Page 36 of The Drop

Things are fun when we are flirting together, and I’m bored with resisting it.

After seeing Josh earlier and realising I feel nothing towards him anymore, I don’t know why I’m holding myself back from enjoying Grant’s attention.

“I hear that mattress is pretty comfy.” He smirks down at me; I love how tall he is when he towers over me.

“Oh, it is,” I nod my head, when suddenly we both hear whooping as we turn to the table, Cami and Gunnar have potted the black.

We turn back to each other with wide eyes, realising we’ve just lost.

“Damn!” Grant says, “That TV was pretty sweet.” He sighs.

“You're strict on sticking to your bets, then?” I don’t know why I ask, I already know the answer.

“Oh yeah, you’ve got that mattress for life, I’m afraid.” He chuckles as Adam sulks up to us with another shot of tequila.

“Thanks a lot, Brookie,” Adam whines as Grant and I take our shots. I groan, half because it burns and half because I wanted to get rid of that mattress.

Brooke and I don’t manage to be alone for the rest of the night as we switch up our pairs with the rest of the team, and Cami and Brooke end up sitting and chatting together. When we finally leave, Cami has her arm firmly linked with Brooke’s, preventing me from offering her a ride in the back with me. I internally snort at the thought of a ride because, although it’s not the ride, I’m suggesting I can finally confirm that I’m not interested in hooking up with anyone who is not Brooke.

All the girls who had come up to me tonight, trying to grab my attention, I found myself brushing them off to keep talking to Brooke or just being near her. It was confusing as hell because I hadn’t felt this way towards a girl since high school.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to pull out a ring and settle down, but I know random hook-ups are off the table.

Looking over at her and Cami huddled together just outside the bar door, there’s just something about her, it’s how she gives me as good as I get or how I trick her into flirting, and instead of bottling up, she now plays along with me. She’s so God damn beautiful, too. Whether it’s right now wearing jeans and my jersey or dressed up for a party, she always looks incredible, and I just gravitate towards her.

Our sober ride arrives, and we pile in. Cami tries to convince the driver to stop at McDonald’s during the entire journey, while we all laugh because the driver is only allowed to stop at the rider’s house.

She’s unsuccessful, but when we get up to the apartments, there’s a DoorDash order sitting in front of the girl’s door from McDonald’s, and she lights up and thanks Bear before digging in while opening the door. Before I can even say bye to Brooke, she’s dragged inside, shouting a quick goodbye before the door slams, and we laugh.

“I didn’t order McDonald’s,” Bear says, confused, as Adam pushes our door open.

“Nah, I did,” Gunnar says, and I smirk behind his back. “She wouldn’t stop, and I felt bad.”

“That was a long list, bro,” Adam yawns, falling onto the couch and hugging a pillow to his chest.

“I assume Brooke will get some of it.” He snorts, moving to his room. “Night.”

“Night,” I call, heading to mine. “Good game today, boys. Let’s keep it up.”

“YES, SIR,” Bear yells, saluting me, and Adam throws his pillow at him, and I don’t linger to watch the fight.

Once I'm settled back against my pillows in bed, my thoughts run riot. I’ve got to convince Brooke to give me some sort of shot. I don’t know what it looks like yet, but how?

Every time we get close to crossing the line with our flirting, she pulls back and leaves me wanting more. She’s got her doubts about me, and I need to change her mind somehow.

I grab my phone and bring up her name, tapping out a text, then deleting it. I do this about ten times before sending it.

Grant-Get any of that McDonald's?

I throw the phone down like it’s on fire and regret sending the text; she’s already asleep,she looked tired at the bar. Stupid.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it.

Brooke-One whole cheeseburger, thank you.

Grant-Wow, big of her.

Brooke-Right?

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