Page 67 of Stick Work

After he sets me down, his playful gaze goes back and forth between Elias and me. “No? So you’re free?”

I give a weird nervous laugh. “I wouldn’t say free.”

He snorts and glances at Elias. “What I really want to know is why you’re with a guy like that when you could be with me?”

“Rip,” Easton warns as Jenny puts her hand on my arm.

“Be happy Elias doesn’t have any younger brothers,” she teases and I already love her.

“Hey, you know you love me,” Rip says, and Jenny laughs. Rip turns back to me with a grin that says he’s clearly not done teasing. “So, what was that you said about later? You. Me. Elvis?”

“I…uh…”

“Don’t listen to him, Taylor.” Shaking his head, Elias drags me to his side in a possessive way, but there’s no doubt we’re all amused by Rip, who suddenly looks horrified.

“Why would she ever listen to a guy who used to eat bugs?” He nudges me. “I use the words ‘used to’ lightly.”

“What?” I ask with a laugh as I turn to Elias, who looks exasperated. “You ate bugs.” I can’t contain my laughter now.

“No, I did not eat bugs. I was on my bike one time, and I, uh, accidently ate a June bug,” he clarifies as his face turns a bright shade of red. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Elias embarrassed and I have to say it’s adorable.

“Bad luck,” Easton deadpans, trying to stifle a laugh.

Rip pipes up. “The first time, sure, you were unlucky. But I caught you circling the block at night, like some kind of insect-eating vampire. You liked it.” He rubs his stomach, looking rather pleased with himself. “You thought it was yummy.” He says those last words in a sing-song voice.

“No, I…” Elias gives up, shakes his head again, and throws his arms up in the air, defeated. Playing into Rip’s antics, he concedes. “Okay, fine. I developed a taste for them. Sue me.”

We all lose it, howling with laughter, and I have to say, I like who Elias is around these old friends.

Not done yet, Rip leans toward me. “Taylor, for the love of all that is holy, stay clear of the chapels here. You don’t want to marry this guy. The month of June will be nothing but a torturous bug feast.” He puts his fingers to his mouth, and makes exaggerated slurping noises. But then he stops, his eyes wide like he just had an epiphany. “Hey, I know, next game. Taylor, if we win, you go on a date with me. If you lose, you stay with the bug eater.”

“Jesus, Rip. She’s not dating you.” Elias turns to me, serious and protective, and maybe a bit…worried. “Did I mention that Ripley plays for Chicago? We’re going to obliterate them next game. So even if you take that insane bet, you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

I snap my fingers, pointing at Rip. “That’s where I know you. I’ve seen you play. I couldn’t quite place you, seeing you out of context.”

Rip puffs his chest out, looking entirely too smug. “Look at that. She noticed me.”

“You’re not hard to miss, dude,” Easton says. “You’re fucking Paul Bunyon without the plaid.”

I nod emphatically, and Elias narrows his eyes. “I was thinking the same thing. You could be a romance cover model.” A sound rumbles low in Elias’s throat. Is that jealousy?

“Yeah, I could.” Rip gives a little head bob, and polishes his knuckles on his shirt like he’d just been knighted. “I’m kind of a big deal, Taylor. You might want to take that bet.” Rip winks at me, and smooths his hand down his perfectly tailored gray suit. “For the record, I’d look just as good in plaid.” Blue eyes focus on Elias, and he gives him a devilish wink. This lumberjack is definitely charming. “So it’s on then? Winner of next game takes this beauty out?”

“She’s not some trophy to be fought over,” Elias grumbles.

“I won’t be fighting, dude. I’ll be winning. And look at that, Taylor. He doesn’t think you’re a trophy. But I do.” He jabs his thumb into his chest. “I’ll prove it when we kick some Boston ass next week.”

“Hey, where’s the love? Bring it on.”

We all turn to see Roman approach, his arms spread wide. Rip pulls him in. “Hey Romeo,” Rip says, calling him by his nickname, about time you got here.”

Roman runs his fingers through his hair. “Had to look good for the ladies.” He glances around and when he flashes a grin toward the table with the bridesmaids, they all swoon.

Elias leans into me. “Roman and Rip were best friends growing up.”

I laugh. “That tracks. They’re a lot alike.”

Roman pats Rip on the shoulder. “When are you coming to play for Boston?”

---