Wild Zone (Rough Riders Hockey 4)

When he didn’t answer immediately, everyone read it for what it was.

“Tate, man,” Grant said, “You’re dating a woman who looks like that and lives in Paris? I mean, believe me, I see the appeal, but after what you’ve been through?”

“Shut up,” Isaac said. “Who cares where she lives? I’d do that no matter—”

“Don’t.” Tate’s bark cut into Isaac’s careless words.

Isaac put his hands up. “Hypothetical, man. I was just sayin’ you should totally getting some.”

“Jesus Christ, Hendrix,” Beckett said to Isaac. “Just stop talking. You always make it worse.”

Tate didn’t want to be here anymore. He pushed off the pillar. “I’m

gonna go hang out with the fun crowd.”

He jogged down the stairs toward the kids on the swing set.

Tate stared at the lush lawn beneath his feet, grinding his teeth. He wasn’t as mad about what Grant and Isaac had said as he was about the truth of their words. If Tate were advising a friend in his own situation, he’d have the same reaction as Grant. The idea of trying to hold onto her, onto whatever this was between them, after knowing her for such a short amount of time based on great sex was one thing. But doing that while she was in Paris, when her lifestyle overseas where men was concerned was admittedly open and casual?

No. Even the thought of another man touching her made Tate’s head buzz with anger. Worse, the thought of her wanting another man made him see red.

“Stop, stop, stop.” He ran a hand through his hair, trying to pull himself out from the lingering darkness that obviously hadn’t fully cleared from Lisa’s betrayal. He’d never been like this before Lisa. Never been a jealous guy. Which was probably why it had taken him so long to see the signs with Lisa.

“Uncle Tate.” Lily’s call lifted his spirits and dragged him from the pit. “Push me high, push me high.”

“Me too,” Amy and Rachel called in unison.

He got behind the girls and took turns getting them all up to speed as twilight turned to night. The cool air and the girls’ laughter helped Tate decompress and shake off the ugliness. He was going to have to face this and get over it. If not now, with Olivia, eventually with someone else. He couldn’t have a good relationship with any woman if the fear of cheating was always lingering on his mind.

Mia strolled toward him across the grass.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath.

She wandered behind the swing set and took over pushing Rachel. “So. You and the caterer.” She glanced his way. “How long has that been going on?”

“Not long, and I don’t need any more crap over it either.”

“Who’s giving you crap?”

“The guys.”

“Jealous most likely.”

Tate grinned.

“It’s nice to see you happy again.”

He nodded, shrugged. “Well, don’t get used to it. She’s just here helping out her family on a visit. It’s not serious.”

“You and not serious don’t go together.”

“I’m trying something new.”

“Is it almost present time, Uncle Tate?” Lily asked, her voice rising and falling from the swing.

“Dinner first, princess,” he told her. “But soon. And I hear you’ve got a pretty fantastic cake coming.”

All three girls cheered.