Page 10 of Breaking the Rules
“No shit.”
Grant beams with pride. “That’s great, Parrish. I’m happy for you.”
“Another for number twenty-two!” Justin calls out, waving down the waitress.
“It’s not official yet, so hold the damn parade.”
There’s a commotion at the bar, and we turn to see Preston staring down at what looks like a fruity cocktail spilled all over his front. Some chick with long blond hair presses napkins against his wet shirt, clearly feeling him up under the guise of helping.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” the girl says, the empty glass in her hand evidence of a drunken collision. “I didn’t even see you there.”
“That’s a fat lie,” Justin says under his breath.
He’s right. I can count on two hands how many times some random woman “accidentally” spilled her drink on me to get my attention. Plus, Preston is like six foot four and huge. She saw him, all right.
“It’s fine,” Preston grunts.
“I’ll order you another,” she says, waving to the bartender, but Preston is already pushing past her toward the front door, leaving her where she stands.
She turns and hisses, “Fucking jerk!” before storming off toward the bathrooms, a slew of equally drunk friends trailing behind her.
Grant and I exchange a look. Standing from the table, I intercept Preston before he’s out the door.
“Relax, rookie. If you’re gonna play in the big leagues, you gotta let them flirt. Rumors of asshole behavior spread like STDs around here. No need to take off after one spilled drink.”
“Asshole behavior? I’m not the—” He cuts himself off when he notices all the eyes in the room on him. “I’m not leaving. I’ve got a spare shirt in the car.”
I grin. “Go change. I’ll buy your next beer.”
With a nod, he heads out the door.
“We don’t have to haze the newbies with all these puck bunnies around. They do it for us,” Justin mutters into his pint glass.
“What’s the news on Nashville?” Grant asks, redirecting the conversation.
I sit back down. “They’re interested. My agent’s waiting to hear back from me on my decision.”
“So, if you say yes, what’s next?”
“I guess I move to Nashville.”
Grant furrows his brow. “Becca and the kids too?”
“I sure as hell hope so. I’ve gotta talk to Becs more. Make sure we’re on the same page and all that.”
Jordie leans forward, drama junkie that he is. “Why wouldn’t you be on the same page?”
“I mean, we are. She’s supportive and all, but ...”
“But?”
I scratch the back of my head, feeling tired already. I can’t imagine how my wife must be feeling. “We’re expecting.”
“Wait, another?” Justin asks, surprise written all over his face.
I nod in response. I’m still processing the news myself.
Jordie chokes out an incredulous laugh. “Ding, ding, ding! Round four?”
