Page 23 of Winning the Nightcap

“There’s not much to tell. Bec’s cool. We met when Dom and Ellie got married, and I’m taking my dog to one of her training classes. We’re friends.” I rush out, trying to be honest and give as few details as possible.

“Uh-huh…and was it your idea to be ‘friends?’” Chris asks, hitting me with air quotes.

“No way, not with the way you’re blatantly pining for her. I’d bet money on it. You just moved back. How’d you manage to end up friend-zoned so quickly?” Dylan asks.

“Fuck…I don’t even know,” I say, deciding that the risk of oversharing is worth it if I can get some solid advice. “I don’t want to risk losing her friendship, but I think there’s a chance we could be good together.”

“Just come out with it and ask, Aiden. See if she’s on the same page. If she’s not interested, no harm. You’ll probably feel awkward around each other for a bit, but then it’ll be forgotten and you guys can stay friends,” Jake suggests.

“I agree. And imagine it does work out…you two would make a really fun couple. Then you can thank us for your successful relationship and give us a shout-out in your wedding invitations. You’re welcome.” Chris laughs at his own joke. He has one of those contagious laughsthat captures the attention of the room and makes you want to laugh too.

“I know just how to give you two the chance to talk it out. Bec, where are you off to? Leaving so soon?” Dylan asks, pulling my attention to Bec as she pauses in the hallway, seemingly attempting to slip out of the party unnoticed.

“Yeah, I have a training session scheduled tomorrow morning. Sorry we didn’t really get the chance to catch up.” She looks from Dylan to Jake and Chris, notably ignoring me completely.

Not a great sign.

Fuck, abort the plan.

“No worries, we’ll catch up some other time. Hey, you’re headed downtown, right? Aiden was just about to order a ride since his car is in the shop. Think you could give him a lift?” Dylan asks. “Better to carpool. Go green and all that.”

Jesus, could he make this more awkward?I mean, he’s not lying. I was going to call a ride home, but still.

“You don’t have to…” I start to say, trying to give her an out.

“Oh, sure,” she says at the same time. Her face falls. “Oh, unless you’d rather not…”

Fuck, I just made it worse.

Trying to salvage the moment, I hurry and say, “That’d be great. If you don’t mind the extra stop, I’d appreciate it.” She offers a meek smile in return.

I think it’s safe to assume any discussions of being more than friends are off the table. Avoidance is easier than the disappointment I’ll face when Bec says no to me…again.

Chapter Sixteen

Aiden

“Thanks again. I could have called for a ride to save you the trouble.” I close the door behind us as Bec and I leave Dom and Ellie’s house.

“No worries. It sounds like your building isn’t too far from mine anyway.” She pulls her keys from her purse and unlocks her car. We walk down the driveway in awkward silence. When she starts the car and begins to adjust the heat, I hear a podcast come on.

“That’s it, baby. You take it like such a good fucking girl. Look at you on your knees for me, sucking me, tasting me.”

Wait…what the fuck?

What kind of podcast is this?

“Holy mother-trucker shitballs,” Bec shrieks, scrambling to find her phone, I assume to stop playing…whatever it is that’s playing in her car right now. The way her hand is flailing around in her bag, I assume it’s bottomless, making it impossible for Bec to find her phone and stop whatever the fuck is happening right now.

“Come on, Delilah. Finger your cunt. I know you’re dripping for me.”

She freezes, all efforts to retrieve her phone stopping completely. She slowly raises her gaze to meet mine. Her eyes are wide with horroras we both listen to what might be the most erotic thing I’ve heard in my life. Is she listening to porn? While driving? I file this information away for later…I don’t have time to process it right now.

“Oh…oh god! Oh fuck!”A woman screams, followed by a series of moans and grunts.

“That’s right, come for me. Then, I’ll make you come again on my cock. I’m aching for your hot, wet pussy, Delilah.”

I think I’m having an out-of-body experience. A first for me.

---