“August, we’re back here,” I hear Dex call out behind me. I follow the sound of his voice and see Dex coming towards me to help me find everyone.
Turning around I see them all sitting at a table in the back of the bar. It’s an area that’s definitely quieter and allows patrons to engage in conversation more easily. But I think the appeal for the girls tonight is that it’s more secluded and allows for some privacy.
“Hey, man,” I say, meeting him. “How’s the mood?”
Dex looks over his shoulder at everyone and then back at me. “Eh, it’s what you would expect. Most of the girls are trying to be social and get to know Ash. But Hendrix is keeping to herself. Jase is keeping an eye on her, but he quietly asked the rest of us to let her be.” I nod. “So maybe be nice to her tonight.”
“Got it. She seemed to be hit pretty hard with the loss,” I reply.
“Five goals in and not a single stop is not like her,” he reminds me. “I was just going to grab some more pitchers. Would you like anything from the bar?”
I nod. “I’ll come along and help you,” I say, following Dex up to the bar. “How is it with Ash at the table? Danny says he seems pretty cool.”
Dex shrugs, “He’s okay, I guess. I don’t know, he has some opinions that I don’t quite agree with.”
We lean on the bar, and I look over at him with raised eyebrows. “What would those opinions be?”
“Well, he’s not your biggest fan, to be honest. I think he really hates that you are coming to hang out tonight,” he admits, shrugging.
“Yeah, well, I know he’s not a fan of me. But the man had no problem enjoying the free food and drinks in the box tonight,” I comment and then immediately regret it because it makes me look like an ass.
“Maybe don’t mention that when we go back to the table,” Dex advises. He orders two more pitchers of Old Elephant IPA.
“And please add a double shot of Scotch to that and put it on my tab, August Cromwell,” I tell the bartender.
She nods. “Old Elephant IPA is a good choice. It’s a nice local favorite,” she replies, winking in Dex’s direction.
“Yeah, my girlfriend and I think so,” Dex adds before turning around to scan the bar. This causes her to turn and leave. The wide smile she originally had for us is gone and she’s back to just getting us our drinks.
“That’s a welcome change,” I say, grinning at Dex. Before Amelia he would have let the bartender flirt with him and maybe even do it back a bit. For the free drinks or just the pleasure of her company. Amelia has definitely changed him.
“Yeah, well, it’s not okay,” he says with a shrug.
“Do you want to go back to the table with your girl, and I’ll get these drinks on over?” I ask him.
“You can’t carry all of this.”
“Sure, I can. You guys have the glasses, right? It’ll be no big deal,” I reply, shrugging. “Go, be with your girl. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks,” Dex replies, patting my back before heading back to the table.
The bartender turns and places my Scotch in front of me. “Here you go, honey, the pitchers will be up shortly.”
“Thanks,” I reply, tipping my glass at her before taking a sip.
I sit there staring up at the TVs that have sports highlights playing on them. Baseball, college football and some soccer. Thankfully, I don’t see any of the Blaze.
“Are you not planning on joining us?” a voice behind me asks.
I turn and there she is. Her hair that was down earlier is now up in a ponytail. She’s standing with hands on her hips, lip jutted out in defiance. I chuckle. “Didn’t Dex tell you? I’m waiting on the refilled pitchers and then I’ll be over.”
“I thought maybe you were avoiding us because of…” Her voice trails off.
I lean in so that our foreheads are almost touching and whisper, “You mean because I fucked you in the locker room. Did you think I wouldn’t want to come over smelling like you? Think big brother would figure it out?” I tease her.
I see a slight blush cover her cheeks but just as easily as it appears, it disappears. “That is not what I meant. I just thought maybe you were avoiding me—us,” she quickly corrects herself.
“Nope, not avoiding, just waiting on some more beer for the table. Dex ordered some Old Elephant.”
