Page 73 of The Games We Play
Mac glanced over his shoulder reluctantly. Dudley waved him over with a gesture that clearly saidI need help now.
Mac looked back at me, eyes warm. “Go on, have some fun,” he said. “Looks like duty calls.”
“After my drink,” I said, lifting the glass to my lips.
He gave me a knowing smirk before turning to walk away, leaving a trail of cigarette smoke and temptation behind.
But I didn’t move from that stool.
I had no intention of dancing.
Not when I could spend the rest of the night watchinghim.
22
PENNY
“I’ll be okay,” I said softly, pulling Aspen into a hug goodbye. She and Ellie were calling it a night—one shot of tequila proving to be one too many.
Boone stood nearby, waiting to play chauffeur. His signature smirk firmly in place as he leaned against the edge of the bar, watching Aspen cling to me like she might never let go. Her arms were locked around me with a grip so tight it nearly cut off my circulation. Ellie, tucked under her brother’s arm, was practically asleep on her feet, her eyes fluttering shut.
“Are you sure you want to stay here withhim?” Aspen asked, her voice low and pointed as she peered around my shoulder to shoot Mac a sharp glare.
Mac stood a few feet away with his arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed.
I laughed, stepping back from her suffocating hug and placing my hands on her arms, grounding her. “Yes,” I said, drawing the word out slowly, my head tilting with confusion. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Aspen’s eyes widened. She swallowed hard, blinking like I’d just caught her in a lie. “No reason,” she rushed out, waving her hand dismissively. “Nope. None at all.”
Something about the way she said it knotted suspicion low in my stomach, but before I could press, she slipped from my grasp like water through fingers.
“I’ll see you later,” she said. “Text me when you get home. I probably won’t answer, but do it anyway.” She giggled, flicking her gaze toward Boone with that smile that only he seemed to inspire.
One more tight hug, and then she was gone with Boone trailing behind, his arm lazily slung around Ellie as they made their way to the exit.
“You better behave!” I called after them, cupping my hands around my mouth to project over the soft hum of music still playing through the speakers.
“No promises!” Boone hollered back, tossing a wink over his shoulder before the door swung shut behind him with a final, echoingthud.
The bar was quiet now. The last of our friends had cleared out, leaving only Mac and me, the silence between us thick with possibility.
Mac moved then, rounding the bar with slow, easy steps. He tossed me a sideways glance, cigarette dangling between his fingers, the ember glowing faintly. His smirk curved just slightly as he twisted the lock on the door and turned the deadbolt.
I let out a long breath and made my way back to the barstool, dropping onto it with a soft sigh and resting my head against the cool surface of the bar top. I was exhausted, my body aching for bed, but I wasn’t ready to leave.
“If you wanna go home,” Mac said, his voice quieter now, stripped of bravado, “I can walk you before I clean up.”
I lifted my head and looked at him. His eyes met mine without flinching, like he really meant it. Like he’d walk me all the way back right now if I simply asked. Yet, there was a crackle in the air, one that told me even though he’d do it for me, he wished I wouldn’t say yes.
I shook my head.
“I’m okay,” I whispered. “I want to stay.”
Mac’s shoulders dropped ever so slightly, the faintest sign of relief softening his features. He brought the cigarette to his lips, took a slow drag, and exhaled with a satisfied grin.
“Good,” he said, voice low, like the idea of me staying meant more than he would admit.
I smirked, leaning back on the barstool, crossing my arms in a lazy sort of challenge. “So… what’s step one of closing up shop?”
