Page 2 of Meet Me in the Penalty Box

I shrugged as I grabbed one of the shots and swallowed it back. The liquor burned as it slid down my esophagus, but I welcomed the feeling. “Let’s be real—you guys were probably here for five minutes before I showed up.”

Wes clapped his hand on my shoulder and gave me a swift shake. “Hey, buddy,” he said with a smile in his voice. “Linc was just missing you, is all.”

Lincoln laughed loudly. “I’m here for one thing and one thing only tonight,” he said with a smirk. “And you are not it, Cirone.”

“Bummer,” I chuckled as I grabbed one of the mixed drinks that Wes had. Otto, Mac, and Cole were sitting in the booth talking to some girls who had wandered over. A few of the other guys were here somewhere, but who knew where they wandered off to.

Lincoln stood up from where he was sitting. “I’m heading out to scope out the scene. Either of you want to come with me?”

Wes shook his head as he leaned back in his spot and slowly sipped his bourbon and ginger ale while pulling out his phone. “Nah. I’m just going to lay low for a little.”

Lincoln glanced over at me. “Cirone?”

I shrugged as I picked up my drink and stood up. It was the same thing Wes was drinking. “Fuck it. I don’t have anything else going on, so I’m down.”

Lincoln smiled and he began to wander through the VIP section. I followed after him as the sound of the bass pounded through the speakers and directly into my bones. It was loud as hell but the DJ had a nasty mix going, so I was feeling it as we walked down the stairs and into the main area of the club.

I waded through the sea of dancing bodies and lost Lincoln somewhere along the way. I didn’t need him as my wingman. I was highly capable of finding someone without him. Plus, Wes was a better wingman than he was anyway.

As I pushed my way through the throng of people, eventually the crowd broke open to where the bar was. My eyes scanned the area and I took a seat as I finished my drink. Setting it down, I ordered another when the bartender came over to me. Just as I placed my order, someone ran into my back, pushing me forward slightly in my seat.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry.”

The sound of her voice slid across my eardrums like silk and I slowly turned around to face her. She was still standing close and I caught a whiff of her floral perfume. The corners of my lips lifted as her blue eyes met mine. Under the flashing colored lights from above, her blonde hair changed hues with each flash.

She was petite and looked like I could probably bench-press her entire body. A tight black dress hugged her curves and I allowed myself the opportunity to quickly check her out as she moved to the seat next to me.

“There are so many damn people in here. Someone pushed me into your back.” She paused for a moment, pulling a credit card from her clutch. “Let me buy you an apology drink?”

Reaching out, I placed my hand over hers and pushed the card back into her small bag as I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything.” I smiled at her as she turned to face me. “I have a better idea. How about I buy you a drink instead?”

My eyes were drawn to her plump lips. They were stained a dark red from her lipstick and I wanted the matching stains on my own lips. “I like that idea.”

“What are you drinking?”

Just as I asked her, the bartender walked back over with my drink and I listened as she ordered a vodka soda. I assessed her as she was talking to the bartender. My eyes traveled over her high cheekbones and down her straight nose. She reached up and tucked her straight hair behind her ear.

She turned to face me. “Do they make their drinks strong here?”

I glanced at the bartender and took a sip of my own drink. “Usually. Judging by this drink, I think it’s safe to say they do. Is this your first time here?”

She nodded. “I just moved here a week ago for a new job. One of the girls I met through work invited me out here, but she brought her boyfriend and I’m not in the mood to be a third wheel.”

Luckily for her, I was only looking for a second wheel.

“What do you do for work?” I inquired as she got her drink and took a sip of it.

She set her glass down just as the DJ switched the song to a different one. “I’m a photographer.” Her face lit up and she began to move in her seat to the beat of the music. “Why is that always a question people ask when you first meet someone?”

“I feel like it’s an easy icebreaker,” I said with a shrug. “Plus, you did say that you just moved here because of your new job, so I figured I’d be polite and ask about it.”

This earned a smirk from her. “Ah. Trying to make it seem like your intentions are pure and wholesome, right?”

I laughed and shook my head at her. “My intentions are only the purest and most wholesome.” I leaned closer to her, my lips brushing against her ear. “I’m actually an angel and as innocent as they come.”

She snorted and pushed me back before hopping out of her seat. “I highly doubt that,” she winked as she grabbed her drink with one hand and grabbed my bicep with the other. “Dance with me?”

I grabbed my drink and slowly rose to my feet. “I thought you’d never ask.”

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