Page 28 of Play Maker

“Okay, I’m not sending you out into the dating trenches while you’re trashed. Why don’t you drink some of this water and tell me what’s wrong?”

He slid his glass closer to me, but I didn’t want to be responsible, sober Blue for a little bit. I wanted to make dumb decisions without overthinking everything. Ignoring the water, I scanned the bar until my gaze fell on the circle of girls he’d been with when I arrived.

I jerked my chin at them. “How about you tell me what a girl does to get your attention?”

Adam didn’t even glance over. “There’s not much a girl can do to get my attention if she doesn’t already have it. Either I’m interested or I’m not. The key is to figure out who’s interested.”

His explanation didn’t bode well for my future in flirting. “How am I supposed to know if someone is interested?”

“Sometimes you just feel it.”

“Give me an example,” I demanded.

Adam’s hand curled around my hip, and he pulled me closer, almost into his lap. His stubble brushed my hair as he whispered in my ear. “Did you wear this for me?”

I let out a laugh to cover the full body shiver he elicited. “I did not. This shirt was an accident, just like my presence here.” Somehow, I refrained from mentioning Eva. Something in me didn’t want to share this moment with her, despite wearing her shirt.

He eased away a few inches, but his hand stayed locked in place. “That was your example, Sunshine.”

The shiver should have clued me in, but my brain felt slow. Melty. Like honey in the sun. Suddenly, I couldn’t remember why I was trying so hard to find someone else. Adam wasright hereand touching me and he smelled so good.

I braced a hand on his chest and turned toward him, leaning in until I could feel his rapid exhale on my lips. “Is this how I was supposed to respond?”

10

She was going to kill me. The headlines wrote themselves.College football star dies from massive erection.How was I supposed to function when all my blood was rushing to my cock?

My fingers twitched on her hip with the need to haul her all the way into my lap. I wanted her wild, writhing on top of me. With one tiny shift, I could taste those coconut drinks she’d been downing on her tongue.

The reminder of her shots pulled me back from the edge of stupidity. Even if I wanted to toss out the lessons I’d learned about mixing friendship with sex, I didn’t take advantage of women who’d been drinking. Another point I should probably mention.

Later.

I gave her a little nod and eased away. “Yeah. That response would definitely get a reaction.”

Disappointment flashed on her face for a brief second, then she reached for my water and drained the rest of the glass. When Scott, asshole bartender and former friend, came back from delivering drinks to Holbrook’s group with his smirk firmly in place, I stood and held up my credit card.

“We need to close out.”

“You’re welcome, man,” he said quietly as he took my card.

I shook my head, keeping a firm grip on Blue. He’d never fed drinks to any of the girls I brought here before, but then again, I never paid for their drinks. Yes, Blue had asked for each shot, but he acted like he was doing me a favor by helping her get drunk.

Blue leaned against my side, propping her head on my shoulder. It was difficult to tell how hard the alcohol was hitting her, but her body was loose and curled around me. Compared to how tense she’d been when she walked in, I’d say she was flying with a solid buzz.

Not to mention the wholepersonal hellcomment. She hadn’t shown up here for me and our dating lessons.

Lars needed to know about Scott’s version of help, but not now—I’d send him a message tomorrow. Blue walked with me to the door, watching Holbrook and his ball bunnies.

“I don’t understand what they hope to get out of hanging all over the football players.”

Honestly, I didn’t either, but I’d enjoyed the hell out of the attention. “Not your style?”

“I don’t think so. I’d feel weird standing around touching someone without a goal. Despite my current location, I mean. Touching you feels right.”

“Naturally,” I said, steering her toward my Jeep and trying to rationalize her words. She didn’t mean them the way Big Mac insisted on taking them.

Blue frowned as I opened the door for her. “Where are we going?”

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