“You realizethat the Blades regularly hit up this bar after games,” I tell Mason when he sets another pint of IPA in front of me.
Apparently, now that I play for the Rogues, I’m more careful with my public image and less cautious about my liver.
Taking a seat next to me in the booth, he knocks his glass against mine. “I do. And you realize that you slurred at least three words in your last sentence.”
From opposite us, Tristan snorts a laugh, and I glare at him.
“I’m notwaishted.”
“Ha!” Silas blurts out, and Mason slumps back in the booth, grinning at me.
At least he’s smiling tonight, even if it is at my expense.
The pint I’m holding is my third of the night. I’m definitely going to pay for it in the morning if I finish this drink.
“I feel honored that you’re making a rare exception and drinking beer with me.” Mason chuckles while Tristan watches me from over the rim of his glass.
“You act like he’s the league’s golden boy.” Tristan nods his head at Mason.
The defenseman picks up his beer, taking a big pull and setting the glass back down on the table. None of us should be drinking tonight, and we all know it.
“I mean, is he not? Our boy here is the second-highest goalscorer in the league this season despite us losing more games than we’ve won.”
Tristan’s face contorts, and I celebrate by taking a mouthful of beer.
“It’s only November. Let’s see how his goal record stacks up in April.”
Silas clears his throat and looks between me and my asshole teammate. “Did you two break each other’s heart in another life or something? Because I’m getting tired of the petty gibes. They’re getting old real fast.”
“You know who else looks tired of your antics, Will?” Tristan smirks at me, and I know exactly what’s coming. “Your publicist.” He scratches at his temple, confused. “What the fuck was that celly all about?”
Mason shifts an inch in his seat. He’s the only one sitting at this table who knows about the crush I have on Drew, and to his credit, he hasn’t breathed a word about it to anyone.
“And here I was”—I grin back at Tristan—“thinking you’d be more concerned over me pulling away from you in the goal rankings.” I take another sip of beer. “Does it bother you when I interact with my publicist?”
Tristan scoffs and sits back in the booth, arms folded across his chest in a defensive stance. “I’m just pointing out that you guys seem to be pretty close for only having a working relationship.”
“Will and Drew have been friends for years.” Mason immediately comes to my rescue, resting his tatted forearms on the table.
“You guys play for the Rogues, right?” A blonde girl wearing a short black dress and sky-high heels approaches our table, closely followed by her brunette friend. She’s wearing a similar type of dress but in light blue.
Normally, based on the way the brunette is looking at me, I’d be sure that the night is ending with her riding my dick. But today, that same thought couldn’t feel further from the truth.
I’m going home alone tonight.
“We do,” Mason confirms with a flirtatious edge to his tone.
I guess now that he’s separated, he’s free to do whatever he wants, but, wow, hooking up tonight would be fast.
“Can we join you?” The blonde’s eyes drop to the space beside Mason and Silas.
My captain clears his throat and pushes his beer away. “No offense, girls, but I was actually planning to call it a night.” He tips his chin toward me, Mason, and Tristan. There’s a warning in his gaze not to let tonight get too late or wild. “So, I’ll leave you in the safe hands of my boys here.”
I know for a fact that Tristan is single, so when he says, “And I don’t want to be presumptuous, but my new girlfriend probably wouldn’t appreciate me hanging out with two beautifulwomen. However, this guy?” He points at me. “Well, we know he loves all the female attention.”
I want to annihilate him.
The brunette’s eyes light up, and?—
