“Thank you.” He touched my chest. “So do you. But then, you were always attractive in form-fitting shirts.” His gaze fell on my groin. “And form-fitting jeans.” Biting his lip, his cheeks reddened.
So, he still found me attractive. That was a start. “Come on and formally meet the guys.” I grabbed his hand and led him to the table. Following the conversation with Malik the other night, I wouldn’t let Wren stray too far from me.
As we reached the table, Wren greeted Malik and Tex with handshakes and side-hugs. “You guys won tonight by what, three touchdowns?” He sipped his drink.
“Yep, after the first half, Texas had no chance to recover.” Malik threw a grin at me. “And with Eli’s catch, it clinched it.” He patted my shoulder.
Of course, he’d talk me up in front of Wren. “I intended to sack their quarterback. Seeing the ball coming at me surprised the hell out of me.” I swung my arm around Wren’s waist and hung my hand on his hip.
“You might be big, but you’ve got the reflexes of a cat.” Malik held his hands up, curling his fingers as if he had claws. “Roar.”
“Stop it.” Now he was being silly. As we all chuckled, I peeked at Wren, his body heat shivering across my side. Damn it, this felt like old times, and he wasn’t moving away.
“Well, it was hard as hell to stay motivated to cheer when the bleachers cleared out with five minutes left in the game.” Wren slipped me a smirk. “What was the point?”
I drank my beer, edging closer to Wren’s side, the scent of his floral shampoo washing over me. He used the same one as inhigh school. Damn, it brought back memories of our quiet moments.
“I hear ya. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused in the game when we’re just playing out the clock. But we have to.” Tex held his beer glass up. “To winning.”
“To winning,” we all said in unison and tapped his glass.
“Where’s the quarterback? Isn’t he a friend of yours too?” Wren swung his gaze around the area.
“He’s got a boyfriend now. A mechanic. I doubt we’ll be able to get him in here for a while.” Tex drank more beer.
With a nod, Wren downed the rest of his drink. “That went down fast.” He chuckled and peered into the cup, now filled with only ice.
“Let’s get you another one.” It was my chance to have him alone without the guys inspecting my every move. Which I was sure I’d hear about later. Putting my hand on the small of Wren’s back, I urged him toward the bar where a large chalkboard loomed with funny shot names written in neon colors.
“Sure.” He twisted through men flirting and kissing and stopped at the dark bar top, resting his hands along the edge. “Hey, care to try one of these shots? They look like fun.”
“Sure, why not.” I stood behind him, my arms around his sides and hands resting on the bar next to his. “What do you think? A Dirty Boy or?—”
“Sucky Sucky. I like the sound of that one.” Glancing at me, he gave me a wicked grin. “Blowjobs are the best, aren’t they?”
I raised my brows. Was he insinuating he’d like one? From me? Hell yes. My dick plumped as heat raced across my skin. “They sure are.”
After a muscled, shirtless bartender took our shot order, Wren twisted in my arms. “Will you be hovering all night?” He tilted his head.
“Uh…” Shit, what should I say? He had my number. “Only if you let me.” I inched closer, my chest brushing his, my gaze falling to his generous lips. Could I kiss him and claim him in front of everyone in the bar?
His breath puffed against my cheek, and he leaned in, closing his eyes, then stopped, pushing on my chest. “Eli, I need some space.” His brows ticked down as his gaze met mine. “It’d be too easy to fall into old habits, and I don’t want that. Not yet.” He flinched and turned around as the bartender set out shots in front of us.
“I’ll get this round. You can get the next one.” Fuck, he’d rejected me. For now. He’d used the wordyet, so there was hope. A couple of shots might help loosen him up. I scowled internally.What the hell, Eli? That’s not cool.I paid for the shots.
“Sure.” He handed me my Dirty Boy and held his shot up. “To rekindling our, uh…” He raked his teeth across his lower lip. “Friendship.”
My gut wrenched as if he’d punched me in it. Was he friend-zoning me, for real? I had to stop it. Now. “Or more.” I tapped my glass against his and downed the fruity drink.
After taking his shot, he grabbed my glass and set them both on the bar top. “Eli, tonight I want to be friends. I need to get to know you again.” His eyes betrayed him as they focused on my mouth.
“Okay. But why?” I shifted my weight and flagged down the bartender. I needed another beer if he was going to cockblock me all night.
“If I’m going to rebuild trust with you, I need to be friends first.” He lifted his chin. “You aren’t the same person you were in high school. I see that. Iknowthat. But my heart has doubts.” He dipped his head, his hands wringing in front of his stomach.
I could see where he was coming from. Didn’t I hear it from callers into the center who’d been hurt by love? “I’m sorry, Wren, if I’m expecting too much from you too soon.”
When the bartender approached us, I ordered a beer while Wren ordered a vodka and soda.
