8. Baxter

CHAPTER 8

BAXTER

Connor's smile is in full flirt mode, and my insides simmer as he grins up at Tammy. Thank God I arrived back from coaching at the same time these douchebags did.

I glare at my friend, then glance up at Tammy. She smiles down at Connor with two dimples that make my heart hurt. She's so pretty. She always has been. Even when we were kids, she stood out from the rest. And then after puberty… holy shit, she was a knockout. I'd fallen for her long before then, but after that, I was so attracted to her, I could hardly stand it.

I'm still attracted to her. Desire pulses through me as I watch her glide down the stairs. She shakes Casey's hand, then greets the other guys.

"I hope you don't mind us crashing for a little bit."

"Of course not." Casey grins. "Mi casa es do casa."

"It's mi casa es su casa, dumbass," Liam grumbles, giving him a pitiful frown.

"Don't mind him. He gets a little cranky when he hasn't had his afternoon nap." Casey winks at Kai while Ethan snorts and shakes his head.

But before Liam can even respond, he gets distracted by Rachel. His entire face lights up with appreciation as she walks into the room. "Hey, cari?a." Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulls her in for a kiss, then whispers something in her ear that turns her smile mushy. They rest their foreheads together and look like a freaking Hallmark couple as they whisper-chat, melting into the background for a little privacy.

I turn back to check on Tammy, who is watching them with a wistful, crestfallen look on her face. Instinct tells me to move into her line of sight, distract her, let her know that she deserves that kind of love and adoration. She deserves all the attention and kindness and?—

"So…" Connor sidles up to the stairs. "How long are you two staying?"

"Uh, not sure yet. We're just visiting Baxter." Her dimple appears as she whips a look at me before grinning at Connor. "Don't worry. We won't overstay our welcome."

Connor's eyes dance with appreciation as he eyes her up and down. "I don't think that would be a problem for a pretty thing like you."

I want to punch him.

Right in the mouth.

What the fuck is he doing flirting with my girl?

She's not your girl, Bax.

A chill sweeps through me, and I grit my teeth, watching Connor shift into full charm mode. It reminds me of Hudson when he first showed up at Gladstone High. I will never get rid of that image—him leaning against Tammy's locker, tucking her hair behind her ear and smiling down at her with the grace of a fucking movie star. She stared up at him, all wide-eyed awe and wonder. He'd say something saccharine and irritating, and she'd blush and giggle. I'd never seen her act like that before. She never did that kind of thing with me.

Probably because I was never going to be more than a buddy. I was friend-zoned for life, and I felt helpless to change that.

Hudson made everything worse, and I instantly hated him. The feeling only grew as he dragged her further into his world and far away from mine. Then he knocked her up and fucking married her.

Tammy was my girl.

Except that she wasn't. He proved that.

And now Connor's doing the same thing. Talking to her like she's the only person in the room, his smile flattering, his perfect words and smooth voice enough to capture anyone.

Fuck!

I'm never gonna catch a break… not even when she shows up out of the blue because her fuckwit husband cheated on her.

"Actually…" Tammy's voice cuts through my maelstrom. "I'm married." She flicks her fingers in the air, and we all spot the ring.

It's still on her finger.

My gut plummets while my brain tries to remind me that… of course it is.

Hudson may have cheated on her, but she obviously hasn't decided what to do about that yet. I don't know the full details, but it clearly wasn't a case of her ripping that ring off and throwing it in his face.

She took off to regroup.

And she wants to regroup here. With me.

But that doesn't mean she's gonna stay.

That doesn't mean she's suddenly mine now.

Her expression washes with sadness that she only just manages to hide behind another bright smile.

Shit, is she gonna forgive that douchewad and go back to him?

I don't think I can stomach that.

I lost her once… and I can't go through that again.

Slipping from the room, I head to the shed out back. I'm sure it needs tidying or something, right?

I just need a little distance. Some space to remind myself that Tammy's just here for a minute. I'll take care of her, make sure she's safe and supported, but I can't go letting my heart get in the way.

She's not mine.

Maybe she never was.

I'll be her friend… just the way she wants me to be.

And then I need to prepare myself to let her go.