“That’s because you’re arrogant as hell,” he slaps my shoulder, almost knocking me off my stool. Son of a bitch, remind me not to get on his bad side. If that was a playful push, imagine what he could do if he fought anyone. “Nobody wants to hang out with someone like that.”
“Then why don’t you go out with the guys?” It’s a genuine question, I’ve never seen him in any of the local tabloids.
“Because my mama would kick my ass if she thought I was causing trouble.” He shakes his head as if he’s ashamed of fearing his mom. I get it. My mom is one of the kindest women I know, but if she actually picked up any of the trash magazines, she’d give me a good ass whipping. “I do the same things the rest of them do, but I keep a low key.”
“That’s smart,” I agree. “I do too, except I’m by myself.”
“Dude, don’t even lie. I’ve seen the pictures online. You always have some hot chick hanging on your arm.”
“Yeah, and they usually get pissed off when I send them packing the next morning.”
“That’s because they’re looking for a payload. They don’t give a damn about you, just their fifteen minutes in the limelight.” He’s not telling me anything I don’t know. He glances up at the television screen and nods. “How do you think we'll do against them?”
I pick up my glass and take another long pull. At the rate I’m going, I’m going to need another one pretty soon. “It’ll be a win, easy. We just have to watch their defense. They don’t like—” I pause with my drink halfway to the counter at the sound of her voice. What the fuck is she doing here?
“They don’t like what?” Ross has no idea that the reason for my mood just walked into the bar.
I hold my finger up and tilt my head to hear what they are saying. Of all the places they could go in this city, and they come here.
“He’s probably out with his teammates. I don’t know why you’re worried.” Hazel’s voice is loud and captures Ross’s attention.
“Because, I basically told him I didn’t have time for him. Why did you pick this place, anyway?”
I want to turn around. I want to see her, but I don’t. I stay perfectly perched on my stool, waiting to see what else they are going to say.
“Hey man, is that her?” Ross whispers.
“Shhh.”
Hazel finally answers, “It’s the only place that doesn’t care about casual clothes and the drinks are reasonably priced.”
“I swear, Hazel, if he’s here, I will smack you.” She’s quiet for a minute. “I’m regretting coming out with you.”
“Oh, get over yourself,” Hazel admonishes her. “It’s not like you can avoid him forever. In case you don’t remember, he’ll be on the flight in the morning.”
They walk around the bar into my line of sight. I duck my head so they can’t see me, but I can still see them. They head to the opposite side of the room, and I can no longer hear them.
“Son of a bitch. Do I have some sort of unlucky sign attached to my back?”
Ross laughs and smacks his hand on the bar top. “That was the funniest shit I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your face that pale.”
“Shut up, asshole,” I grumble. “I can’t believe she’s here. It’s like Fate is fucking taunting me.”
“You know, you could always just go talk to her?” He points in the direction they went. “She’s literally sitting right over there.”
“Because being rejected a second time in one day is such a great idea.” I tap my finger against my chin. “Why didn’t I think of that before?”
Ross waves his hand to grab the bartender’s attention. “It’s not that bad. Like I said before. There are plenty of women out there who would kill to go on one date with you. Why are you losing your shit over one you barely even know?”
“I don’t know, man. That’s the part I can’t figure out.” I gaze in the direction they went. “There’s just something about her. She’s not like any other woman I’ve met before. She also isn’t afraid to call me on my shit. I think that might be one of the biggest things.”
“You mean that’s all we have to do during practice? Tell you to stop fucking up, and you’ll lose your ego?” He’s smiling, and that’s the only sign he’s joking. The bartender finally comes to our side, and before she can say anything he says, “Hey, Honey, can we get another round?” She nods, and he adds, pointing at me, “Make his, a double. He needs it.”
If he keeps plying me with alcohol, I’ll be lucky to make it to the airport on time in the morning. Changing the subject, I point to the television screen, “Back to what I was saying earlier, we have to watch their defense. They stick to you like glue with man on man.”
“That wasn’t smooth at all, but I’ll allow it.”
I’m going to sit right here, get drunk, and act like she’s not in the room. It’s all I can do at this point. Luckily, I have Ross to keep me distracted.
