Page 14 of Game Misconduct

Luke tips back his beer, his thick throat working as he swallows. He really is pretty. “Okay. Lay it on me.”

I take a covert look around the pool. There’s no sign of Nick anywhere, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be overheard.

“So two years ago, I met this guy in a bar. And we totally hit it off. But then he said some things and I…” Blowing out a breath, I face the truth. “I was an asshole to him before he could do the same to me. And then I bailed, and I haven’t seen him since.”

He cocks his head. “So what’s the problem? Why are you dredging up ancient history?”

“He’s here.”

His eyes widen. “Here? On this island?”

“Yep. Saw him last night.”

“This is a big resort. Maybe you won’t see him again.”

Scoffing, I take another healthy sip of my drink. “I doubt it. I’ll be seeing a lot of him.”

A knowing smirk tilts his lips as he nudges me. “Naked?”

“Not naked.” I can barely hold back my shudder at the reminder that he doesn’t think of me, that I’m so unimportant. Been there, done that, don’t need to relive it. “I don’t want to see him fully clothed, either. I don’t want to see him at all.”

“Okay, but why can’t you just avoid him?”

“He’s everywhere. And to make matters worse, my brother hates him.”

Luke’s jaw drops. “Holy fuck, you slept with Nick Mitchell?”

“Shh!” Panic seizes my heart, and I cover his mouth. “How the hell did you put that together so fast?”

He removes my hand, but doesn’t let it go, lacing our fingers together and giving mine a reassuring squeeze. “Babe, their rivalry is legendary. I saw it firsthand when we all went to dinner last season. They may have a truce, but they still don’t like each other.”

“Yeah, well, Wyatt doesn’t know. And Nick says he didn’t know I’m related to Wyatt, but I don’t believe him.”

I want to, so desperately I almost physically ache with that want. But I’ve trusted the wrong kind of men before, and I’m not about to make that mistake again.

“He made me feel seen and desired. He made me think he actually wanted me, that it was more than just lust.” Sighing, I flick my ponytail over my shoulder. “But what would a guy like him want with someone like me? It was all a line to get me into bed.”

Luke opens his mouth to retort, but I cut him off.

“So I said some really shitty things, and then I bolted, and I haven’t seen him in two years.”

“Until last night,” he drawls.

“Yep.”

He pauses, then waves over the bartender, who hurries over. “Two shots of tequila, please. Make them doubles.”

I’m reminded of the fact that he’s still in his early twenties. There’s got to be the better part of a decade between us. It’s my turn to open my mouth, but he shakes his head.

“Nope. We’re doing this.”

“You’re a bad influence,” I tease him.

“I’m the best influence,” he fires back.

Two shots appear in front of us, and he pushes one into my hand, then picks up the other. A ding rings out as he clinks his glass against mine.

“Cheers, babe.”