Scoring Wilder(76)

“I actually left the team for some quite interesting reasons. I had a problem with a certain individual on the team. There was tons of juicy drama, but I have to go to the event now, boys! Maybe we’ll get to the bottom of the story another time!”

My jaw ticked as I listened to her plant the seed of my impending demise. She was bypassing the gritty details of our drama for now, but she and I would have to clear the air soon. We both had too much ammunition on one another and I knew she was just waiting to use it to her advantage. Liam squeezed my hand and shot me an apologetic frown. I wrapped my other hand around his arm so that he knew I wasn't upset... just overwhelmed. I hadn’t factored Tara into my evening attire. If I knew she’d be at the event, I would have tucked a flask into my sequined clutch. Or maybe a glock.

The red carpet led the four of us toward a set of double doors where a PR person was checking people off the list and admitting them as they arrived. When she glanced up at Liam, she smiled and waved us through quickly.

My heart rate started to slow down as soon as we were inside the majestic ballroom. In here, we were just another guest at the party.

The event organizers had spared no expense. The colors of the event were black, gold, and white and they extended to every single detail. Black cocktail tables were positioned throughout the room. They'd covered the walls in ornate black and gold striped wallpaper. White orchids sat on every table and black balloons covered the center dance floor. It was already packed by the time we arrived. People were milling around by the bar stations and the dance floor. I was relieved to see that it wouldn't be a sit down type of event.

Right away I recognized quite a few celebrities chatting with their friends and entourages. I was used to seeing them, having grown up in LA, but I'd never attended a party with so many of them in attendance. That's when it struck me that I was here as a date to one of those people.

The second we walked in, people started buzzing around Liam, waving hello and patting his arm as he passed by. He was clearly well-liked by everyone in attendance, a little too well liked by some of the women, but I did my best to ignore it. And by ignore it, I mean staring them down and praying they were actually men in drag.

Liam placed his hand on the small of my back so that his fingers touched my bare skin. We were greeting one of his friends as he ran his hand slowly up and down my spine, just enough to make my skin tingle. A backless dress was definitely a good choice.

"Would you like a drink?" Liam asked.

"Sure. It'll give me something to do with my hands," I joked as he led us over to the bar.

"This place looks amazing," Becca noted, scanning up over our heads toward the coffered ceiling illuminated by gold stars. I couldn't tell if it was a lighting trick or if they'd actually stuck stars to the ceiling.

Liam leaned in. "Champagne or a Greyhound?"

I smiled at the luxuriousness of champagne, but I had to resist. “I should probably stick with a diet coke since there’s media here."

He and Penn stepped up to order us drinks, and Becca and I stepped aside so we'd be out of the line.

"You look gorgeous. Are you still nervous?" I asked, putting my hands on her shoulders like I was giving her a pep talk.

She laughed and puckered her lips. "No, dahhling, you look gorgeous.” I laughed. "Not really. Now that we're inside it isn't so bad."

I agreed and let my hands drop back down to my side.

"I thought those reporters were going to jump across the rope and tackle you," Becca laughed.

I rolled my eyes just as Liam and Penn walked over with drinks. Liam kissed my cheek and handed me a glass of soda.

"Why thank you," I winked. Penn handed Becca her drink and we all clinked glasses before taking a sip. The champagne was light and sweet, a perfect combination.

"Were you guys talking about the reporters?" Penn asked.

"Yeah, they were vicious," Becca answered.

As the group chatted, Liam placed his hand on my lower back once again, drawing me near his body. It felt intimate to have him claiming me like that. It was as if he couldn't stand near me without touching me somehow. I rested my body weight against his chest and I felt his hand dip just past the plunging hemline on the back of my dress. The one downfall to the flowy garment was that there were no barriers to keep Liam out. He easily slid his fingers an inch lower than they should have been. If he kept going he'd hit the top of my lacy underwear.

I eyed him warily, but he was talking to Penn and wearing a confident smile. The guy had one perfected poker face. I smiled to myself and took another sip of my drink, but when I slid the glass from my lips, I looked up to see Josh and the blonde bimbo.

Yes, the one I found in his bed while we were dating. They were heading in our direction from the entrance of the party.

I almost couldn't believe it at first. Surely, he'd have more class than that. Or maybe he didn't know Liam would bring me? Either way, my stomach clenched and I wanted to flee the scene immediately. Liam's fingers pressed into my back gently, letting me know he saw Josh approaching as well.

"Hey everyone," Josh offered with a small smile. I was almost surprised that he even came up to our group, but then I remembered that he and Liam had practiced together all week. Liam had told me that on the field they pushed all the bullshit aside and played as teammates. I wasn't sure what the rules were for this situation though.