Page 74 of The Striker (Gods of the Game 1)

I squeezed. Dark satisfaction coasted through my chest when discomfort shaped the contours of his grimace.

“I trust the hundred grand will be in my account tomorrow?” I drawled.

Clive’s eye twitched. “I’m good for it.”

I believed him. He wouldn’t go back on his word, not when we had witnesses. He’d lose too much street cred.

“Good.” I released his hand and pretended not to notice as he discreetly shook it out. Simon and the rest of the guys watched us, their faces rapt with fascination. “And Clive? Don’t ever talk about Scarlett again, or losing a hundred grand will be the least of your problems.”

I walked away, his glare of resentment scorching my back. He was probably plotting how to get back at me, but I didn’t care. He could plot and sulk all he wanted. I’d made my point, and I’dtaken the edge off my frustration, which was what I came here to do.

Two birds with one stone.

However, the high from winning faded quicker than I would’ve liked. I only made it halfway home before a swarm of unwanted thoughts buzzed through my head again.

I drove because it calmed me; I raced because it exhilarated me in a way no drug could touch. Racing made me feel in control. Alive.

Tonight, I’d needed that more than most nights. Yes, I’d wanted to teach Clive a lesson, but I’d also wanted to forget about my kiss with Scarlett.

For fifteen glorious minutes, I had.

But now that Clive was gone and the race was behind me, my thoughts returned to where they always went.

Back toher.

And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

CHAPTER 20

SCARLETT

“That enough popcorn for you, or should I buy you another bucket?” I asked.

Vincent grabbed the bucket from the counter and arched an eyebrow at me. “I’m preparing for you to steal half my snacks the way you always do.”

I gasped. “Do not.”

“Do too.” He pitched his voice higher. “No, thanks, I’m not hungry.Ten minutes later:Vince, can I have some of your chips?”

“Oh, shut up. Like you don’t steal my stuffall the time. Remember when you stole my limited-edition Adele vinyl one summer because she was your crush’s favorite singer and you wanted to impress her? Then youscratchedit and tried to make it up to me by taking me to Nando’s.”

“First of all, Nando’s is great. Second of all, that was ten years ago. Youhaveto let it go.”

“Never.” I followed him to our assigned theatre. “That’s what little sisters are for. To remind you of your transgressions for the rest of your life.”

Vincent rolled his eyes. “I should’ve rescheduled my promo video and stayed in Paris. I’m clearly not appreciated here.”

“Wrong. I appreciate you opening your wallet.” He’d covered our movie tickets and snacks today. “I’m so lucky to have such a generous ATM by my side.”

He snorted out a laugh and ruffled my hair with his free hand. “Brat.”

“Stop! You’re messing up my hair.” I pushed his hand away, but I couldn’t resist a laugh.

Despite his overprotectiveness, inflated ego, and totally slanderous lies about my food stealing habits, he was a great brother, which was why my kiss with Asher felt like a betrayal even though I hadn’t meant it as one.

A needle of guilt wormed through my gut.

Don’t think about it.Today was about sibling bonding and the latest Nate Reynolds movie. There was no room for anything else in this theatre.