Page 22 of Power Play

Grabbing us some shots, I pass one to Sawyer before getting us both a lime.

“You know, I almost didn’t come out tonight. Every part of me wanted to stay home after my busy as fuck week. But I’m glad I didn’t. Tonight’s been more fun than I expected. I figured I was going to be stuck babysitting my friends, but running into you guys has been a nice treat,” Sawyer says, apparently becoming more talkative as she drinks.

But I secretly like that about her too.

It may have been a roundabout way to give a compliment, but I’ll take it, even if this isn’t a date. And it’s not a date. I’ve just really fucking enjoyed her presence tonight, and I keep imagining taking her over to the pool table and bending her over it. I wonder if her ass would turn pink, just like the fluorescent lights above us.

I’m so fucked, and I’ve only hung out with her once.

“Yeah, for as annoying as they are, those guys are alright,” I say. Looking over at our friends, I see Gwen talking to Trevor and Cassie, while the boys have all found a group of girls to talk to. It’s no surprise that it’s only Trevor and I trying to not get our dicks wet tonight.

I almost want to ask to see her again. However, the bigger, more stubborn part of my brain reminds me why that’s a bad idea.

Rory. I have to think about her.

I’m about tell her I need to get going, but I know the second I do, this happy little bubble we’re in will burst.

“Hey guys, I’m heading out. Are you walking back with me, Sawyer?” Cassie asks as she walks up. She doesn’t even try to hide her amusement when looking between Sawyer and me.

I guess I’m not the only one picking up on the tension between her and I—I’ll have to work on that unless I want Trevor and Harris to give me shit for the rest of my life.

To my surprise, Sawyer doesn’t answer immediately. That pause alone has me thinking she’s feeling something too. I have a feeling that if we had the opportunity, Sawyer wouldn’t be walking home with Cassie, she’d be coming home with me.

“Uh,” Sawyer starts to say.

“We can all walk out together. It’s probably time for me to head out as well. Trevor and I have an early morning tomorrow,” I say.

“Early morning on a Saturday? Ew,” Cassie retorts just as Gwen walks up.

“Did you win your jukebox battle tonight?” Sawyer asks.

Honestly, I have no idea what music played tonight. Listening to music is the last thing on my mind when Sawyer’s around. A thought that pisses me off.

Gwen looks like she’s almost blushing.

“Yeah, I did. Are we heading out now?”

“Thanks for coming to hang out with us,” Trevor says as he walks up. He gives each of the girls a side hug, making sure to look at me and wink as he hugs Sawyer. “Ready to go, Rex?”

“Yeah. It was nice seeing you ladies. Maybe we’ll see ya around.”

“Yep, next Friday. Trevor and I figured that out already,” Cassie says with a smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sawyer start to smile as she turns towards the door to leave.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you ladies then,” I say, watching Sawyer sashay out the door.

I shouldn’t be excited or looking forward to next Friday, but I am. I immediately feel guilty that I’m thinking about spending time with Sawyer instead of what I could be doing with Rory. Yet, despite my guilt, I’m already texting the group chat to see if my mom or sister can babysit.

Trevor is such a sneaky bastard.

6

REX

Saturday morning comes far too soon, and by six a.m., Trevor and I are in Central Park stretching before our run. Back in college when we played for the same team, we would meet weekly to go on runs around Central Park. It accidentally became a tradition, especially once Stella opened her bakery on the corner that makes the best sourdough bagels I’ve ever had. Then our tradition became a mandatory weekly meeting, scheduled and all.

I’m looking forward to the bagels even more today. The amount of tequila I still have in my body is ridiculous, and I could use something to soak it up. Thank God Stella stayed the night because there was absolutely no way I would have made it today without sweating some of this out.

“Fuck man, I can’t drink like I used to. Gwen and Cassie kept ordering those stupid fruity drinks, and man, I’m feeling it today. I feel like I have straight vodka in my veins,” Trevor groans as he leans forward, stretching his hamstrings.

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