Calling the Shots Excerpt

Leaving me more time to fixate on Gracelyn and the frat bro at the other end of the bar. He’s leaning down, whispering something in her ear. I bet he’s sniffing her floral perfume and wondering what she’d smell like rubbing up on him. Anger surges through me as his meaty paw strokes her arm.

I can’t stand here and watch this. Pulling my phone out, I tap out a text.

Mack: If that dude touches you one more time, he’s going to have a few broken knuckles.

I smash the send button and glare over at the corner, waiting for Gracelyn to read the message. A few seconds later, she picks up her cell and glances at the screen. Then her head pops up, her gaze wandering over the crowd until her crystal blue eyes land on me. She holds an index finger up to frat bro as her hands fly over her cell.

Firecracker: Seriously? You don’t have a claim on me, Mack

Accurate. I have no claim on her at all. And that’s burning me up, from the inside out.

Mack: I know. But I can tell from here he’s not right for you

She flips her hair over her shoulder and shakes her head at her phone.

Firecracker: You don’t know anything about this guy. Maybe he’s Mr. Right

Mack: He definitely isn’t.

Firecracker: How do you know?

Mack: I told you I can tell

Firecracker: Tell what, exactly, from way over there?

Mack: Tell that he’s not me