Dev put his lips to Lover’s ear and whispered something, and a wide grin broke across Lover’s face. “Really? Well, if that’s the case.” He rose and flipped his braids, then rubbed his hands together. “I’ll be seein’ you, jokers.” With a swagger, he walked away, straight to a beautiful woman sitting on a stool, her long legs crossed. He leaned against the bar and ordered a bottle of champagne. They toasted, and I shook my head.
“Leave it to Lover-boy.”
Dev sipped his beer and shifted closer. The hairs on my arms rose at his breath on my cheek. “What about you? You must have them lining up.” His lips moved closer. “Or are you too good a boy?”
I stared straight ahead, hoping to God Dev didn’t feel the shivers running through me. I was grateful I was sitting so no one could see the boner in my pants. “I do okay. Not like you, though.”
Devil Summers didn’t get his nickname only for giving hell to his opponents on the field. He was a ladies’ man who went through cheerleaders and beauty queens like grains of sand slipping through his fingers. I’d never seen him with the same girl twice on campus. And yeah, I looked.
That was why his attention earlier confused the hell out of me. Did he know I’d been crushing on him for the four years we’d played together? I thought I’d been discreet, but it was hard to keep my eyes from straying to that perfect body adorned with all those delicious tattoos. He was so fucking hot, and I would willingly set myself on fire for him.
“Well, stick by me, and I’ll give you some pointers.”
We spent the next two hours eating wings and drinking beer, which I wisely interspersed with water. Dev had left our table to make his rounds, and from the corner of my eye I saw him tucked into a booth, nuzzling a blond in a tight Blue Waves tank top and tiny Daisy Dukes. Fascinated, I had the vantage point to watch his hand cup her butt and knead it while she wiggled on his lap and kissed his neck. Blazing green eyes met mine, and he winked at me before teasing those long fingers up and down her thigh.
“Jesus.” I sucked in a breath but couldn’t stop staring. I don’t know what shocked me more—the fact that I was watching Devil fondle some girl, or that he never took his eyes off me. My heart pounded, and sweat broke out all over my body.
Finally, he bent to whisper in her ear, and she nodded with excitement and took out her phone. She took a slew of selfies, kissing his cheek and clinging to his neck. Several minutes of the photo fest went on, and then he gave her a slight push off his lap. Giggling, she ran off to her friends. Dev reached for his phone, and I tore my gaze away and gulped the rest of my water. God help me, all I could imagine was Devil’s big hands on me.
What the hell was going on? Dev was my teammate. And straight. We were friendly but not close friends, and we’d played together for four years. I’d never gotten a vibe from him.
“You okay?” Vette nudged my shoulder. “You’re all red.”
“Yeah. Just drinkin’ too fast, is all.”
Devil stood in the center of the room. About twenty of us from the team remained. “I’ve got reservations at the Hawk. My treat to the team. Move it or lose it.”
The Hawk was a unique restaurant for sure. An elegant steak house in the front with a decadent dance club in the back, it was set on expansive grounds, boasting firepits and several outdoor hot tubs. Guests could stay overnight in luxury cabins.
Vette whistled. “Damn. Guess it pays to have rich parents. The Hawk istheplace down here.”
Dev frowned. “This is from me. It has nothing to do with them.” Without another word, he stormed off.
In our years playing together, Dev had rarely mentioned his parents. All we knew about the esteemed professors Summers was that they both taught at Ivy League universities—his father in Connecticut, his mother in New York City. Leonard Summers was a quantum physics professor, and Sandra Roan-Summers taught Medieval History and Classical Literature. Devil never let on if there was any family strife, but their absence from every single game for all four years—even this championship one in our senior year—spoke volumes. Despite his family issues, Dev kept a positive attitude. He wasn’t a bragger about his family’s money or how much he’d made from endorsements, but tonight it seemed he was willing to show it in a big way.
We all piled into the Sprinter vans waiting outside and took off down the highway. We finished off multiple champagne bottles, and by the time we arrived, all of us were a bit toasted. Dev waited for us outside and threw an arm around my shoulders as we were ushered to a private room with two long tables.
“Blink next to me ’cause he and I scored that winning touchdown. He’s my man tonight. Lover, you and Vette over there, and Dante, Trevor, and Purdy sit here.” Everyone took their seats while I processed Dev’s words that I was his man tonight.
If only.
Shit. How the hell was I supposed to sit for a whole meal with his thick, hairy thigh pressed to mine? Somehow, I managed to consume enough steak and potatoes to soak up all the alcohol, so by the time we moved to the club, I was steady on my feet.
“Let’s hit the club,” Dev yelled. “Anyone wants back to the hotel, the Sprinters are waiting. I’ve rented out cabins for those who wanna stay. Just ask Justine, the hostess.”
At least fifteen of us stayed.
The music was banging, and we took to the dance floor. I found myself a tall beauty whose dark skin glistened in the strobe lights. I ground into her, and she leaned in to kiss me. Her lips were soft and sweet, but they did nothing for me. My teammates catcalled us and clapped, but the more I tried, the less I was into it. All of a sudden, Dev joined us and pressed up against her while laying his hands on my hips. Again, those glittering eyes latched on to mine andvoilà.My dick sprang to life.
“Mmm, baby,” my dance partner purred. “That feels good. I wouldn’t mind taking both of you home.” She wiggled her ass into me while kissing Dev.
“Nah, baby. I don’t share,” Dev said. “I’m gonna get a drink.” With one searching gaze aimed at me, he walked away, and my desire vanished.
I gave my partner an apologetic smile. “I’m gonna take a break. It’s been a day.”
Disappointment marred her pretty eyes. “Okay. Find me later. I’ll be waiting.” A long red nail trailed under my chin, and she disappeared.
I felt bad but knew I’d be avoiding her the rest of the night. Bottle of beer in hand, I watched as one by one, my teammates hooked up or left, and then I wandered outside to sit by one of the firepits. Staring into the flames, I wondered if I’d ever be able to be myself. The loneliness was so damn crushing, and I wished I had someone to share the thrill of this win with.
