Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Tripp arched a disbelieving brow, which Drew ignored. He was definitely over Angie, but he wasn’t about to admit to his brother that being burned by her had put his guard up with women in general, which resulted in a lot of one-night stands to avoid anything deeper.
His busy career—which entailed long days and sometimes even longer nights—had also kept him from seriously dating anyone since his ex, especially when he remembered the excuse Angie had given him for sleeping with another man. She’d complained that Drew never had any time for her, and she needed more than he was ready or willing to give. Which, at the time, had been true.
However, Angie’s issues with him had been a shitty excuse to have an affair, and there was no justification for what she’d done. She should have broken things off before riding another man’s dick, and her cheating was a reminder to Drew that his heavy caseload and schedule, especially now that he was a partner, wasn’t conducive to starting a relationship. Never mind giving it the time and attention it needed to thrive.
“Tell me you at least asked her out since you obviously can’t stop thinking about her,” Tripp said, shaking him out of his deeper thoughts. For yet a third time.
“I almost did,” Drew said, absently crunching the empty plastic bottle in his hand. “But Elliott interrupted us, and the more I thought about it, I realized that getting involved with her would just be stupid.” So he’d turned cold on her and let her go, he thought with a grimace at the memory.
“Why?” Tripp asked, frowning. “You said she’s not dating Elliott.”
Drew rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “No, she’s not, but her father, Roland Brooks, is Elliott’s boss, and their firm is a direct competitor to McKenzie Goodwin.”
Tripp winced as understanding dawned. “Oh, yeah, that might be a conflict of interest.”
“Also, about a week ago, my boss called me into his office,” Drew went on. “Our firm just signed a big European client, and the senior partners offered me the chance to head the legal team and represent the corporation in all their negotiations. It’s a huge coup, but it would mean a lot of traveling to Europe.”
Tripp’s brows rose. “That’s fantastic.”
“But not exactly conducive to giving time and attention to a new relationship.” He sighed heavily. “And honestly, it’s difficult to say no to that kind of career opportunity, which will require a lot of my focus and extremely long hours, especially during all the initial formalities.”
His brother nodded in understanding. “I totally get it. I felt the same way when I was just starting out as a pediatrician. Kind of like keeping your nose to the grindstone until you get where you want to be in your career.”
“Exactly.” Which was why Drew wasn’t looking to get attached to anyone right now.
As much as he hated to admit it, it was probably for the best that Elliott had interrupted them right when he’d been about to ask Georgia if she’d like to join him for dinner sometime. The other man’s untimely intrusion had snapped Drew out of his infatuation and made him realize just how complicated dating Georgia could get.
But knowing it was the right thing to do didn’t mean he lacked regrets about walking away from her last night. He was disappointed they wouldn’t get the chance to get to know one another better, but the last thing he’d ever want to do was put Georgia in the middle of his rivalry with Elliott. Even if it was, for the most part, one-sided.
Another group of guys came in to use the basketball court, and Drew and Tripp stood up, gathered their things, and strode toward the locker room.
“By the way, Georgia works for Aurora’s non-profit,” Drew said, tossing their empty water bottles into the recycling bin. “She recognized me from the bachelor auction brochure.”
“Small world,” Tripp commented, since their sister-in-law, Chloe, was Aurora’s sister. “So, I assume Georgia will be at the charity auction?”
The thought of seeing her again made his pulse race a bit faster, even though nothing could come of it. “Yes. More as a representative for Future Fast Track than a guest, I’m assuming.”
“I’m not thrilled that we got suckered into being a part of the auction,” Tripp grumbled, not for the first time.
“I’m right there with you,” Drew agreed as they walked into the men’s locker room. “But it’s kind of hard to say no when Chloe bats her lashes and says it’s all for charity, and Beck made it clear we should say yes because he didn’t want to have to kick our asses for hurting his wife’s feelings if we refused.”
“It’s not fucking fair that Beck is off the hook,” Tripp said, sounding peeved.
Drew opened his locker. “Well, I suppose that’s one perk of being married.”