James (Resisting Love #3)(48)
“You still seeing your ex?” Sax growls, looking unhappy.
“You still a cheating bastard?” Tee snaps back. Ouch, that was harsh. Poor Sax.
“So what, I make one mistake and have to pay for the rest of my life?” Sax asks her, a serious look on his face.
Tee’s eyes soften. “No, I guess not.”
“I hope your ex knows what he has,” Sax says softly.
“Who said my ex was a man?” Tee replies. Okay then. I’m pretty sure the look on Saxon’s face matches my own right about now. Shock, surprise, and hell, a little bit of curiosity. I change directions and walk up to Trey.
“Sash, wanna play the next game with me?” Trey asks, his hazel eyes alight. He loves being with the fam after not seeing everyone for so long, and I don’t blame him one bit.
“Sure,” I tell him, flashing him a smile. I can feel James’ eyes on me but he doesn’t approach. Instead he chats with Kade, and Chase who has just joined them.
“What happened?” Layla asks, as she leans on the pool table.
“Colton was here,” I tell her, making a face.
Layla laughs, a musical sound. “I don’t know why you stayed with him for so long, he was a bit of an *,” she says casually.
When I start to giggle she eyes me suspiciously. “Really? Colton? How big are we talking?” she asks in shock, a flush of colour appearing on her cheeks.
“Not James big, but big,” I tell her, my body shaking with laughter. Nikki walks over from where she was sitting with Lexi.
“What’s so funny?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Nothing,” Layla and I answer at the same time. Trey beats Layla, so I take the cue from her and play the next game.
“You miss Scotland?” I ask him as I play my shot.
“I miss my family and friends, but I gotta tell you, I love it here.”
“You should stay,” I slyly add in. I’d love it if he moved here.
“Maybe I will,” he says with a thoughtful look on his face.
“What will you do with the pub?”
“Sell it, I guess,” he says, a little sad.
“That sucks,” I say slowly.
“I know but I could use the money to buy something here.”
“True.” I play another shot, sinking the ball. I’m chalking my cue when a woman walks up to Trey and starts up a conversation. Trey runs his hands from the back of his neck up into his hair, and offers her a small smile. His hazel eyes look very intrigued, and slightly nervous.
Interesting.
“Your shot, Trey,” I call out. The woman turns around, and she really is a beauty. She offers me a small smile and says something to Trey before walking off. I watch Trey shoot his shot in silence, waiting for him to say something, but he doesn’t. So I do.
“Who was that?” I ask straight out. Yes, I’m nosey.
“A girl I met here the other night,” he says, offering me nothing else.
“What’s her name?” I ask him.
“Sadie.”
“Oh my god, I love that name!” I say excitedly. He makes a grunting noise and then leans his cue against the wall, so he can take a sip of his drink.
“She’s stunning, too,” I add, not so subtly.
“Sasha,” he warns.
“What?” I ask, batting my eyelashes.
“Play your shot,” he says.
I do.
He wins.
***
The drive home is filled with tension. We make it halfway home when he decides to speak.
“Were you ever gonna tell me you were engaged before?” he asks through clenched teeth.
“Why does it matter? It doesn’t affect us in any way, James. Besides it was a stupid mistake I’d rather not relive,” I tell him, looking out the window.
“Okay, I get that, but I don’t appreciate hearing shit from your ex that I didn’t know about you.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” I say.
“Your ex is a f*ckhead,” he says, telling me something I already know.
“I know.” The atmosphere seems to clear up, the thickness dissipating.
“Good,” he says, placing his hand on my thigh and gently squeezing. I guess that's him forgiving me.
“James?”
“Yes, Sasha.”
“I love you,” I tell him, looking at him from the corner of my eye.
“And I love you,” he says in a gentle tone. His thumb rubs my thigh in a circular motion.
“Are you going to show me just how much, when we get home?” I ask him, using my most seductive tone.
“Do you even have to ask?” he rasps back, flashing me a look so heated I only know one thing.
We need to get home, and stat.
***
As I listen to Nikki attempt to sing a Mariah Carey song, I decide to go on after her. It’s a smart move when you think about it, because anyone would sound good after her. I love that she doesn’t care what anyone thinks. I choose ‘Scar’ by Missy Higgins, and sing my heart out. I can see James watching and listening intently, it’s been a long time since he has heard me sing. I have a good voice - at karaoke level, not a professional one. James cheers the loudest when I’m done, and I walk towards him, reveling in his scent and warmth as he wraps me in his arms.