Zanders.
God, he looks good. He’s surrounded by countless people begging for his attention, but his focus is set on me.
A soft smile rests on his full, very kissable lips before he silently mouths our favorite phrase, “You following me?” from across the room.
A laugh escapes me as I hold his eye contact, a blush heating my cheeks. Zanders wears an all too giddy grin, matching mine.
“Little Shay, what’s so funny?” Dom asks.
Bringing my attention back to the group of guys I’m standing with, I shake my head to tell them nothing. I’m not ready for my brother to know about my hookup with Evan Zanders, and filling his teammates in, is a disaster waiting to happen.
“Who’s that with your brother?” Dom motions towards the bar.
Without turning that way, I already know who it is. The pit in my stomach knows too.
After all these years, the idea of seeing Brett tonight has been weighing on me for weeks now. We have such a sordid history, and something about him will always remind me that I’m not enough. But at the same, I’ve always wanted to be. No piece of me wants to be with him now, but part of me wants him to want me for once.
I know that sounds fucked up, but this push and pull we had for years, more so him pulling away and me chasing to be enough, messed with my self-worth like you wouldn’t believe.
I just wanted him to choose me, and now years later, I feel like I need to prove I’m worthy of being chosen.
So, here I am, my wild curls as straight as an arrow. My clutch resting in my hands held over my stomach, trying to hide the curve there.
What is wrong with me? Why do I care?
“Little Shay, who is that?”
Finally, my eyes slide over to the bar finding Ryan with his old college teammate—my ex-boyfriend.
Ryan has two beers in his hand, one for me, I’m assuming, when Brett’s eyes meet with mine.
My stomach drops.
I want to run and hide, but I also want to stay put and prove to him something that doesn’t need proving.
That I’m enough.
“Ryan’s college teammate,” I absentmindedly answer.
Brett’s smile lifts when he sees me before he pats my brother’s shoulder, picks up two flutes of champagne, and heads my way.
I can’t keep my eyes off him. He looks good. He’s just as handsome, though his body has slightly changed due to the lack of basketball in his life.
And even these few moments of being around him again, I know I can’t do it. I can’t be in the same city as him. I already feel like I’m not enough.
“Does Shay know that you’ve banged his college teammate?” Dom’s tone is amused but somewhat fearful for the man walking my way.
“Yeah. The three of us were close friends, and he’s my ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh shit.” Dom grabs his champagne glass from the table, motioning to the rest of his teammates. “That’s our cue.”
The big guys take off as Brett approaches me with a champagne flute outstretched.
“Stevie, you look amazing.”
“Yeah, I know.”
A low chuckle escapes Brett’s lips. “Where’d my humble Stevie go?”
Humble? I think he means insecure.
Lifting the flute a little higher, he waits for me to take it.
“I don’t really drink champagne,” I remind him.
“You can tonight. Come on. I haven’t seen you in years. Have a drink with me.”
Reluctantly, I take the glass from him, never being great at saying no to this man.
“How are you?”
“I’m good,” I quickly answer, nodding. “You?”
Bringing the bubbly liquid to my lips, I slightly grimace. It’s just so fucking sweet. I want a beer.
“Doing better now. Ryan has a few people he wants to introduce me to tonight, so if all goes well, I’ll be working in sports again, and even better, I’ll be living in the same city as you.”
Brett reaches out, stroking a piece of my smooth and straight hair, running it between his fingers. “I love when you wear your hair like this.”
I turn my head away from him, not sure if I like him touching me again. But also, not sure if I don’t.
“Stevie, I’m so happy to see you,” Brett says out of nowhere. My eyes dart to his, completely confused. We haven’t dated in years. We haven’t spoken in years. He’s just out of options.
“Don’t say that,” I beg. “Not after the things you said.”
“What are you talking about?”
Does he really not know? Does he not realize that I heard him tell his whole team, sans my brother, that he had been using me for our entire three-year relationship? That he was moving on to better and hotter things as soon as he turned pro?