Page 11 of Since Always

I cock a smile, knowing this kind of guy all too well. I know his game. Life has given him everything he could ever want. He has entitlement and privilege in ways people who have not seen it up close cannot imagine. He is young and beautiful, and a man, and white, and rich, and has perhaps never been told no. He is of my world, where things come easily, and where it is just as easy to toss them aside. My defenses are up.

"I have a feeling you'd make your way in, whether or not you are invited. I don't know if you know this, but your dad owns three sports teams."

"Super Bowl Champions last year."

I roll my eyes. "You should quit while you're ahead, Drew Hart."

He cocks an eyebrow at me. "Am I ahead? Then come take a shot with me. Let's go."

He takes off towards the bar and pauses only after walking halfway across the courtyard.

"Come on, Sloane Jr," he calls back at me. I don't want to like him; I don't want to fall for the charm. But maybe, for just tonight, I won't overthink it. I have no strings and no complications, and it's not like I'm not accepting his hand in marriage, it's just one shot. So, against perhaps my better judgment, I move to follow him inside.

I don't do this often, this kind of flirting with guys. For the last couple of years, I have closed myself off to the idea of romantic interests. Sometimes a guy will get my number or something, but I rarely follow through on it. I keep telling myself that it is just easier that way. I can focus on school and the heavy course load I've been taking to catch up from the time I took off. Plus, I just don't have to deal with the fact that there's not a big future with anyone I date in California, because I'll be moving back to Colorado as soon as I graduate.

Or so I keep telling myself.

It is not because of the dark-haired man who is somewhere in this very building right now. Not because I miss him, or because of how much I hate myself for what happened between us.

It just can't be.

"Bottoms up, Sloane Jr.," Drew says, handing me a shot. I take it and let the heat slip down my throat.

He shoots his own and takes our glasses to put them back on the counter. He thanks the bartender, and I like the way he does. It's a small thing, but in this world, with these people, it's not always a given.

"Is that a smile?" he says, cocking an eyebrow.

"It might be. I'm not sure. I'm still trying to figure out of it you are terrible or not."

His laugh takes me by surprise. It is loud and full and genuine.

He nods. "I am probably terrible. I'm a man, you know."

"I did notice that, yeah, and it is a big strike against you," I say.

"But I'm not totally terrible," he says and places his hand on my back as we walk to a quieter corner.

"Okay, tell me three things about you that are not terrible."

He purses his lips, thinking. "Hm. Okay, well, that's putting me on the spot, but I'll give it a shot. Let's see. Okay, I have a little sister. She's 13 now, and she's my favorite human being in the world. When I'm home, I will sit in her room and let her talk my ear off about the new makeup she's got and her favorite Vidtalkers. Also, because of her, I know more than any other human being could possibly know about Madison Dietrich's love life."

I try to suppress a smile and feign shock. "Are you trying to imply you don't care about the pop star love triangle between Madison and Daniel and Emily?”

"Oh God," he groans. "Please, please don't. You have no idea how many times I had to listen to Madison's new album over Christmas."

"I like your sister already, and have to give it to you; as someone with a much older brother who she has always idolized, that was a good first thing. Two more."

"I had a dog while I was growing up. His name was Benson. He was this absolutely crazy cocker spaniel we got when I was like eight years old. My mom had to put him down last year and I flew home to be with him when she did and then cried for days."

I nod. "Okay, we like an animal lover. That's a good one, although, I mean, who doesn't like dogs. But, you're not doing too bad. You've got one more chance, so you better make this a good one."

"Oh, I've got an ace in the hole, my friend. Last summer, I helped my dad organize a program for at-risk kids in the cities where our teams are. It lets them go to games and then they get to meet the players, it's a pretty cool thing we do now at every home game for all three teams. It wasn't like, my idea or anything, but when I heard they were doing it, I wanted to help. Honestly, it was the most rewarding thing I've ever been a part of."

"Ah, well, shit," I say. "You should have led with that."

"So, did I do it? Am I not completely terrible."

I cock my head, examining him. "No, I don't think you are. Don't get me wrong, I still don't trust you as far as I can throw you, but like... maybe you aren't the devil."

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