Page 32 of Long Shot

The bartender’s head whipped around, and they made their way over. “What can I do for y’all?”

Mac looked around at the table. “Can we get a round of tequila shots?” She slid her card across the sticky wood. “And can you leave the tab open?”

Looking at the card, the bartender nodded. “Five shots, coming up.” Once the tab was opened, the bartender came back to the group. They laid out five shot glasses and sloppily filled each of them before pulling the tray of salt and lime near the group.

Beatriz stood and raised her shot. “To Mac, our quarterfinalist and collective sugar daddy!”

The group howled with laughter as they each downed their shot. Mac licked the salt on her hand, tilted her head back, and took hers. The liquid burned her throat as it went down. Wincing, she grabbed a lime slice and slid it between her lips. With each suck, the burning sensation dissipated.

When she had sucked it dry, Mac shook her head. A warmth grew in her belly. She stacked the shot glasses and slid across the bar. The group stood from their station and headed to the back of the bar.

Warming up, Mac unbuttoned the top three buttons on her shirt. As they pushed through the crowd, Mac couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering. Ginger’s was filled with gorgeous sapphics. Maybe it was in her mind, but Mac felt like more eyes had fallen on her. It was probably just getting her confidence boosted.

But it felt incredible.

Back by the pool tables, Mac’s group started dancing to the light pop playing in the background. A drag queen DJ stood behind the deck and spun new beats. Mac’s body started rocking to the beat.

Babs would probably be pissed about the drinking… but at least it was good cardio.

As the song built up, Mac jumped along, waving her arms in the air. Other people joined them on the dance floor, much to the annoyance of the pool players. With each song, Mac’s sweat started to drip down. Between songs, she rolled up her sleeves and let another button down on her shirt.

Not bothering with a bra, Mac’s sternum was exposed.

As the music died down, giving the DJ a chance to take a break, Mac offered to grab drinks for the group.

She lowered her head as she made her way through the dense crowd. It had gotten more crowded since she’d arrived. As she approached the bar, Mac scanned the room.

What the fuck?Her forehead wrinkled as her eyes landed on a familiar figure.It can’t be her…Maybe it was just some other blonde… with amazing legs and defined biceps. But the woman lifted her head, nonchalantly looking at the dance floor.

But when her ice blue eyes locked on Mac’s, she froze.

Mac pushed her way through the crowd, trying to get closer to Taylor. It had to be her. No one else had eyes quite like that.

When Mac broke through the people in front of the bar, Taylor was downing the rest of her vodka soda. Instead of saying anything, Mac leaned against the bar next to Taylor’s stool. Her breath caught in her throat, unsure what she could even say. After a moment, Mac licked her lips and looked at the mirror behind the bar where she met Taylor’s piercing eyes.

Staring through the mirror, Taylor sucked her teeth and sighed.

Mac laughed and turned toward her, no longer letting the mirror be her intermediary. “What? Are you stalking me or something?”

Taylor rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Mackenzie. After a decade, I still care so much that I’m willing to follow you around like a desperate puppy.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” Mac’s eyes flicked down from Taylor’s eyes to her lips. She wore a bright red lipstick, daring Mac to look at her pillowy mouth… the same one she had kissed dozens of times. “Look, the fitting was one thing. But then you came to my gym. And now, you’re sitting in my favoritequeerbar.”

Bringing her index finger to her mouth, Taylor shushed her. “Our secret?”

Mac shook her head. “You have to stop asking me to keep your secrets.” Grabbing the bartender’s attention, Mac looked around the bar. “How did you even get in here without being recognized?”

Taylor shrugged. “Eh, most people haven’t seen me in makeup. Besides, these lovely people wouldn’t dare out me.”

“What about the bouncer?” Mac rubbed the back of her neck, massaging the sore muscles. When she met Taylor’s eyes, her jaw dropped. “Taylor, do you use a fake ID?”

Sipping the dregs of her drink, Taylor giggled. “Maybe.”

Mac gawked at her. “That’s so high school. You have to let me see it.”

Taylor clenched her jaw. “Nope.”

When the bartender arrived before them, Mac turned to them. “Could I get five more shots, please?”

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