“Eva,” Gideon said sharply.
“It was good seeing you both,” I murmured, playing my scripted part before turning away and heading the few feet over to Cary.
Gideon caught up with me after only two steps, gripping me by the elbow and whispering in my ear. “She’s calling my phone and work all the time. I had to talk with her.”
“You should’ve told me.”
“We had more important things to talk about.”
Brett glanced over at us. He was too far away for me to see his expression, but his posture looked tight. People, all of them pushing to get closer, surrounded him and he was focused on me instead.
Damn it. He’d seen me with Gideon and it was spoiling what should be a wonderful experience for him. As I’d feared, the whole outing was a mess.
“Gideon,” Christopher said tightly from behind us. “I wasn’t finished talking to you.”
Gideon glanced at him. “I’ll get to you in a minute.”
“You’ll talk to me now.”
“Walk away, Christopher.” Gideon stared at his brother so coldly I shivered despite the heat. “Before you make a scene that takes all the attention away from Six-Ninths.”
Christopher seethed for a long minute, then seemed to realize his brother wasn’t kidding. He cursed under his breath and turned, only to be confronted by Ireland.
“Leave them alone,” she said, with her hands on her hips. “I want them to get back together.”
“You stay out of this.”
“Whatever.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “Come show me around.”
He paused, his gaze narrowed. Then he sighed and took her by the elbow, leading her away. I realized they were close.
It made me sad that Gideon didn’t have that kind of bond with them.
Gideon brought my attention back to him with a brush of fingertips to my cheek, a soft caress that conveyed so much love … and possession. No one looking at us could mistake the claim. “Tell me you know nothing happened with Corinne.”
I sighed. “I know you didn’t do anything with her.”
“Good. She’s not acting like herself. I’ve never seen her so … Damn it. I don’t know. Needy. Irrational.”
“Devastated?”
“Maybe. Yes.” His face softened. “She wasn’t like this when she broke our engagement.”
I felt bad for both of them. Ugly good-byes weren’t fun for anyone. “She walked away that time. This time, it’s you. It’s always harder being the one left behind.”
“I’m trying to settle her down, but I need you to promise me that she’s not going to get in between us.”
“I won’t let her. And you’re not going to worry about Brett.”
It took him a few seconds, but he finally said, “I’ll worry, but I’ll handle it.”
I could tell it wasn’t an easy concession for him to make.
His lips thinned. “I have to go deal with Christopher. Are we okay?”
Nodding, I said, “I’m good. You?”
“As long as Kline doesn’t kiss you.” The warning was clear in his voice.
“Same goes.”
“If he kisses me, he’s getting decked.”
I laughed. “You know what I meant.”
He caught my hand and rubbed his thumb over my ring. “Crossfire.”
My heart hurt in the best way. “Love you, too, ace.”
BRETT disengaged from his fans and headed over to the tent, looking grim.
“Having fun yet?” I asked him, hoping to keep him feeling positive.
“He wants you back,” he said bluntly.
I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“If you’re going to give him a second chance, I should get one, too.”
“Brett—”
“I know it’s tough with me being on the road—”
“And based in San Diego,” I pointed out.