Why is that damn door so far away?!
“Nice seeing you guys, but I’m going to grab my tab from the bar and head out. I’ll see you all after the game tomorrow.” I stand and give Benny a hug. “Stay in touch, have so much fun, and keep your phone on so we can keep up on all things Taylor Swift!”
“You know it, girl!” Benny says, squeezing me tight. As I step back, I see our waitress walking by and flag her down.
“Excuse me, miss? Could I close out my tab? These guys can pay for the rest on their own.”
She narrows her brows at me like I’m certifiably insane.
What am I missing here?
“Is something wrong?”
“No, ma’am, nothing’s wrong, but your bill has been taken care of. The owner said your tab was on the house.”
My jaw drops, my brain struggling to figure out what the hell is happening. “I’m sorry, did you saythe owner? I don’t know the owner here. Why would they cover my tab?”
“Apparently, they know you.”
What in the Eras Tour is happening?
“Can I ask who the owner is?”
“Kennedy, how do you not know the own—” EJ starts to speak as Colton quickly slaps a hand over his mouth.
“Good seeing you tonight, Kennedy! We better get back to the guys. Catch you tomorrow!” Colton says, drunkenly dragging a protesting EJ as Natalie tries to keep up with them.
Well, that was weird as shit.I grab my purse and head out to grab a ride. How the hell would I know the owner? I shake my head, having no clue what that was, chalking it all up to the alcohol, and finally make my way out the fucking door.
The sting of the night air on my skin is a welcome discomfort compared to the battle that just ensued between my brain and my reproductive organs. When my rideshare arrives I collapse against the seat, the weight of the evening pressing down every inch of my body. My stomach twists that I let one annoying idiot doing a stupid dance ruin a fun night out celebrating my friend. An arrogant asshole flaunting his hot body should not have me racing toward the door ready to pull out every goddamn toy in my nightstand to relieve the ache between my legs. I can’t believe I let the one guy from the damn team that annoys the shit out of me show up and get me so turned the fuck on I couldn’t get out of the damn club fast enough. Grilled Cheesus, I need help.
5
jordan
Atiny piece of my heart and self-confidence fractures like a chunk of an iceberg drifting away as I watch Kennedy walk out the door. I couldn’t even muster up enough fucking courage to talk to her when she’s just here having a good time and not in an official ‘in charge of an entire airplane’ capacity. Why can’t I just grow a damn pair and say any word to her other than hi?! I run my hands through my hair, fighting not pull out every strand. Maybe because I’m freaking scared shitless she won’t say anything back. Or maybe I’m scared shewillfinally speak to me. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I rock back on my heels. I wonder if I’m ready for that…if I’ll ever be able to trust a woman again.
Of course, I covered her tab. There is no way I’m letting the woman of my dreams leave my club paying a dime for anything. I bought this club a while back and had it intentionally renovated. I love investing in different businesses, especially in town, and this one had so much history in the community, I couldn’t let it fail. I wanted to make sure it continued to be a staple for a long time.But she doesn’t know I own it.I don’t think she knows much about me at all, actually, other than whatshe’s seen in the news. If that was all I saw, I probably wouldn’t want to talk to me either.
It would have been so easy to just go over, say hi, and meet her friends. Be the life of the party like everyone expects me to be. I like Benny, and I wanted to say bye when I heard he was leaving. I cringe, taking a sip of my soda water and lime. Actually, I may have had a little to do with that. Ihave a friend at NASA who helped speed up his application, so I knew this was coming. I feel bad for Kennedy. I know they’re close, but Benny deserves this. He grew up poorer than poor, working his way up from nothing. I’m super happy for him, and of course, I wanted to pay the tab for his sake as well. But mainly, I wanted to do it forher.
“Jordan, can I ask you somefing…somefi…some. Thing,” Tay slurs, his eyes out of focus.
How many shots has he had?I flag down one of the waitresses and ask for a glass of water. He’sclearlyhit his limit.
“What’s up, Tay?”
He darts his head back and forth, stumbling a bit.
“Tay, what the hell are you doing?”
“Shhhh…I’m making shhhure no one is around.”
I narrow my brows. “Bruh…we’re in a club full of people. There are people around us in every direction.” His face falls, and my heart sinks. “But it’s super loud in here, so I think you’re good. What’s going on?”
“I want to know why you can’t just ask her out already?” he asks, sounding as sober as any other day.
My eyes snap wide, my heart in my throat as a strangled laugh bursts from my chest.Does he know?“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Tay. I think that may be the tequila talking.”
