The guys surroundin’ Andrew clocked me like thunder rollin' in—heads turned, beers lowered, eyes draggin' over my slick, sunburnt hips and thighs.
Danny licked his lips.
Matteo held a fist to his mouth.
Both would fall to their knees if I asked them to.
But Andrew? Coke bottle swingin’ from two fingers, his other hand trailin’ his bottom lip, eyes still on the beat-up Strat—the only thing in the lot that was makin’ his dick hard.
“Yo, Roxy,” Danny called out, half-teasing, half-thirsty. “You finally sick of girl-talk or you missin’ us?”
“Had to come over.” I leaned into my hip. “Was worried y’all forgot how to speak in full sentences.” I cocked a thin brow, eyes skatin’ around the circle. “Let me guess: Giants, boobs, and Madden? Or we still debatin’ which Dorito flavor’s the best?”
Danny barked out a laugh, turnin’ to Andrew, throwin’ an elbow into his arm. “Yo, tell her, bro. Full sentence. We were talkin’ ‘bout the economic collapse of the snack food industry. Very serious discussion.”
Andrew lifted the Coke, his grin lazy around the rim. “Doritos and titties.”
The crew broke out laughing, Matteo nearly spillin’ his drink. “For the record, it’s Cool Ranch. Always has been.”
I tipped my head, studying Andrew. “You look bored outta your mind. You need savin’ from these guys or what?”
Danny froze mid-sip, beer bottle hoverin’. “Whoa—back the fuck up.” His grin slowly stretched. “Rox flirtin’ now? Tryna slide in on my boy Harding?”
“Oh, shit,” Matteo drew out with a wide grin, all teeth. “The tri-state tease finally makin’ her move. Walked her ass over here on a mission.” He flicked his ash off to the side, bringing his cigarette to his mouth. “It’s all Harding tonight, huh?”
Ignorin’ them, I threw my gaze at Andrew, cockin' my head.
“What—am I makin’ you nervous? Too shy to speak for yourself?”
Andrew glanced at the guys, hand tightenin’ around his Coke.
“Look, you’re cool. But if this is more than talk… I’ll save you the trouble.” He leveled me with a gaze. “I’m not your guy.”
Shit got so quiet you could hear a car backfire in Hackensack.
I've never taken an L.
Nobody’s everwatchedme take a fuckin’ L.
I stood paralyzed in it, not knowin' what the fuck to do.
“GodDAMN,” Danny blurted, smackin’ a palm against Matteo’s chest. “Bro hit the queen with the‘I’m not your guy’like he was holdin’ the door open for her on her way out.”
Matteo froze, mouth hung open. “Yo, that shit was gentle.”
I blinked, swearin’ I misheard him.
Andrew was already over it, eyes cuttin’ back to the guy with the Strat.
A short laugh left me, and I nodded. “Wow. Heard you had a reputation. Guess it checks out.” My hand dropped to my hip, nails diggin’ in to scratch off the rejection. “Don’t even know what to do with yourself when someone outta your league talks to you.”
"OHHH!"the guys dragged out, fists to their mouths.
Andrew side-eyed me, his brow liftin’.
“Hey now—Harding’s a good guy,” Frankie jumped in through his fadin' laugh. “Don’t go roastin’ him, Rox. Bro’s just out here still lookin’ forthe one.”
My eyes sliced into Andrew, no play left in them. I gave him a once-over. “Bet you’re not even good in bed.”
