The Troublemaker - Cathryn Fox Page 0,1
weeks is my limit with a woman. I thought things might go further a couple years back when I hooked up with Jess, my sister’s best friend. But nope, I couldn’t seem to give her what she wanted, and she dumped me for a guy who could express himself better than me.
Love and affection were rare things in my household growing up, which might be why it’s hard for me to express myself. I usually just fuck things up and end up hurting whoever I’m with. I’ve since learned that if I bail after two weeks, no one falls in love, no one gets hurt. I’m just glad Nina never had the same problem, and is now in a loving relationship with my buddy.
“No minivan for me,” I say and casually stretch my legs out, pretending I’m relaxed when I’m actually strung so tight my shoulders are practically hugging my ears. I should probably get laid tonight, it’s what I always do to take my mind off things, but I’m not even sure if I want to have sex. If I tell Cole that I might just go to bed alone, he’ll check me in to the nearest clinic. “I’m a bachelor for life,” I add.
Cole makes a sound, one that suggests I’m full of shit, and says, “I think it’ll happen when you least expect it, and with the last person you expect it to happen with.”
I lift my bottle and tip it his way. “Look at that. My best friend. The hockey player and a philosopher. God, I’m a lucky guy.”
“Fuck off,” he says and shoves me. “I’m right. You’ll see.”
I snort. “Want to bet?”
He glances around, the overhead strobe lights beginning to give me a headache. “We are in Vegas. I’ll take that bet.”
I shake my head. “Nah, forget it.”
“Forget what?” Nina asks, as she comes our way, and sets herself on Cole’s lap. She runs her hands through his hair, and kisses him like her brother isn’t sitting there watching the two display affection. While I’d rather not watch them make out, my heart swells, happy and envious at what they have.
“Jesus, get a room already,” I say.
She grins at me. “Ooh, that’s a good idea. What were you two talking about?” she asks.
Cole opens his mouth, but I lean forward and cut him off. “That girl dancing with Kinsley. Do you know her?”
She turns. “Yeah, that’s Jules’s friend. She’s here for the wedding, too. Her name is Emily.”
“Emma. Emily. I was close,” Cole says, and I roll my eyes at him.
“She asked about you,” Nina says and takes Cole’s beer.
My dick twitches. “Oh yeah.”
She takes a big drink of beer, leaving me hanging. “Thanks babe,” she says and hands the bottle back to Cole. She lifts her head to see me as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Yeah, but I told her to stay away.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I let her know you were nothing but trouble.”
“Sis, seriously. When did little Neaner Neaner become such a cock blocker?” I ask, using the childhood nickname she hates, just to piss her off.
Cole nearly spews a mouthful of beer. “Watch what you’re calling my wife, buddy.”
Nina lifts her chin an inch, all tough with her husband backing her up, and my lips twitch. “That’s right, Cason. Talk to me like that again, and Cole will put a beating on you.”
I laugh, and Cole grins. The last fight we had—over Nina—I blackened his eye and they both know it. They don’t call me Crazy Callaghan the Troublemaker—on and off the ice—for nothing.
“Cool it you two,” Cole says. “Everyone is coming back.”
The gang are all laughing and hanging off each other as they come back to the big round table. Rider orders a round of shots for us all. They come and we lift them in salute. Kane, Rider’s best friend—his brother—lifts his glass.
“To Rider and Jules,” he says and we all down our tequila and reach for a lime from the bowl in the center. My hand connects with Emily’s and she gives me a smile.
“Here,” she says, and puts the lime in my mouth. I suck on it, and she nibbles on her bottom lip as she watches me. Yeah, maybe if I took her to bed, it would help me forget about all the things I want, but can never have. Juice drips down my chin, and I grab the napkin to wipe it.
“Uh oh,”