“Yeah. Where’d she go?”
“You two have been pretty close since you moved here, huh?” His blue eyes are narrowed and accusatory.
“We’re good friends, Rue,” I say sharply. “Started last year after you were traded. Back in Seattle when Sebastian started dating my friend Trey’s sister.”
Alex smiles. Actually, it’s more of a smirk. “Nah…I love ya, Westie, but I’m not buying it.”
I glare at him, and part of it is about that stupid nickname—only he uses because he knows I hate it. “I don’t give a shit what you’re buying. Did she leave?”
He ignores my question and continues talking, looking totally smug and so freaking sure of himself. “The only type of friends you two can be are naked friends.”
“You think girls and guys can’t be friends?” I roll my eyes. “I have a brain in my actual head, not just in my jock.”
“Oh, I know some guys and girls can be friends. But you two…” He raises his hand and waves his finger in front of his face. “You two are destined to fuck each other.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Yeah. She said basically the same thing.” Alex laughs. “That’s how I know I’m right.”
I grab the glass of Perrier and ignore my teammate as I see Stephanie weaving her way back toward us through the crowd. I walk over to meet her halfway. She sees me coming and her bright blue eyes dart to Jennifer. I’m standing like a wall in front of her a second later. Stopping her in her tracks, I hold the drink out to her.
“Here’s your drink,” I tell her.
She takes it and smiles, her lips parting above the rim as she takes a small sip. “Mmm…it tastes free,” she says.
Holy fuck, why is she so damn hot?
“Did I win the bet?” she questions.
I nod.
She grins triumphantly. “Then I’ll take another.”
I laugh.
She glances over at Jennifer. “So go get ’em, slugger,” she says, and gives me a tiny shove.
“What?” Is she talking about Jennifer? She is. “Oh, no. I’m not interested.”
“Why, because your daddy has to do a background check before you’re allowed in her pants?” Steph quips.
“Wow, that was harsh,” I reply, and try to act hurt. But she’s not far off. I can’t go home with a girl I know nothing about. It’s too risky. She could sell the details of her night with Avery Westwood to the tabloids. She could take a selfie with me while I sleep and post it on the Internet. It happens to athletes all the time, so it’s not just me being paranoid.
“Don’t be so uptight. Fucking is fun. You just broke up with someone. Rebound sex might be just what you need.” She smiles again.
“Wow. Potty mouth. Kinda hot.”
“I’m sure Nude Pumps knows some dirty words,” Stephanie counters, and tucks her soft brown wave of hair behind her ear absently. A simple sapphire stud twinkles from her earlobe.
“You know Alex doesn’t think I should go home with Jennifer,” I tell Stephanie, and try to stare out at the crowd instead of at her, because I don’t think I want to see her reaction. “He thinks I should go home with you.”
She doesn’t answer. I steal a glance, and she’s staring straight ahead with no readable look on her face.
“Larue is a logistical genius. You should go home with me.” Now I openly turn and stare down at her. She smiles. “I mean considering you don’t have a car and Iamyour next-door neighbor…going home with me is the practical thing to do.”
“He meant—”
“I know what he meant.” She cuts me off and finally brings her eyes to mine. “He basically said the same thing to me.”
