For once Tucker finds a little sensibility in his daredevil attitude. “You’re right. I can’t risk getting hurt after Coach vouched for me with the Dean and with the GM of the Los Angeles Gladiators.”
I slap him on the back. “Atta boy. You’re twenty-two; it’s time to keep that head of yours firmly planted on your shoulders.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Tucker sighs. “I know. Coach called me immature and a pain in his ass, and I don’t even want to tell you what my dad said when he heard about this fucking mess with those two classes.”
“Hey guys,” Nash, our newest teammate and roommate, gets up from his seat. “I’m gonna get a beer, and after that, I’m calling it a night. Would you like one too?”
The new guy has been mostly quiet, so I decide to accept his offer, not wanting to look standoffish. “Sure, thanks. I’ll get you next time if you’re leaving. Get Tucker a near beer, though. He’s driving.”
Tucker makes a gagging nose. “No fucking way. That shit tastes weird. Can you get me a soda water with lime instead? At least I can pretend it’s vodka soda.” He whispers to me after Nash walks back inside the bar.
I’m about to give him shit about it. “A man should be able to choose if he wants to drink or not without being judged…”
The words die in my mouth when a large group of women steps out on the boardwalk from inside the bar.
I recognize Talia, Sam, and most of the Zetas, including Gen and her minions.
But my eyes are immediately drawn to the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. She has long, wavy blonde hair that flows around her like a halo of spun gold. Her white dress hugs her perfect curves, the light color popping in contrast with her sun kissed skin.
I have the chance to take a better look when the group walks by us on the way to a table that has just become vacant.
She’s only wearing minimal makeup, letting her natural beauty shine through.
Her gaze lands on me for just one second. I’ve never understood all that sappy, romantic crap about love at first sight, but I swear my heart skips a beat. I’m not saying that I’m in love with her but holy shit, her green eyes send a current of electricity all over my body.
My lips part as I try to catch my breath.
For a second I’ve forgotten where I am, but Tucker’s voice brings me back to the present as I hear him gasp.
“Holy shit,” Tucker says, echoing exactly my thoughts. “Who’s that blonde girl who’s talking to my sister? She must be a tourist, definitely someone coming from out of town. There’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed her if she had been going to school with us.”
I make a noise of agreement, still too taken by the blonde beauty to articulate any coherent words.
“I need to meet her.” Tucker says, again giving voice to my own sentiment.
“Well, she seems to be quite friendly with Talia.” I offer, finally able to speak again. “Maybe she can introduce you.”
Tucker’s eyes narrow as he looks at his sister. “Hmm, I don’t know about that. You know Tal. She’s gonna start telling her stories about me and kill any shot I might have with that hot girl. No, I’m gonna do this properly. I’m gonna buy her a drink first, and then go over there to introduce myself. Hey Sandy,” he waves to a waitress who just served another table in our section. “Do you mind coming here for a second?”
TARYN
“How’s your margarita?” Jodie asks, taking a sip of her vodkacranberry.
“Delicious. Do you want to try some?” I offer her my glass, and my best friend’s brown eyes widen when the cold, tart cocktail hits her tongue. “Good, huh?”
Jodie licks a little of the salt from the rim of the glass off her upper lip. “I’m gonna have one of those next.”
A waitress, carrying one single margarita on a silver tray, stops by our table, clearing her throat. “This is for you.” She says, placing the new cocktail in front of me. “From the gentleman over there.”
Jodie and I follow her pointed finger to a table of tall, athletic men.
She’s pointing out two in particular, both blond and really hot.
“Which one?” Jodie asks.
“The one on the left.” The waitress offers.
I study the two men. Despite the similar coloring, they look pretty different. The one who just sent me the drink has shorter, lighter hair and is dressed more casually in a dark blue t-shirt and jeans. The other one has darker hair, slightly longer on his forehead and sides, and is dressed more smartly in a button-down shirt and dark jeans.
