“Who’s going?” Tank asked, even though he had no intention of joining them. He needed to get inside McKenna’s head and see what the hell was going on, try to figure out a way to get them back on track, and he couldn’t do that in a big crowd of people. Besides, he’d already made plans for the rest of their evening.
“Kostya, Andrew, Anatoli, and Victor. I think I convinced Preston, Chelsea, and Ally to come too. Chelsea’s mom is watching the baby.”
He smiled when he said Ally’s name. The guy had it bad for Chelsea’s best friend, something everyone—with the exception of Ally—could see clear as day.
Rook hesitated, then added, “And a few of the puck bunnies.”
Victor walked up next to them, overhearing the last bit and growling, “What puck bunnies?”
Rook sighed. Victor was not fond of the team’s groupies, so there was a good chance he was about to change his mind about joining them for dinner.
“Mindy, Elle, and maybe Kristie. I’m not sure who else.” Rook shot a look in Tank’s direction, a sure indication that he did know of at least one or two others.
They hit the parking lot, which was clearing out quickly, since the HR meeting was the last thing on everyone’s calendar for the day.
Sure enough, Lara was standing there, hanging out with Elle and Mindy, all three women chatting with Andrew, Kostya, and Anatoli next to Lara’s Porsche, which she had—of course—parked right next to Tank’s Audi.
“She’s relentless,” McKenna muttered.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “I think the issue is that no one’s ever said no to her. You know, as my girlfriend, it’s your job to keep me from going astray.”
“Tank—” she started.
“Come with me. We’ll grab some dinner and I’ll drive you back to your car after.” He was aware she expected him to drive her to the restaurant where everyone else was going, but he wasn’t about to squander this time with her.
“Fine. But just dinner,” she said, pointing her finger at him.
Tank crossed his heart, not caring if he went to hell for telling a lie. Because if tonight went the way he hoped, they’d be indulging in dessert as well.
“Hey, Tank,” Lara said, as they approached his car.
He nodded at her, annoyed when she closed the distance, claiming his free side as if he wasn’t holding McKenna’s hand.
“Long time, no see,” she murmured, curling closer.
Tank tried to shift away, but Lara was tenaciously clinging to his arm.
“We’re all going to Moe’s for dinner,” Kostya announced, happy that they’d gone with his choice.
“Cool,” Tank said, finally managing to shake Lara off. “McKenna’s riding with me.”
Lara frowned, but before she could offer a complaint, Tank disengaged the locks on his car, quickly leading McKenna to the passenger seat.
Crossing in front of the hood, he waved to his buddies. “See you.”
He intentionally didn’t add the word later. He’d text Rook when they got to his place to let him know they wouldn’t be joining them for dinner.
Lara was shooting daggers at McKenna when Tank pulled out of the parking space.
“She’s still delightful,” McKenna said dryly.
Tank laughed, because he could deal with a sarcastic McKenna better than a skittish one. “A real peach, right?”
She rolled her eyes, and Tank literally had to force himself to concentrate on the road before he popped a woody. He had no clue what it was about her eye rolling that got him instantly hard. If things weren’t so up in the fucking air with them, he wouldn’t give a shit about her catching him with a hard-on, but until he found a way to get them back on track, it was probably best to hold his arousal at bay, lest she run for the hills.
They drove in silence for the first few minutes, but it wasn’t the easy, companionable quiet he’d gotten used to with her. Instead, this was stilting and awkward, making it clear neither of them knew what to say.
Or at least, McKenna didn’t…until she figured out they weren’t going to Moe’s.
