6: Hello From Andrew

Riley’s POV

The room was more than I had expected. The tiles shone so bright I could almost see myself inside of it. The chandeliers were all coated with gold bulbs. My throat bobbed as I swallowed my spit when we entered. People turned in our direction, their eyes widening when they looked down to see Jax’s hand intertwined with mine. Some of them turned their faces away, unable to hide their disgust of him being with someone like me at such a fancy event.

Well, it wasn’t just them that felt like I was out of place. I felt it too. I looked forward, trying to hold myself together. My skin felt hyper conscious and I suddenly realized how tight my heels were and how light my makeup was.

Maybe I should’ve used more makeup? I swallowed again, struggling to lift my head high amongst the many eyes that were boring into my soul. I turned my head to look at him, and he was in his usual element. He was flashing his white set of teeth to everyone cared enough to see it.

He must’ve noticed my eyes on him because he turned to me and with a smile, I didn’t know his evil self could produce, he asked, “are you nervous?”

I turned my head away from him, refusing to let him see me in this nervous wreck. “I’m good,” I said just loudly enough for him to hear.

His hands slipped to the small exposed part of my waist and he drew me close to him. “What are you nervous about Riley? Has your sharp mouth suddenly gone numb?”

I rolled my eyes at him. “I’m good. I just don’t do well when a million people are looking at me like I stole their place beside the very man of their dreams.”

“That's their business sweetheart.” He said, “you look good, there’s absolutely nothing to be nervous about.”

“Hmm,” the sound escaped from my lips and he drew me even closer.

“Smile,” he muttered as we passed by a group. "You look like you’re being held hostage."

“I feel like I’m being held hostage,” I hissed through my teeth. “I’m only here for the paycheck, remember?"

His lips twitched. "Then earn it." He whispered and walked forward, tugging me forward.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll try really hard not to trip and faceplant in front of Serena Williams,” I muttered under my breath.

He guided me through the crowd like we were a real couple—his hand firm on the small of my back, his stride confident, charming smile dialed to eleven.

“Terrence,” Jax called out and a young man in a velvet tux turned around to face us.

“Jax Maddox,” his voice pitching up tones in excitement as he smiled at us. “it’s so good to see you”

“It is good to see you too Terrence.” Jax stretched forth his hand to shake him “Great season, man. You’ve still got the deadliest serve in the game.”

Terrence grinned. “Coming from you, that means a lot.”

The moment Terrence turned to greet someone else, Jax leaned in close to my ear. “Guy’s been juicing on steroids since 2019. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

My brows shot up. “What?”

But he was already pulling me toward the next person.

“Alana,” Jax greeted a curvy middle-aged woman in a red gown. “Looking stunning as always. Still crushing on the court?”

She winked and jiggled her chest at him. “Only when I’m not too distracted by charming men like you.”

He laughed politely and moved on, his grip on my waist tightening just slightly as he leaned in close.

“She’s got five restraining orders and a thing for breaking tennis rackets over her exes’ heads,” he muttered into my ear. “Smile pretty.”

I turned my head toward him, my mouth half-open in disbelief. “What-”

“Don’t,” he hushed in a low tone. “You’re here to look good, not start drama.”

I bit my tongue and forced a smile for the next set of guests.

We stopped again.

“Bryce!” Jax clapped an older man on the shoulder. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

They exchanged pleasantries, and right before we stepped away, Jax tilted his head toward me and whispered, “Old man’s had two hair transplants in turkey and three secret divorces. But still pretends he’s wholesome for brand deals.”

“Jesus,” I hissed under my breath, “do you actually like anyone here?”

He smirked, ignoring my question.

I rolled my eyes. Every time I opened my mouth to say something and contribute to the conversations, his hand would subtly tighten on my waist like a silent warning: Don’t even try it. I was his arm candy for the night. Not Riley Harper, queen of sarcasm. Just a pretty face in a borrowed dress.

And God, it was infuriating.

I was about to throw a very well-rehearsed eye roll at him when my eyes caught someone—someone who made my entire body go still.

For a second, I froze.

No way. No freaking way.

I blinked once. Then twice, but he didn’t vanish.

Across the room, standing under a ridiculously shining chandelier, wearing a tux and that same smug smirk I once fell for… was Andrew. My ex. My lying, manipulative, disappeared-with-my-savings ex.

He stood across the room wearing an expensive smile and a suit that screamed “I’m doing better than you.”

What the hell was he doing here? How did he get an invite?

My heart started to pound, kicking against my ribs. I turned my face away, praying he hadn’t seen me, but today was not my lucky day. Our eyes met and a smug little smirk curved his lips. He dropped his glass on a server’s tray and started heading straight toward me.

Fuck. My pulse started to run, thudding against my skin.

“Shit,” I whispered under my breath.

Jax caught it and his head immediately snapped to me. “You good?"

No. Not good. Very, very not good.

Andrew’s eyes locked with mine, and that damn smirk widened as he continued walking toward me like he owned the damn place.

"What is it Riley?" Jax asked again, glancing in the direction I was staring. “Do you know him?"

"Unfortunately." My voice cracked. "That’s my ex. Andrew."

“Well, well well,” Andrew drawled when he finally reached us. “Wow. Didn’t expect to see you here. Guess they let anyone in these days.”

I stiffened.

Jax’s hand dropped from my back and slid down to my waist, pulling me closer. “Can I help you with something?” he asked coolly, stepping between us.

Andrew’s brows rose. “And you are?”

“Her man,” Jax replied, eyeing him from head to toe. "You?"

Andrew blinked, visibly thrown. "Ex."

"Ah." Jax grinned, revealing his perfect teeth. "One of those."

His eyes widened and he turned to me. “You’re dating Jax Maddox?”

The disbelief in his voice made my skin crawl.

Jax smiled like the devil himself. “She has excellent taste.”

I could barely breathe, but I nodded, playing along. “Yeah. He’s… great.”

Andrew’s jaw ticked. “Right. Well, congrats. You always did know how to land on your feet, huh?”

Before I could fire back, Jax beat me to it. "Crazy how exes love popping up when things are finally good, right babe?"

He squeezed my hand like it was a signal, and I caught on fast. "Totally," I said with the fakest laugh I could manage. "They always show up at the weirdest times."

Andrew’s smile faded and I swear I saw his eye twitch. "Didn’t know you moved on so fast."

"Didn’t know you could suddenly afford a decent suit," I shot back.

Jax chuckled. "She’s quick. One of the many things I like about her."

Andrew’s jaw ticked. "Good for you."

“Yes, good for me” he said, turning toward me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, “she’s the best thing I’ve landed in years.”

Andrew’s fake smile faltered.

God, that felt good.

“Enjoy your night,” Jax added, pulling me even closer. “We’ve got a lot of celebrating to do.”

Andrew scowled and stormed off, and I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“Thank you,” I said, quietly. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Jax’s smirk returned. “I know. That’s exactly why I did it.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I wanted to make sure you owed me.”

I frowned. “What does that even mean?”

"It’s simple," he said casually. "I was thinking of letting you go home early tonight. Maybe after an hour or so. But now? That’d be a huge inconvenience for me. And since I just saved you from your walking trauma, you owe me."

My mouth dropped open. "You helped me just so I’d owe you?"

"Exactly."

"You are such an ass."

"And yet you agreed to be my arm candy," he shot back. "So don’t act surprised."

I crossed my arms. "So how long am I stuck here, then?"

He glanced at his watch. "The party ends around midnight. Could be one. Depends."

"Are you serious? Do I at least get tomorrow off to sleep?"

He stared at me like I’d just asked if the sky was green. "No. Why would you?"

"Because I’ll be working till one in the freaking morning!"

"And so will I, yet I’m not getting a day off" he said with a shrug. "We’re a team, remember? If I’m at work then you also need to be at work.”

I wanted to throw champagne in his face. "You tricked me. You didn’t say any of this when you offered the three grand."

He smirked; his eyes gleaming with evil satisfaction. "Next time, don’t agree to what you don’t fully understand."

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might shatter.

Motherfucker.