Page 23 of Siren's Heart

"Sure you were," Asher shakes his head in fake annoyance and gives him a soft slap on the back of his head. "Millie, I can only apologize for this brute. I hope he didn't make you uncomfortable with the intense and direct approach he is known to have." He emphasizes the last few words to point out the sarcasm.

"No worries, he was a gentleman." I laugh and pop an ice cube into my mouth. Thank God they're bite-size here and not those giant ones that barely fit in your mouth. "Already introduced me to his sister and everything."

"Sure he did," Asher says, sarcasm still clouding his voice as he snorts a laugh through his nose. I don't bother correcting him, and I don't need to, because our waiter comes back with entrees and takes Kayla's and Asher's drink orders.

"Is everything alright?" I ask Kayla, while the two guys are deep in discussion about a certain beer on the menu and where it’s from. Luca’s guess is Germany, while Asher insists it’s from the Netherlands.

I didn't even realize they serve something as normal as beer here. The whole drink menu consisted of drinks I'd never heard of, combined with brands I couldn’t even attempt to pronounce correctly. I had no idea beer was among them.

"I'm not so sure," Kayla answers quietly and scrunches her nose as she digs around the small salad with her fork, trying to pierce one of the tomatoes. "The paparazzi got pictures of Asher and me walking inside the restaurant, so I'm kind of expecting Naroa to blow up my phone any moment now."

Fuck. The media might like her better than me, but I’m pretty sure she’s making tomorrow’s headlines either way.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," I try to assure her, and myself, patting her arm distractedly. "Maybe the two of us should just leave together. We could paint it like a coincidence that you arrived here at the same time."

"I don't think that will work." She chuckles, followed by a deep sigh. “They saw us get out of the same car, and when they started crowding us, Asher took my hand. It’s one hundred percent going to make the news. Social media is probably freaking out already.”

I've heard many of those sighs recently, but she dismisses all my worried questions about what’s going on with her. I can tell something is gnawing at her, though, and I hate seeing her unhappy. Hopefully, whatever is on her mind will resolve itself soon. But this evening is not the time to worry.

“I’m sure Naroa’s got it,” I assure her, patting her hand.

Both of us shift our attention to the guys sitting in front of us in an attempt to join the conversation.

I feel like an ass for thinking it, but I kind of wish Asher and Kayla didn't make it here. Luca and I had such an amazing conversation. Talking to him felt comfortable, and I was really warming up to him, but now it feels like all the butterflies in my stomach are hibernating.

Don't get me wrong, they're still there, but it's harder to feel my feelings now that two more people are sitting at this table with us.

"Do you already know which teams you're playing in?" I try to enter the conversation. Luca and Asher glance at each other before both their faces split into wide smiles.

"Oh, we know," Asher starts, quickly interrupted by Luca.

"And it's going to be a shitshow."

"So much fun," Asher adds. "But a shitshow."

I tilt my head and look at them, confused. "Why? Are they adding real toddlers to the mix?"

"No, worse," Asher chuckles and rubs his hands together mischievously. Like a little raccoon about to wash his food in a river stream. "They've split up the Walker brothers. Reed and Tanner are with Team Friendship, that’s us, and Adam and Jackson with Team Hollywood. Boring name if you ask me."

Kayla's and my eyes grow wide. None of the Walker brothers are really known for their mellowness, and everyone knows that together, they're a rowdy bunch. And from what I’ve read in interviews, they’re taking this match as the perfect opportunity to fight out some year-long grievances.

"I am totally placing a bet that one of them will break at least one bone before the match day," Kayla announces, shock clouding her voice. She forces herself to talk more quietly when the waiter comes to collect our now empty plates. "What are they thinking?"

"I'm pretty sure they’re counting on getting more views if they get into a brawl," Luca says softly and crosses his arms in front of his chest. It makes his biceps pop.

Just something I'm noticing, no biggie. I totally don’t find that panty-drenching hot.

"As long as I'm not in the middle of it, they can beat each other up for all I care," he adds and takes a sip of his water.

"They better not do it before game day, though," Kayla adds, shaking her head. "From what Naroa let simmer through, there aren't any backup players."

"No wonder there aren’t. The training is brutal," Luca sighs deeply and rubs his hand across his face. "They did the smart thing by not participating. It’s not at all what I expected."

"What did you expect?" I ask him, feeling Kayla staring holes into my face when she notices the teasing undertone I can’t hold back. "Did you think they'd just put you on the field and televise bodybuilders huffing and puffing after five minutes of actual play?"

"I, and a lot of the other guys, were surely hoping that," Luca answers me with a wink, and one of his dimples shows on his cheek as he smirks.

"Well, way to build up stamina," Asher interjects, wiggling his eyebrows. "I'm pretty sure you need it."

---