Shoving my things into my bag, I follow my crew out of the locker room, my mind churning with ideas of what Dani might like to do.
Shit, I’ve never put so much thought and effort into a date before.
Because she’s special. You know she is. Don’t waste this chance, man.
CHAPTER 27
DANI
Offside has a more relaxed vibe tonight. With finals on everyone’s doorstep, the usual hotspots aren’t as crowded. Students have got their heads down, desperately preparing for these major exams. It puts me in a salty mood. I don’t know why Harrison insisted I come in. One bartender would have been plenty with this traffic, and I could have been out on a date with Tyrell.
A shimmer moves through me. I can’t decide if it’s nerves or desire, but when I glance up in time to see the door open… and he walks through it…
Yeah, that’s desire. As primal and carnal as it can get.
My body wants that man.
From the second his lips touched mine I’ve known it. I couldn’t accept it that first night, and if I’m honest, I’m still struggling to get my head around the fact that… I like Tyrell Jackson. The shy, quiet boy from high school. Atlas’s right-hand man.
How is it possible?
The shift doesn’t make sense, but…
He notices me, his lips curling into a smile that makes my heart jiggle.
Ever since I turned up at his house, letting him know with a kiss (or a few dozen kisses) that I’m willing to try this thing with him, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about us.
I haven’t felt this way since Atlas and I first got together. That simmering anticipation, the way my breath catches when my phone buzzes with a fresh text from him.
It’s ridiculous and childlike, and I need to get over myself.
Which is why I clear my throat and try to play it cool when Tyrell slips onto a stool at the end of the bar.
“Evening, sir. What can I get you?” I wink at him, and that smile grows into something big and beautiful.
Shit, I’m so done.
I keep thinking it’s way too fast, and my roommates keep reminding me that it’s not, because Tyrell and I have been double-dating for weeks, then having our debriefs, hanging out, interacting, subconsciously opening our hearts without meaning to.
“What can you recommend?”
Licks of delicious pleasure whisper over my skin at the sound of his deep voice.
I have always loved his voice.
Even when I was with Atlas, I used to tease Tyrell that football was wasted on him. He should be a narrator. He’d always give me that headshake, a smile rising on his lips, but it was edged with panic at the idea of trying to read a book out loud or something. Trying to act out a scene or character. The thought probably gave him hives.
Resting my arms on the bar, I lean in close, brushing my finger over his knuckle. “Depends. How drunk do you want to get?”
And there’s that smile again, his brown eyes warm with affection. “I don’t need to get drunk. In fact, I’d rather stay sober so I don’t lose sight of this very fine view.”
Oooo… the boy’s got moves.
I can’t help a soft giggle, brushing my teeth over my bottom lip as I pull up a glass and pour him a water. “There you go, then.”
He laughs, downing half of it as if to prove a point.
“But seriously. Can I get you something?”
