Page 36 of Playbook
“Live a little, Lo. When’s the last time you went out with someone new? Luke doesn’t count.”
I level him with a glare.
He laughs at me, not all intimidated. “I will go with you, if you want.”
“You just want to hang out with the Mavericks.”
“Duh. Of course I do. Why don’tyou?”
“He’s a total player.”
“Allegedly.”
“I looked him up.” He’s been tagged in photos with so many different women. He is enjoying the life of a rookie athlete, for sure. That’s great for him, but I don’t have to willingly throw myself in front of his wild party train. I have more self-preservation than that.
“It doesn’t have to be a big thing.” It’s apparent in his expression and tone he really believes that. Such a guy way to look at it. “Give yourself one night. Forget about that asswipe Chris, boring Luke, and everything else and go have fun.”
At the mention of Chris, I want to immediately deny that I have spent any amount of time since the engagement announcement thinking of him. But that would be a lie. Mostly, I’ve been imagininghim tripping and falling into the cake at the reception or having an embarrassing diarrhea accident. Sierra said not to kill him, but she didn’t say I couldn’t drop Ex-Lax into his drink.
“Going home and polishing off the last of the Riesling sounds more fun.”
“I polished that off last night.”
“You bitch,” I say to him.
“You’re twenty-four, not a hundred and four. There’s still someone great out there for you.”
“Brogan Six?”
“No, probably not. But it starts with saying yes. And I’ll be on standby if you need a quick out. Text me.”
“I can’t tell if you’re pushing me so hard because you really think I should go or because he’s a Mavericks player.”
“A little of both,” he admits honestly. “But I don’t know. He’s gone to an awful lot of trouble to apologize and get you to go out with him. Maybe it could be something.”
I do not have those same delusions, but I figure the sooner I go and have a drink with him, the sooner Brogan will realize we’re not going to be getting naked. Ever.
The bar is not far from our apartment, so Alec drops me off on his way.
“Text me if you need anything and before you head home so I know you’re safe.” A slow grin spreads across his face. “Or if you aren’t coming home, let me know that too.”
“I’m coming home.”
“We’ll see.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t bother arguing with him. I get out of the car and wave as Alec drives off. But there is a little spark of excitement as I walk up to the bar. I push it away, telling myself it has nothing to do with Brogan. Sure, he’s the hottest guy I’ve ever met, and yeah, the idea of kissing him isn’t exactly gross. But I’m not cut out for one-night stands. I like getting to know a person, going on dates, and all those beginning relationship milestones. Kisses turned into making out, then sex. Even if the relationship isn’t going the distance, I still like the buildup and tension before having sex. Even Luke and I had that and we were totally using each other for sex.
Noise blasts my ears as soon as I pull the door open. It’s packed in here. There are tables spread out around the space and the bar is in the middle along the back wall.
I step out of the doorway and move slowly toward the bar as I look around for Brogan. My nerves ramp up as I get farther into the crowded bar. I sidestep groups of people huddling together, talking and laughing, taking shots and holding drinks.
He’s here. I know he is. He texted and said as much about ten minutes ago while Alec and I were getting In-N-Out and chowing down in the parking lot. Nothing beats In-N-Out. Not even the free food and drinks at the game.
Stopping, I turn in a circle to look for him. I lift up onto my toes and get an extra inch to my height. And then I hear him. Or I hear a loud group of guys, and swivel around to find him in the center of them.
Brogan is standing at the bar with three guys who I assume are his teammates. I move forward, watching him.
He’s in jeans and a gray T-shirt that stretches across his broadchest and back.
