Page 59 of The Denver Alpha
“Maybe, but I swear Rosie’s only like twenty-two. So why would he be okay with that but not with you?
“Beats me. The man’s confusing as hell.”
Shay chuckles quietly, shaking her head again. “Truth. I don’t envy you, girl.” She glances down at her watch, then pulls her feet out of the water, scooching backwards on the concrete and scrambling to stand. “Shit, I lost track of time. I’m supposed to meet up with Sam after he has coffee with your man.”
“Not my man,” I correct.At least not officially.
“Notyet!” she sing-songs, bending down to grab her sandals before spinning around and rushing toward the packhouse.
Realizing that I should probably get to breakfast while there’s still food left, I swim across to the ladder on the other side and climb out of the pool, retrieving my towel from where I left it on a lounger and drying myself off before wrapping it around me. Then I head to my room, change out of my wet swimsuit into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, run a brush through my damp tresses, and start making my way toward the kitchen.
I’m almost there, just walking through the foyer and minding my own business, when I spot Tayla doing the walk of shame with…
Tobias?!
I nearly trip over my own feet as I do a double-take, unable to contain my shock. My eyes fly wide, my jaw goes slack, and when Tayla looks my way and realizes she has an audience, she ups the ante by throwing her arms around Tobias’ neck and shoving her tongue down his throat.
Gross.
I shudder in revulsion, but it’s like a car crash- as awful as it is, I can’t look away. When Tayla finally pulls back from their over-the-top kiss, she shoots me a smug smirk over Tobias’ shoulder before spinning and strutting out the front door of the packhouse.
“Really?” I blurt as Tobias turns around, and the moment he sees me, his face goes crimson.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to piece together what I just saw; it’s clear Tayla stayed the night with him. And honestly? At least someone in this packhouse got some last night after Cole wined and dined me and then left me with the female equivalent of blue balls. But of all people, Tobias went forTayla? The guy could do so much better.
“Would you believe me if I said it’s not what it looks like?” Tobias hazards, wincing as he pushes back his messy auburn hair with a hand.
I swivel toward him and take a few steps in his direction. “Well itlookslike you hooked up with Tayla last night, dude.”
“Okay, then yeah,” he admits with another wince. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
I snort a laugh, shaking my head. “Damn. I thought for sure you had better taste than that.”
“She just showed up at my room last night!” Tobias exclaims, throwing his hands up. “What kinda guy could turn that down?”
Well I certainly hope mine could.
Dang, did I just think of Cole as mine?
I grimace, blowing out a breath as Tobias closes the space between us. “You know she’s using you right?”
“Yeah, so?” He shrugs a shoulder casually. “Who says I’m not using her, too? You jealous yet?” He waggles his eyebrows teasingly, nudging me with an elbow.
“Sojealous.”
The two of us share a laugh and I’m thankful we’re able to joke about almost being more than friends at one time. Things were weird for a few days after that ill-fated kiss, but now they’re golden. Good thing, too, because I’ll take all the friends I can get at this point. I’m not super trusting of the girls after that whole shoplifting incident.
Cole passes through the foyer as Tobias and I laugh together, shooting a glance our way, and if looks could kill…
“Good morning!” I call, lifting a hand to offer him a wave.
And he completely ignores me.
“Wonder what that’s all about,” I murmur, sliding Tobias a look. “I’ll catch ya later.”
He murmurs a quick goodbye as I take off after Cole, trailing him in the direction of his office. There’s no way he doesn’t hear my footsteps behind him, yet he doesn’t break stride. If anything, he walks faster.
“Sarge!” I call out.