Oh, well. It was just a shirt.
It wasn’t just a shirt. He’d practiced what he wanted to say when he saw Wren, even though everything he came up with sounded corny. He’d dreamed about Wren all night and awakened sweat-drenched and aroused beyond reason.
She can’t possibly be as hot as you remember. Your brain has made her into some sort of goddess and you’d just be disappointed if you saw her again. Move on.
“Hey, don’t worry, brother,” Waylon said as he clapped his hand on Elias’ shoulder. “We’ll find you someone new tonight.”
Right. It was Friday, which meant Cocktails and Chicken Strips. No way she’d show up there if she wasn’t taking him up on coffee first.
“Who all’s gonna be there?” Elias asked. That used to mean all their brothers—Shane, Ben, Bear, Gabe, and Badger. Now it included Bear and Gabe’s new wives, Ellie and Rochelle. Badger and Brianna were a maybe these days, too. Brianna had a budding music career and Badger was often on the road with her when he wasn’t working as a bodyguard with Watchdog, along with Shane.
“The marrieds are staying in tonight,” Waylon informed him.
“You know if Shane’s going?”
April had her back turned toward them but Elias couldn’t help but notice her shoulders rise halfway to her ears when he asked about Shane.
“Shane’s a no.”
And he watched her shoulders ease back down.
“Ben’s a no, too, so it’s just you and me,” Waylon continued, which didn’t surprise Elias. Ben wasn’t much into the bar scene, preferring quieter, more nerdly pursuits. He was like their friend Bear that way—both men were big and quiet and not as likely to go out unless it was with the whole crowd.
Elias nodded. If it was just him and Waylon tonight, the objective was clear—find the hottest women and have fun. Elias smiled softly as he mentally waved goodbye to the image of Wren in his head.
“Sounds good. Hell, let’s make it two women each.”
Waylon punched his upper arm. “Yeah! And the Lion is back.”
It would take two women at least to measure up to one Wren.
Elias and Waylonhad an easy workday for a Friday, and with a whole weekend off to look forward to, Elias’ mood lifted by the time he pulled into the bar’s parking lot. He was ready to dance, ready to drink, and ready to feel soft hands playing with his hair and softer lips brushing his neck. Would tonight be a blonde, a brunette, or maybe a redhead? Didn’t matter, so long as she could dance and was up for a good time.
He saw Waylon’s truck so he headed on in to find his buddy. There he was, at a high top near the dance floor, a pitcher of beer at the ready. Walking to the table, Elias’ head was on a swivel as he checked out the women clustered at tables and standing along the bar. Several checked him out in return. Their gazes swept up and down his body, lips curving up into seductive smiles. But theusual thrill of deciding which woman he wanted to pursue first just wasn’t there.
None of them are as attractive as Wren.
He pushed the thought of her away as he lifted his chin at Waylon, who’d just caught sight of him. Waylon grabbed an empty mug and poured Elias a beer from the pitcher.
“Maybe this’ll cheer you up.” Waylon pushed the beer across the tabletop as Elias sat down with his back to the door.
“What do you mean?”
Waylon just stared. “Come on. You should have hoovered up at least three women on your way in.”
“I’m waiting for someone special.” Dammit, the words came out all on their own. Elias quickly took a swig of his beer. It was way too hoppy—which taught him to show up before Waylon so that he could order a normal pitcher of beer. The dude was constantly trying new things, the more extreme the better.
“You don’t like it?” Waylon pointed at the mug.
“Is this actually beer or is it just straight-up pine sap? It tastes like licking a forest.”
“Better than the boring shit you order.” He chugged the last of his and poured another. “Don’t tell me you’re waiting on your patient to show.”
“Told you, I don’t date patients.” He took another sip as if a second try would somehow magically turn this undrinkable swill into an actual beer. Surprise—it didn’t. “Like I said, I’m just waiting on someone special.”
Face it. She’s about as likely to show up as this beer is likely to start tasting good.Time to pick up a shot of whiskey and a blonde chaser at the bar.
Elias started to stand but paused when he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as chills ran down his arms. But these were good chills—the kind that said something exciting was on the way. He turned around and looked toward the entrance.
