The Game Changer(39)

I knew she didn’t really want an answer, so I remained quiet as she continued her tirade. “The biggest thing you don’t get to do is turn this around on me. I’m not the one who did anything wrong. I’m not the one who cheated, got someone fake pregnant, and then got married. So you do not get to make this an issue where you’re the one feeling bad and I’m supposed to feel guilty over something I had no control over. That’s bullshit, Jack, and you know it.”

Chills surged down my neck, causing the hairs to stand on end with her demands. She was hot as fuck when she was angry. I wanted to rip her clothes off and take her right here, while our model driver watched. “You’re right. You’re totally right. I’m sorry.”

Her breathing still erratic, she reached for my hand, pulling me toward the giant waiting shadow. “Don’t be like that. It’s not fair to me. I’m the one who gets to be upset and have insecurities, and figure out how to trust you again. Not the other way around.” Her voice turned to a whisper as we neared Matteo.

“Good evening, Mr. Carter, Miss Andrews,” Matteo’s voice rang out as he pulled open the rear door.

“Seriously, Matteo, call me Jack. Or Carter, even. Just drop the mister. Please.”

“Are you sure?” he asked one last time.

“I’m fucking positive,” I answered with a laugh, hoping that the f-word would break the ice even further.

“OK, boss. If you insist.”

That’s right. I’m your boss, model boy. And I do insist.

“How about you, Miss Andrews?”

Cassie leaned her head to the side, her lips puckering. “How about me, what?”

Is she flirting with him?

“What do you prefer I call you?” His eyes locked on to hers, and I wanted to introduce my fist to his jaw. Or piss all over Cassie in an effort to claim her as mine.

Get it together, Carter.

“Just Cassie would be great. No Miss Andrews. It’s sorta weird and creepy.”

“You’re weird and creepy.” I leaned into her ear, whispering.

She whipped her head around to face me, and I grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her mouth to mine. Her tongue parted my lips, and I deepened the kiss, my hands roaming down her back to her ass. I squeezed and she moaned into me. My lower body willing and able, I suddenly wished for privacy glass so I could take her in the back of this car.

Matteo cleared his throat as he eased the car forward. “Sorry. I just wanted to make sure we were heading home and not stopping anywhere first.”

“We have to stop somewhere. I’m starving,” I said. “But no pizza. I need meat.”

The sound of Cass’s cell phone beeping distracted me from my starving stomach as I wondered who was texting her this late. As if sensing my question, she said, “It’s Melissa. She wants to know if we’re fighting already.” She scratched the side of her head, her hair dangling around her fingers.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“I don’t know. I’m asking her.” She barely responded as her fingers raced across the cell phone screen.

“I keep forgetting it’s three hours earlier there, you know?”

“I know, right? Me too,” she said, still typing.

I watched as the Manhattan skyline grew closer with each passing moment, marveling at the unmatched character of this city. I’d never seen so many tall buildings in such a small space before. I knew that seemed stupid, but there was nothing like this in Southern California. I fucking loved it here already. Cassie’s phone beeped again. And then again, as I turned to her.

“Oh my God.”

“What is it?” I focused as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Cass?”

She waved a finger in the air. “There are pictures of us online already. From when we were just talking a few minutes ago. They look bad.”

Cassie shoved her cell phone in front of my face, and I stared at the three attached photos, all showing Cassie looking upset and angry while I stood there like a jackass. The Internet caption on the photo read: “Jack Hits a Home Run on the Field, but Strikes Out at Home!”

“What do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice shaking.

I tossed my arm around her shoulder, pulling her body against me. “There’s nothing you can do. We should probably be more aware from now on when we’re out in public.” Anger worked through me as I digested the simple fact that nowhere was safe from prying eyes. It was the one part of being a professional athlete that I loathed. I hated having no control over which pictures were posted of my personal life and when. I honestly couldn’t give a shit what they posted about me, but posting things about Cassie crossed the line.