“I know. This isn’t my scene. Not most of the guys’ either.” He nodded to Connor and Lars, who had followed them out. “Most of the team likes to have fun while dressed. Hold on.” He left her for the kitchen, where he rummaged around for a shopping bag and stashed his nasty, wet sweater.
“You okay if we head back to my place?”
“Sure. Are you good to drive?”
He looked into her eyes as he answered, “One thing I will never do is drive while impaired. I had one beer while we were here. And no one does drugs. I mean, I guess they could try to sneak something in, but if they’re caught, the guys bounce ‘em. Booze? Yes. Drugs? No. That’s one thing I made very clear to everyone at the start of the season.”
“You made clear?” she asked as they said their goodbyes.
“I’m kind of team disciplinarian. But Connor agreed, and he’s team captain. Right, Connor?”
Their power center nodded as he nudged Damon out of the way and took Marlie’s hand in his then kissed the back of it. “You bet. It’s a fun party. Sorry you’re going, but so glad to have met you, Marlie.” The blond charmer smiled. “I mean, if you can tolerate this wet blanket, you’re made of strong stuff.” He paused and frowned at Damon. “Dude, that sweater is way too tight. Yeah, we all know you’re buff. But come on.”
Marlie tugged Damon away when he would have gone after his teammate, who flipped him off before rejoining the party.
Once in the truck, she turned to face him.
He didn’t like the serious look she gave him. “What?”
“Damon, I want you to be honest with me.”
“I have been.”
“Have you?”
He thought about it and realized there were a few small fibs he might have uttered, but all for a good cause.
“Well, ah, why do you ask?”
“I need to trust you. Fully.” She paused. “You and I are close.”
“Um, I know.” He pointed between them at the small space in his truck. “Not much room in here.”
She frowned. “No, dumbass. We fucked without a condom.”
“Oh, that. Right.” He smiled. “I want to go back and do it again.”
“So do I. But if you lie to me, I can’t trust you. So tell me. Do I have anything to worry about?”
He didn’t understand. “With me?”
“No, with your mother.”
“You and that mouth.” He smiled, but she didn’t smile with him. And he couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong. Had to be the naked chicks at the party. And, well, him half-dressed. Any normal person would come to the wrong conclusion.
Marlie hadn’t. Unless she had.
“I swear, Mickey puked on me. That’s why I took off my sweater.”
She just watched him.
“Ah, I’m not sure what you want me to say.” Should he tell her all the things he’d been holding back?
“I think you do,” she said softly.
Baffled and more than a little worried, he blurted, “I promise you. I had no idea Bubbles and Vicki would take off their tops when Lars dared them to. I think they were comparing cup sizes or something.””
“Wait. One of them is actually named Bubbles?”
