Page 3 of Some Like It Hot

With anyone but Justin Prick of the Year Travers.

No way did Travers blow her mind, though.

No fucking way.

“Yeah,” I finally answer nonchalantly. “Depends on the girl and the guy, or guys, I suppose, but I don’t have a reason to say no across the board.”

Hayes looks surprised. “No kidding.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“You’re just not very social and that would be…pretty damned social.”

I actually feel myself grin. “Would it though?”

“Let me guess,” Ryan says. “You’re not a big talker, even in bed.”

“Not true,” I tell him. “The things I can talk about in bed happen to be some of my favorite topics.”

McNeill laughs. “So you’re chatty and gregarious in bed? Good to know.”

Gregarious is pushing it. “Let’s put it this way. On my list of top ten favorite things, breasts and pussy make the top two. So yes, I tend to be enthusiastic. And when it comes to talking, I don’t just use the letters STFUATTDLAGG.”

Hayes frowns. “What’s that stand for?”

McNeill and I share a grin. “Google it,” I tell Jack.

“I have to know. What else is in your top ten?” Alexsei asks. “And please don’t say your hair.”

That makes me snort. “Beer, West Wing reruns, sharks, hockey, fishing, donuts, my grandmother, and hammocks. Not necessarily in that order.”

They’re all just looking at me now with varying degrees of surprise and amusement.

“And on that note,” McNeill says. “I’ve gotta go.”

He heads for the elevators and Alexsei beelines for Luna and Owen, leaving Jack and me at the table finishing our drinks.

“I guess my Top Ten was a party buzz kill,” I tell Hayes.

“No shit. Where the hell do we go with sharks and hammocks?” He grins. “You stayin’ til midnight, you sentimental bastard?”

I sigh. That’s still an hour away. I don’t want to. I’m fucking tired.

I’m only twenty-nine, but I don’t recover after games the way I used to. My hip pain that used to only occur every once in a while has been getting more and more frequent and now it’s after every game, in spite of top-notch medical care from the Racketeers physicians and physical therapists.

I really probably should have hung it up after last season, but God, we were so close. I know we’re going to win the championship this year. I’ve got one more season in me.

“Nah,” I say. “I think I’d rather ring in the new year in my hot tub, to be honest.”

Hayes nods. “Then you won’t mind if I ditch you to go talk to the waitress?”

I follow his gaze to the pretty blonde who has been circulating with trays of hors d'oeuvres all night. I had noticed that we had plenty to eat all night. Now I realize she had an ulterior motive.

“Absolutely not. Go for it,” I tell him.

He grins. “Thanks. Happy new year.”

“Happy new year, man.”

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