The hockey players around us cheer, along with all of our other friends.
“I love love,” Griffin says with a sniffle to Logan as we all pile back into the booth.
Logan claps him on the shoulder and says, “I know you do, bud.”
When we’re all seated, Sebastian claps his hands together. “Well, now that that’s over, let’s celebrate!”
Drinks keep magically appearing on the table, laughter flows freely, and the guys soak up the constant stream of fans who congratulate them, tell them their favorite playoff moments, andtake quick selfies. And while I’m still a little gun-shy about being in the photos, and I’m not as comfortable with the attention as the guys are, I’m also not feeling the itch beneath my skin that makes me want to run.
Because I have Sebastian on one side, Lola on the other, and a whole booth full of friends who have my back.
It’s everything.
Well, almost.
“Are you okay?” Lola asks, smirking, when I shift in my seat and sigh for the millionth time.
“Me? Yeah. Why?” It’s not a complete lie. I’mokay, but I’m also frustrated as hell. Sebastian and I finally said those three little words that have been screaming in my head for the last ten years, and all I want is to be alone with him so I can show him how much I love him. My panties are still damp from watching him knock Ryland out in defense of me, my skin is warm from his proximity and the beer I’ve been nursing, and it’s all I can do to hold myself back from jumping him right here in the middle of the crowded bar.
“Girl. I’m not blind. You keep sneaking longing glances at your boyfriend’s dick.”
“What? I do not.”I’m not actually doing that, am I?
“You do. Frankly, I’m impressed the two of you have stayed this long. I bet Megan fifty bucks you would dip half an hour ago to go bang.” Lola arches an eyebrow and her girlfriend chuckles beside her.
“You’re paying for our next date, baby girl.” Megan kisses Lola’s temple before grinning at me. “Thanks for that, Indie.”
I choke on a laugh. “Glad to be of service?”
“I don’t think anyone would blame you two if you left,” Megan says. “You’ve been here long enough, and there will be plenty more celebrations for the two of you to sit through.”
“You think?”
“Think what?” Bash asks, turning his attention to me.
“I’m telling your girl that it’s okay for you to leave.” Megan grins, throwing her arm around Lola’s shoulder. “Get some private celebration time in. You know.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.
“You want to leave, Rosebud?”
I study Sebastian’s face. I don’t want to drag him away from celebrating the biggest win of his career. If he wants to stay all night, I’m happy to do it. But if there’s any chance he’s as desperate to get out of here as I am, I’m going to jump on that.
“I don’t want to take you away from celebrating, babe.”
Sebastian’s warm, earthen eyes darken. “There’s more than one way to celebrate. In fact, I can think of a few ways I’d like to”—he lets his eyes rove my body—“celebrate.”
A shiver tickles my spine when Bash’s long fingers trace a lazy path up my thigh. “Oh, yeah?”
“They all involve youcheeringmy name.”
I almost swallow my tongue.
Lola chuckles. “Yep. Get out of here, you two. Let me know if you’re coming home tomorrow, Inds. Love you. Go celebrate in pound town.”
Home. Yeah. That’s what this place is now.
“Well.” Sebastian stands and slaps his thighs while eyeing everyone at the table. “We’re out. See you all tomorrow night at Griffin’s.”
The ladies give me knowing looks while the guys chuckle and tell us to have fun. We exit Chasers amid cheers and hoots, hand in hand. Although they’re cheering for Bash and the fact that they just won the Cup, my cheeks are hot and probably fire-engine red, because I can’t help thinking they knowexactlywhat we’re about to do, and that’s why they’re cheering.
