Page 63 of Safe Harbor
"I'm just buzzed."
He put a hand on Ryan's shoulder and gave him a condescending look. "Sure you are, buddy. Eat some food before you have another round."
Logan walked over to where Max was talking to a few of the other players as Ryan stared at him. What the hell was that about? Ryan was perfectly fine. This was his birthday party and he was just having a little fun. He was perfectly fine.
Which is why he had another Jack and Coke. That's why he got into an argument with Max and a few of the players about the best defenseman of all time. It's why he kept finding himself always looking for Lucy like she was his north star. She would catch him staring again and smile and he would wave at her. But he would not wave at her the way Logan said he waved at her. It was a respectful wave.
Another hour went by, another few drinks. He was feeling good. This was a good party. Everything was good. He was drinking and talking and dancing and having an awesome time. But Lucy had kind of been off to the side during the party. Maybe it just wasn't her scene, which was fine. He didn't feel like forcing her to be social or talk to his friends. He liked seeing her over there, hanging out with Sydney or Max or whoever else was moving in or out of that circle of people.
Except now it looked like Alex was in that circle. He seemed to be staring at Lucy and talking to her and — oh crap — put his hand on her thigh. Yep, Ryan had neglected his girlfriend for too long.
Well, not his girlfriend. His friend who was a girl but also was having sex with him. So that would make her something more than just a friend and she was definitely more than a girl and he would be able to figure this out and put all the pieces together if he hadn't had five Jack and Cokes. Was it five? He was having trouble with numbers.
Ryan walked over with a little extra swagger and smiled at Sydney as she made some room for him on the bench so he could be closer to Lucy.
"How's the party?" he asked Sydney.
She gave him a teasing smile. "It's going good," she said. "Is it going good for you?"
"It's going good."
He turned to Lucy, who was looking at him with a warm smile, and Alex, who definitely was not. Oh well. He put his head down on Lucy's shoulder and closed his eyes. He felt warm and calm, and the music seemed to fade away in the background. This was nice.
"Hey, rookie," Alex said with his Russian accent. "What are you doing?"
"I'm not a rookie and this is my girl."
"I'm nobody's girl."
He could hear the flippant tone to her voice. She was trying to be nice to Alex and let him off easy. Or she was trying to be nice to Ryan, who was a little drunk. Didn't really matter though. Ryan just snuggled closer to her. He wanted to stay here like this all night.
"You're my girl," he murmured.
"OK."
She gave him a small peck on his head and his arm coiled around hers. He could stay with her like this all night.
"You are a lovable ass," Alex told him.
"Thank you," Ryan said triumphantly.
Alex laughed at him. "I'm getting another drink, rookie. You want one?"
"I'm good."
"You definitely wouldn't make it as a Russian."
Ryan gave him a big smile but still had his eyes closed so had no real idea what Alex looked like in response. Didn't matter. His birthday. His nap time.
"Ryan, are you drooling on my shoulder?" Lucy asked.
"No."
Yes. He didn't mean to, but yes.
"Buddy, let's get you home," Andy said.
"This is my home now."
