between the two.
I give Greyson a smile, then turn to Jessie.
“As much as I appreciate the offer, I’m going to have to politely decline.
I have no intention of leaving my daughter or her father for anyone.
And for the record, your money doesn’t impress me.
You may not know who I am, but I can assure you, if I wanted a private jet or weekly trips around the world, I’d buy them myself. ”
“Aw, you break my heart, Em.” He winks at Grey, using my nickname on purpose, then looks over at the rest of the girls. “So who will it be then? Cotton Candy? You ready for our dance?” he says, looking at Ronnie.
She shakes her head with a smile, then shrugs. “I could do with a billionaire for the night. Lead the way.” She shrugs off Noah’s arm and takes hold of Jessie as he leads her away.
Noah watches them with a displeased look but doesn’t say anything. He quickly finishes his drink, then steps away to the bar as he sets his glass down on it and joins Gabe and the brunette. Jason, being the only brother left in our presence, offers us a small nod, then heads for the bar as well.
I finish the rest of my champagne, and Greyson takes the coupe from my hand. “Do you want a glass of wine or something else?”
“Wine, please.” I beam at him.
“I’ll be right back.” He kisses my cheek and turns for the bar.