I sighed. Eventually, I’d have to silence the doubt in my head. Everyone who knew Eli stood up for him. He was out. He wasn’t the same man. I had to continue telling myself this. It wasn’t fair to shove the past in his face.
Opening my eyes, I pulled a few tissues from the container and wiped off. What would we do tomorrow? More than likely, he’d have a plan. I’d go along with whatever he wanted. But I wouldn’t let him pay for me again. That had to stop. I’d started feeling like I was taking advantage of the situation.
I rose from the bed and strolled into my bathroom, then tossed the used tissues into the garbage bin by the toilet. It was time to brush my teeth and go to bed.
NINE
ELI
Today would be a great fucking day. Wren was back in my life, and I would let nothing and no one come between us again. I hummed as I stood at the stove, cooking protein pancakes with sausage for the guys. Everyone would need something substantial after partying last night.
Malik ambled into the main room from the bedroom hallway, rubbing his eyes, his pajama bottoms hanging low on his hips, his dark hair sticking up at odd angles.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I sniggered as I flipped a pancake. “Did you hook up with the guy you were dancing with?” I’d left with Wren before the other guys were ready to go.
“Uh, yeah?” Lumbering into the kitchen, he asked, “Coffee?” He peered into the griddle. “Damn, looks good. I’m starved.”
“Did you and Tex close the place down?” I rolled a sausage in the pan, then scooped the pancakes, placing them atop a plate of others. We rarely stayed out that late, but we deserved heartier celebrations after a few wins.
“I think so.” He poured coffee into a mug from a carafe I’d made earlier and then added creamer, already set on the counter. “I started doing shots, so it’s sort of a blur.”
With my brows flicking up, I asked, “Did Tex do them too?”A wide smile spread across my lips. These two would hurt today.
He sipped his coffee. “I…fuck, I think so.”
“Do you remember getting home?” I’d been dead asleep after one of the best jerk-off sessions ever.
“Nope.” With a soft snort, he shook his head. “I think Tex took care of me.”
“Yes, I did.” Tex strolled in from the hallway. “You were a fucking mess.” He slicked his blond hair to his head as he approached us. “I almost thought that dude you were with gave you drugs or something.”
“No, we made a game out of doing those fucking shots. I’ll never have one again.” He sipped his coffee and leaned his ass against the counter.
“That’s what you say now.” Tex made himself a coffee. “Smells delicious, Eli.” He patted my shoulder. “Did you get lucky with Wren last night?” He waggled his brows.
After turning off the stove, I pushed the sausage links from the pan onto a plate. “Define what you mean by lucky.” With a smirk, I grabbed my coffee and brought the plated pancakes to our dinette. “And bring the sausage over here.” I’d already set the table with plates, silverware, napkins and glasses for orange juice.
“Yes, sir.” With a mock salute, Tex did as I asked while Malik rummaged in the refrigerator for the juice.
Sitting next to me at the table, Tex threw two pancakes onto his plate and a few sausages. “Lucky, as in did you get some?”
“No, but I made good headway. He’s letting me kiss him and date him. I’m good with that.” It was all I’d been hoping for. I added pancakes and sausage to my plate and then added syrup.
“Cool.” Nodding, Malik dropped into a chair across from Tex and piled food onto his plate. “When will you see him next?” He bit into a sausage.
“I’m hoping I can see him today. I suppose it depends onhow much homework he has.” I cut into my pancakes and took a bite. Maybe he’d have lunch with me?
“The games are on today. You should invite him over, and we’ll all watch them.” Tex stuffed a pancake dripping with syrup into his mouth.
“I think I’d rather be alone with him.” I ate more food. “Not that I don’t enjoy watching the games with you guys, but…you know.” I shrugged and sent a cheeky grin around the table. Now, if they’d go out for the games, I’d invite Wren over. Fat chance of that with the hangovers they must have.
“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll be napping by halftime of the first game, anyway.” Malik drank some juice. “Thanks for breakfast, Eli. I needed this.”
“I know.” I sipped my coffee and then hopped from my chair to snatch my phone off the kitchen island counter. Wren should be awake by now. After opening my text app, I tapped a message.
Eli
Good morning. How about lunch today at a sports bar?
