“Hey, guys!” I say as I approach.
Sam, Jake, and Wes sit at a high-top table while Asher and Charlie play at the pool table beside them. The place smells like a mix of weed and flavored vape smoke. My eyes sting slightly when I blink.
“Sloane? Didn’t think we’d see you here,” Jake says.
“I’m surprised you can see anything at all,” I say, waving the smoke away from my face. Adrienne walks over beside me, holding a bucket full of beer. I look down at it and ask, “Who is that for?”
“Us! Duh.” She sets it on the table and the guys look at her wide-eyed. “Good to see you guys again, though I don’t remember any of your names,” she says to them.
Sam stands first and puts out his hand, which is shocking for the otherwise shy one of the group. “Sam,” he says. “Nice to meet you again.”
The others go around saying names, and I tell her that Asher and Charlie are the ones at the pool table. Adrienne’s eyes linger on Charlie, with his tall frame and athletic build, and I don’t blame her. He played basketball here until he tore his ACL sophomore year, but he still trains as if he’s on the team. I don’t bother telling her he’s off-limits because, frankly, I don’t think Dani would even bat an eye if another girl swooped in and snagged him. Though maybe that’s exactly what she needs in order to commit.
I grab a beer from the bucket, even though I don’t like the stuff, and Sam pulls up chairs for us at their table. I take the seat next to Wes. He gave me a nod when I walked over but he’s been careful not to look my way since. The sleeves of his blue-and-white flannel are rolled up and I have to look away from the veins that pop out of his arms, leading down to his hands. Being this close to him makes me want to jump out of my skin. I want to grab him by the shoulders, shake him, and say, Just want me back, Wes! I just want you to want me back!
Sam and Jake are in silent competition to win over Adrienne, so I turn toward Wes. The swivel of the barstool makes it so my knees now touch his jeans, but he doesn’t move them away.
“How is your semester so far?” I ask, desperate to speak to him, to hear his voice.
“It’s tough, but it’ll be fine. I feel like I live in the business building. How’s yours?”
“Good,” I say, thinking of what Asher said about me not being Wesley’s mom’s first choice. “Actually, it’s great. I even have an internship possibly lined up for the summer.” I don’t, but I feel like it makes me sound like I have my shit together.
“Wow, good for you, Sloane.” His eyes look me over and with a small smirk, he says, “I like your hair tonight.” He holds my stare before taking a drink and it makes my insides flutter, because clearly, I’m not the only one still thinking about that night. Anyone else hearing that seemingly innocent compliment wouldn’t know the implication, but I do.
“I heard it makes the boys crazy,” I say back, and it was flirty of me, it was. But god, I can’t help it.
He runs a hand through his hair as he looks away, a slight blushcreeping up his cheeks. “You heard that, did you?” His voice now slightly husky.
I prop my head on my hand, tilting it slightly so that the blond pieces fall over my shoulder. “Yeah, but I can’t remember where now. Hm. Who was it that told me that?” I pretend to think about it.
He sighs, and my gaze drifts over the curve of his jaw, down to the muscles of his neck. I want to commit every detail of him to memory, so I’ll never forget.
“You’re going to get me into trouble, Sloane.” He leans in a little when he says it, and if I wasn’t already sitting down, I would need to. I open my mouth to speak when I hear the most irritating, grating voice behind us.
“You guys want to play?” It’s Asher, with two pool sticks in his hand, holding them out to us. I want to kick him for the interruption.
“Yes,” Wes says as he stands. “I’m going to grab another beer first. You guys need anything?”
I grit my teeth and grab one of the cues from Asher, looking over to our beer bucket, but Adrienne, Sam, and Jake have already polished it off.
“I guess I do,” I say. “But if you could get me a—”
“Vodka soda with a lime?” Wes finishes for me. I smile and nod. Behind him, Asher rolls his eyes.
We walk to the table as Charlie finishes reracking, and I ask if I can be the one to break it. I lean over the table, setting up the shot, when Asher grabs the cue stick from me.
“No,” he says, facing away from Charlie. “You can’t act like you’re good at this.”
“But I am good,” I say. “My stepdad taught me.”
“Well, tonight you’re going to be bad at it. Botch the break and ask Wes to show you how to do it.”
“And manipulate him? I told you I don’t know if I want to do that.”
“Just a few seconds ago you looked like you would do just about anything,” he says with a knowing smirk. I sneer at him as Wes walks back over. “All right, Sawyer and Wes against me and Charlie,” Asher says. “And Sloane wants to break the rack, so”—he gestures to the table—“have at it.”
I walk to the middle of the table and get into position to hit the ball, but I consider Asher’s tactic. I misalign the cue in my hands and strike, completely missing it.
