Page 29 of Love Shots

“I’m a fucking delight, Ty, and you damn well know it!”

“Delusional more like.” Tyler sniggered, sounding more and more like the carefree teammate Teddy remembered. It was good to know Ty was still there, lurking beneath the surface.

After a couple more jibes about his sunny disposition, Teddy decided to go all in. He told Ty about the date. What he was feeling. And even confessed how scared he was of royally fucking things up.

As Teddy listened to his friend’s advice, he realized for the first time that he was the reason their relationship had deteriorated. All these years he’d been treating Tyler with kid gloves. Trying to stick to light topics. For fear of triggering him. He’d known the man a eight years but today was the first time in three years that he’d shared something personal with him. What kind of friend did that make him?

“I’m sorry, man,” Teddy cut Tyler off mid-sentence. “I’m really fucking sorry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been a shit friend, Ty. I might’ve checked in with you, but it’s not escaped my notice that this is the first real conversation we’ve had in years. I’m a dumbass.”

“Well, I’m not disputing that.” Tyler paused, letting out a slow breath that muffled the line. “It’s okay. I’ve not exactly gone easy on you. I know I can be an asshole.”

“You? Never!”

“Ha-fucking-ha. Seriously though, man ... we’re good.”

Teddy felt something shift inside him. Could it really have been that easy to get his friend back? No. This was just the beginning. The first of many more normal conversations.

“So, when do I get to meet this Summer of yours? I gotta meet the woman that’s had you twisted up in knots for more than a decade.”

More like two decades.

“You think I’m gonna let your slimy ass near her?” Teddy chuckled. “I’ll wait until I lock her down if it’s all the same.”

As much as he gave his friend shit, he was more than aware of Tyler’s special skills with the ladies. It wasn’t just the blond hair and blue eyes either, it was those blasted dimples. Teddy had spent years watching women fall victim to them. Over and over again.

“Scared of a little friendly competition?”

“Scared you’re gonna scare her off more like ... with that ugly mug of yours.”

Laughter erupted down the phone. That was more like it. This was what his friend had needed from him the whole time. Well, Teddy had plenty more jibes and a whole hell of a lot more real life to throw Tyler’s way. Their monthly calls were about to get more interesting. Teddy even began thinking about his next visit.

Maybe I could take Summer?

As they continued to talk, hope bloomed in Teddy’s chest. The future was looking brighter by the second.

***

After a whole week of stolen looks across the bar and some pretty shameless flirting, Sunday had finally arrived. It was time for date number two. Teddy knocked on Summer’s apartment door, no less nervous than he’d been all morning.

“Hi, dollface.”

“Hey,” she returned, a tinge of pink highlighting her cheekbones. “Uh, am I dressed okay? I didn’t know where we were going.”

Excellent. A chance to check her out without looking like a perv. Her hair was down and styled into loose curls, and other than a pink shade of lipstick, she wasn’t wearing much makeup. As his eyes roamed over her flowy vest and tight blue jeans, he also noticed the signature black bracelets gathered at her wrists. He couldn’t help but smile. She’d always had a hippy rock chick style going on. Eventually his gaze made it down to her scuffed black boots. She looked stunning. As usual.

“This is fine.” His voice came out rusty, his body finding yet another way to betray him.

“Fine? That’s all I get. Jeez, Teddy, give a girl a complex, why don’t you.” She failed to cover her smile as she grabbed her keys and locked up.

More than happy to take the bait, he immediately spun her around and pinned her to the door. Letting his hands drop either side of her head, he made sure she was locked in. He delighted in the sharp inhale she took and the fire he saw dancing in her eyes.

Not giving her a chance to speak, he dropped his lips on hers and gave her a proper hello. A demonstration so to speak of just how good he thought she looked and what exactly that outfit was doing to him.

They were both breathless by the time he drew back. It wasn’t an easy task, letting go of those luscious pink lips, and it was even harder not to go back for more once he got a look at how swollen they were from his kiss.

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