Page 70 of Power Play

“Makes sense.”

When the bartender places our drinks on the counter, he picks up his glass and peers at me. As soon as I lift mine, he taps his drink against it.

“Cheers,” Mitchell mutters, before gulping down a solid third of his drink in one go.

“Tonight is going to get messy, isn’t it?”

A mirthless laugh rumbles from his throat. “Counting on it.”

His hand settles on my back, but unlike with Al, his touch doesn’t make me feel centered. It’s performative at best. Polite. He guides me across the party to my husband, who’s scowling as we approach. A line creases his forehead, making his brown eyes glitter darker.

“You two look cozy,” Al snaps.

“Relax, Gonzo,” Mitchell drawls. “I’m not about to make a move on your girl. I’m dumb, not suicidal.”

He turns his glare on me. “You can’t sleep with him.”

Mitchell sucks in a breath, Jenkins lets out a shocked laugh, and I want to shrivel up and die with their attention on me. But more importantly…

Irritation flares through me, and my eyes narrow into slits. “Excuse me?”

Dimly, I’m aware of Mitchell dragging Jenkins away. All I can focus on is my stupid fucking husband and his stupid fucking accusations. How can he say he wants to date me and still think so little of me?

“I know you don’t want to be with me, but you can’t hook up with my teammates. That’s, like⁠—”

“Okay, hold the fuck up,” I snap. Glancing around, I’m reassured nobody is paying attention to us, but that can change in an instant. I grab him by the wrist and drag him into the hallway between the event space and the main dining room.

Al glowers at me. “What are you doing?”

“I’m not sleeping with your teammates. I have no interest in any of those idiots.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare up at him. “Do you really think I’m interested in him? In anyone else?”

Does he think I’m some kind of whore, offering myself to the closest man around? Doesn’t he see he’s the only man I want to climb like a tree?

Sullen, he bites the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, but you’re not interested in me either.”

His attitude is definitely not attractive, but I can’t deny the hurt in his voice makes my heart beat faster. Maybe I’m more than a convenient option. Maybe there’s more to this than I thought.

“Is that what you think?” My bitter laugh echoes in the hallway. “I said I needed time to think. I didn’t say no.”

He opens his mouth, but I continue before he can get a word in edgewise.

“There’s too much at stake for me. I can’t do this. There can’t be an us.” I waggle a finger between us. “That day, it wasn’t a no. I needed to think it over. But I am saying no now.”

His face falls. “Got it. I hear you, loud and clear.”

He might hear the words, but he’s not listening. Whatever I’m saying, it’s not connecting for him.

“I can’t jeopardize Emmy’s safety for⁠—”

Al rears back. “What are you talking about?”

“When we get divorced, she’ll be all yours. I won’t have any legal claim to her.”

“But you’re her mom.” He stares at me, his head cocked.

“Not biologically. Not legally.”

“I told you, I’d never take her away from you.”