He’d never been nervous in front of a crowd before, so why was he now? Nothing to do with knowing Judith was there. No, of course not.
Someone came up and leaned against the wall beside him and Caleb found himself doing a double take when he saw that it was Joseph.
Oh shit.
…
Judith realized she was rubbing her sweaty palms down the blue silk of the dress Marisa had suggested she wear. She swore, grabbing a napkin from the table instead.
The beautiful old Art Deco theatre where the auction was being held was breathtaking, but she really wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the amazing ceiling studded with tiny lights to emulate a night sky. Or the two massive lions on either side of the stage. Or the scrolled and gilded proscenium arch.
Not when every time she looked, she kept remembering the conversation she’d had with Caleb about it. The conversation where she’d been held in his arms, his naked body pressed up against hers…
No, crap, think about something else.
They were having a small intermission after the first lot auctions and then the second half would start. Caleb was the last person on the list. Thinking about the prospect of seeing him again made her feel sick.
God, would he look at her the way he’d looked at her in her apartment? With that cold expression on his face? Or would he not even glance at her at all? She couldn’t figure out what was worse.
Bloody Joseph. Why had she let him talk her into coming?
Beside her, Marisa was twiddling with the straw in her glass of what appeared to be water. Which was weird because water was definitely not Marisa’s style. Or maybe it was vodka? She was having a rather strained conversation with Christie, who sat on the other side, and her new sister-in-law seemed rather puzzled about something. Perhaps she was wondering where the hell Joseph was. His auction had been in the first half and he still hadn’t come back to the table yet.
Judith opened her mouth to interject something, anything to take her mind off her own problems, but then the music started and the lights dimmed.
And the nausea did a back flip in her stomach.
Caleb would be coming on soon. She’d have to see him up there on the stage, so near and yet so far. Tall and dark and gorgeous. And she’d have to sit there watching while other people—other women—bid on the privilege of a date with him. Spending up large just to get time with the famous rugby player. With “Abs of Steele”. But they’d never know the man behind that persona. The wonderful man he was underneath all that charm.
Only she knew.
Tears started in her eyes. Furiously she blinked them back. Perhaps he’d see her sitting there. And she’d be damned if he saw her cry.
Judith reached for her wine glass and downed the whole lot.
…
Awkwardness fell like a giant forest tree, blocking the space between him and Joseph.
Caleb hadn’t spoken to his friend in over a week. He’d told himself it was because he was so busy, a big game the night before last and lots of training beforehand. Then a couple more meetings with the TV execs, plus another with a potential sponsor—energy drinks this time.
Of course, that was a lie. He hadn’t seen his friend because he couldn’t bear the guilt.
Joseph stared at him, eyes uncomfortably direct.
“Hey, Joe,” Caleb said, because he had to say something. “What are you doing here? You already sold your mentorship.”
“Yeah, I know.” He shifted on his feet, still staring at Caleb. “I’m here because you’re avoiding me and I need to talk to you.”
So he was going to head straight into it? Well, fine. Caleb could deal with that. “I’m not avoiding you, I’ve just been busy. And before you say anything else, you can get down off your big-brother high horse because Jude and I are over.”
The expression on his friend’s face didn’t change. “Uh-huh. And whose decision was that?”
“It was a mutual decision.”
“That’s not what I heard. In fact, what I heard was that you were a selfish bastard and that she wasn’t enough for you.”
Caleb glanced away, a hollow, empty feeling taking up residence in the pit of his stomach.
“Which makes you right, doesn’t it? I’m not good enough for her.”
Joseph gave a soft curse. “I only said that because, well, no one’s going to be good enough for her. She’s my sister for God’s sake.”
“That doesn’t make it any less true.”
“No, but it’s not specific to you, okay? And that’s bullshit she’s not enough for you. I think you told her that to push her away.”
The hollow feeling in his gut tightened. He looked away again. “And what would you know about it?”