Page 27 of Play Maker

“I’ll have whatever that is.” I pointed to the pale blue liquid in the shot glasses next to us.

The bartender winked and slid one of the drinks over to me before turning his back to make another. I knocked back the shot that smelled like suntan lotion and gasped at the heat trailing down my throat.

Adam chuckled. “You really want to try this tonight?”

“Yes. Educate me.”

His lips twisted as he scanned the room. “Let’s start with finding a good subject.”

I hailed the bartender again and held up the shot glass. “Another please.”

In seconds, I had a refill. “What are you looking for?”

“My buddy, Taco Truck. Defensive lineman. Looks like he’d eat quarterbacks for breakfast. He’s the perfect beginner target for your flirting lessons.”

I choked on my second shot. “You want me to flirt with a guy named Taco Truck?”

“Yeah, don’t mind the nickname—it’s from his sister. He’s the shyest guy I’ve ever met. I think his brain turns off when he’s within ten feet of a woman.”

The bartender stopped by to grab my empties and raised a brow. I nodded at him. “Shouldn’t we start with the lecture portion before jumping into the lab?”

Adam gave up his search and relaxed onto his stool. “Nah, I want to see what you can do before I start giving pointers. He’s not here though.”

Relief shot through me, but I tried to play along anyway. “What about someone else?”

“I don’t see anyone else who would work for this. We need to ease you into flirting, not toss you in the deep end with the sharks. Lecture, it is.” Adam winked at me, and unlike with the bartender, a coil of heat unfurled in my chest. “Any place in particular you want me to start?”

My clit.

I scrubbed the thought from my brain, and blurted out the first non-sexual thing that crossed my mind. “Is there a uniform requirement here? What do I wear to give off the ‘I’m looking for a good time’ vibe?”

Adam choked on his water. “Youdo notwant to give off that vibe. Unless you’re just in it for a hookup.”

I frowned. “Why not? Iamlooking for a good time, though I don’t think a hookup would qualify.”

He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Please don’t start talking about your disappointing sexual experiences again. ‘A good time’ means sex. Straight up.Youwant a relationship. For that purpose, your clothes are perfect.”

“I need a better explanation.” The bartender left another shot in front of me, so I braced myself and swallowed. The liquor went down smoother the third time.

“Women looking for a good time usually don’t come to a bar dressed like the sexy girl next door. You look like you’re here to relax and have a few drinks. No ulterior motives or drama.”

I was stuck on the ‘sexy girl next door’ comment. “Can you be more specific?”

“It takes a lot of confidence to be comfortable in your skin, and a lot of people use clothes or makeup to boost that confidence. Especially since chatting up some dude puts you in the danger zone of rejection.” He eyed the new shot the bartender left in front of me. “And some people drink too much to ease the anxiety.”

My eyes narrowed. “Careful, summer bestie. You’re getting awfully close to sounding judgy.”

“And you should consider slowing down on the shots.”

Pass. The dread churning in my gut had finally abated, and I felt good for the first time all day. With Adam next to me, I wasn’t worried about anything.

“No, thank you. If I’m going to be living in my own personal hell soon, I might as well enjoy myself now.” I downed the shot, and Adam shook his head at the bartender. He wasn’t even subtle.

I shoved his arm. Or, I tried to shove his arm, but I only grazed him. The room spun a little, and my momentum tipped me face first into his lap. I caught myself on his jean-clad leg, forcing air through my nose slowly the way my mom taught me.

Adam’s arm curled around my back, and he helped me straighten. “No wonder you were tipsy the other night. You’re a lightweight, Sunshine.”

“I don’t drink much,” I muttered, trying to will the bar to stop shimmying.

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