Page 107 of Playbook
“Are you sure? If it’s weird, we can just hit up a Jack in the Box drive-thru on the way home and I’m sure everyone will be just as happy.”
I bark out a laugh. “Consider that added to the schedule afterward.”
Her smile widens, and fuck does it hit me right in the chest. “Okay. If you’re sure it’s not too much. I know Sierra would love it.”
“Let’s do it then.”
It’s embarrassingly easy to get us in at Gaga. The bouncer recognizes me, and I thank him as he holds the rope open for all of us, no questions asked.
I didn’t think or I would have called ahead to see about VIP, but as it is the group rushes toward the dance floor. London and I head to the bar where I order a round for when they’re ready to take a break.
“What do you want, sweetheart?” I ask London while we have the bartender’s attention.
“Umm…” She thinks, leaning over the bar. While she gives him her drink order, two women approach me on the other side.
One has long, almost white, blonde hair and the other is a brunette with a headband that pulls her hair back in a way that accentuates her sharp features and heavy makeup. She’s pretty. They both are. A month ago I might have even tried to take one or both of them home. Fuck, maybe I did. I squint. No.Maybe.Nah.
“You’re Brogan Six, aren’t you?” the blonde asks.
“Yeah,” I say relieved that I didn’t sleep with her and forgot, but suddenly nervous and not sure why.
“I knew it!” The other girl steps closer and places a hand on my arm. “You are the hottest professional athlete in the state of Arizona. I’ve been saying it for months. Haven’t I been saying it for months?” She looks back at her friend.
“She has. We’ve been coming here every Saturday since we heard it’s your favorite spot in town.”
The girl laughs. “We’ve been trying to run into you for months.”
They introduce themselves but their names go in one ear and out the other.
My gaze slides over to London. She’s oblivious to the widehelp meeyes I’m giving her, and instead her stare is locked on the hand draped over my forearm. I try to sort of wiggle out of the woman’s hold, but there’s nowhere to go and she’s latched on tight. I don’t want to be a jerk, but I’d like her to stop touching me. The last thing I want is for London to get the wrong idea or feel uncomfortable. I just want to hang with her and pretend we’re the only two people in this club.
“Hi.” London steps forward, voice sugary sweet. Alarm bells go off in my head. My girl is friendly and kind, sweet even, but this is something else, and I’m suddenly nervous she’s about to tell me to have fun and leave me with my new stalker friends.
“Hello,” the girls say back in unison, then dismiss her by turning their gazes back to me. Except she sidesteps, blocking me. Well, sort of. I’m still almost a foot taller than her, even in her sexy heels, so I can see the confused reactions of the women in front of her.
“Ummm…” The blonde turns to the brunette and they exchange a look before their stares return to London. “Excuse us. We were talking tohim.”
“I know, and now you’re not.”
They scoff and then share a laugh. I’m still not sure what’s happening, but London crosses her arms and straightens, giving her maybe another half inch in height.
“Who are you?” one asks.
“His girlfriend. And I’d appreciate it if you kept your hands off him.”
“Girlfriend?” Their stares lift to mine. I don’t mean to grin, but it’s hard not to right now.
“Yes,” London chirps back. And if I didn’t know better, I’d say she sounds a little smug.
“Sorry, we didn’t know,” the blonde says.
“Well, now you do.”
They hesitate, give me one last longing look like I might stop them from going, then start to walk off.
“Oh, and by the way…” London’s words trail off until the women pause and give her their attention. “He’s notjustthe hottest professional athlete in Arizona. He’s a good guy who cares about his friendsand being a decent human.”
“Ummm…okay.”
