Page 25 of Waiting for Sunshine

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“It shouldn’t count, I’m sore!” I argue as everyone boos me after my shot.

“Yeah, yeah. A tale as old as time.” Tucker mocks. I stick my tongue out at him and Tank's eyes dart between us.

“Okay, how do you two know each other?” Tank asks.

“Keep up little brother,” Tucker ruffles his hair as he stands to take his turn. “These lovely ladies came into the bar to drink away Shane’s shitty week. Rubes hired her as a bartender. The place almost got robbed so I heroically punched a robber in the face when he was all up in Shane’s, and then we bonded over lunch one day after ahardworkout she and Max had.” Tucker puts all the major pieces of our meetings in a nutshell.

“Did I miss anything?” He asks, pointing his golf club at me and winking.

“No, Tuck. I think that about sums it up.” I laugh, taking a drink from my beer.

“Okay, so I say we play the rundown game.” Taylor pipes up. Leah, Lauren and I smile.

“What the hell is the rundown game?” Max asks.

“The rundown game is when you give everyone the rundown on your life. Since we have all met at different times and know very little about each other – except for us girls – it’ll be a fun way to get the rundown on everyone.” Taylor explains. I look at Max and his jaw ticks.

“I’ll go first!” Leah says, taking another sip from her drink. Tucker sits back down after making his shot, which none of us were paying attention to.

“I’m Leah Gates. I am 25. I went to UT. I teach Kindergarten. I’m currently working on getting my master's and I amnotsporty,” she glares over at Taylor - who I’m sure dragged her out here tonight. We all laugh at the remark as Taylor rolls her eyes.

“That’s how you play,” then Lauren, Taylor, and I all say, “thanks for the rundown.” and Leah does a little seated bow.

“Alright, I got this,” Tucker says, rubbing his hands together.

“I’m Tucker Landry, I am 36 years old, and the more handsome Landry boy,” he bumps Tank who puffs out an unimpressed laugh. “I served as a Navy SEAL for almost 12 years. I run my own architect company and I am currently crushing all of you losers at this game.” He claps and points to the scoreboard, arrogantly smiling. We all pick up random things to throw at him.

“Okay, my turn,” I say.

“I’m Shane Thompson. I am 25. I am an artist, turned bartender. I went to school at California College of the Arts, and recently moved back home when I caught my ex-boyfriend with his face buried between his assistants' thighs.Onour two-year anniversary.” I hold up my beer and Taylor matches my movement.

“Fuck Peter the cheater.” She cheers. It makes me bust out laughing when literallyeveryonerepeats her“Fuck Peter the cheater!”and clinks their drinks together. Everyone except Max, who is staring at me with an unreadable expression. The game keeps going –

Lauren Long. 25. Best real estate agent in Nashville. Was a makeup artist in another life.

Tank Landry. 31. Honorably discharged Marine for a back injury. Could still take his brother in a fight. Seeing what his next step in life will be.

Luther Sims. 27. Second best real estate agent in Nashville. Has a pet turtle. (wtf)

– and comes to a screeching halt whenTaylor Clark. 25. ER nurse, decides one of her rundown points will be how she’s seen an 85-year-old man’s penis. Tucker almost choked to death on his drink before she told the car accident blanket story that she’d shared on my first night in town.

“Max, your turn!” Taylor points to him, after finishing her retelling.

“Pass.” He responds, a hard expression replacing the amusement from a moment ago. Eyes dart around the group, but no one makes a fuss about it. Max doesn’t strike me as the “let me tell you about my life” type, so we continue the playful conversation without another word about it.

After laughing so much my cheeks hurt, we all decide to call it a night. I am happy it seems like Max ended up enjoying the night. He was two points away from beating Tucker which I feel would have been the icing on the cake.

As we are walking to the parking lot, Taylor asks if I want to drive home, but I secretly want to ride with Max again. Which would definitely make people suspicious since Ilivewith Taylor. I hesitate when she asks, and my eyes involuntarily find Max. He’s already looking at me, so when I turn my head our eyes lock. He must be able to read my mind because he instantly chimes in.

“Actually, she’s riding back with me.” He responds. Everyone stops and turns as if they’re waiting for further explanation. Which never comes.

“Ready, Sunshine?” He asks simply.

“Um, yeah.” He grabs my hand and says goodnight. Leaving my friends looking at each other and then back at me. I smile and shrug before turning around to keep up with Max’s pace.

I’m so hot for this man right now. No explanations are necessary, he just takes my hand and leads the way.

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