“Thanks, man.” Hen means well but I can’t help feeling that I failed my brother by not finding out what happened. That thought has my fingers twitching to text Rich and ask about that number again.
Hendrix can’t wipe the stupid grin off his face as we sit through the post-game breakdown with Coach Wilson, and I can’t say I blame him. Playing under the lights has the spectacle and glory, but right now, none of that compares to the fact that I get to spend my night with my favorite person after winning the game over the Chicago Comets.
“Aren’t you two cute, with your matching heart eyes?” Dom throws over his shoulder as he walks to the shower with his towel slung over his shoulder and his hand cupping his junk.
“Hey, moron, you could wrap your towel around your waist like the rest of us instead of strutting around, ass out,” I retort, grabbing what I need to clean up.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t love my ass. Have you seen this cake? It’s the source of all my powers.” Laughter rings out through the locker room when Dom grabs a handful of ass cheek while winking at me.
“Jesus, let’s just shower and get to the girls. It’s too bad the water can’t wash that image out of my brain,” Hendrix comments standing from the locker room bench.
“He’s not wrong. He’s got a fucking dump truck on him. Did you see the way it bounced when he grabbed it?” Dean blinks slowly like he’s scarred by the whole interaction.
Hendrix shakes his head and walks back to the shower, picking the stall furthest from where Dom is currently singing, “Too Much Booty in the Pants.”
“I would have thought you were more of a ‘Rump Shaker’ kind of guy,” I tell Dom, taking the stall between them.
“Good call. I can sing that one for you next,” he says over the top of the stall with a wink.
“Please don’t,” Dean remarks when he walks in. “You two are going to get him all juiced up and then leave me to deal with him while you enjoy your evening with your girlfriends.”
“You almost sound jealous. Sick of playing wingman to Dom and ready to find someone?” I ask.
“Not a fucking chance. I’ve seen how that works out in the long run.”
“So, you’re never planning on being in a relationship.” Hendrix pauses with his sudsy hands in his hair, looking at Dean with a raised eyebrow.
“Pretty much.”
“I can’t wait to watch you fall flat on your face for some girl.” Hendrix grins over the stall before rinsing his hair and grabbing his towel—leaving me to fend for myself with Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
“This is amazing. Hendrix, this was the best idea ever,” Poppy says from where she plastered against his side with her arms around his waist.
Delilah and I are seated on the other side of the boat. There’s enough room for both of us to have our own seat but I’d rather share. She’s pressed against my side with my hand gripping her knee where her legs are thrown over my lap. Our friends chartered this boat for the night, claiming we were overdue for a double date, but I know they did it to keep me busy and distracted today. They even made sure the marina could provide a driver so we could just kick back and enjoy the picnic dinner the girls packed.
“That’s right, because I’m a very smart man.”
“Speaking of great ideas. We found a place in St. John for the All-Star Break,” I say, not wanting to focus on why we are on this boat. Next to me she excitedly pulls out her phone, opening up the link for the house, and passes it to Poppy.
“This is amazing, but it’s huge.” Hendrix’s head tilts to the side in question.
“It is. Someone wants to turn a romantic getaway into a group trip.”
Without warning, she smacks my chest, her face twisted in faux annoyance. “You’re going to throw me under the bus like that?”
I lift my shoulders innocently. There’s a reason she’s not ready to go on vacation as a couple. I haven’t called her out on the fact that she’s letting her fear keep her from being all in. She’ll find her way there. I just hope it’s not too much longer.
“So, this would be a group trip, not just the four of us?” Poppy asks, swiping through the pictures.
“We haven’t worked it all out yet, but there’s enough room to invite some of the guys.”
She nudges Hendrix with her shoulder. “Should we see if your sister wants to come? It will be right after her next book release. I bet she’d love a break.”
“This is your master plan. What did you think?” He gestures to Delilah and me.
“I love it! I have heard so much about Mia and am dying to meet her in person when we go to St. Louis. Can we invite Indie too?” Delilah claps her hands, thrilled that her plan is coming together.
The suggestion to have her childhood best friend join the trip makes Poppy’s smile widen. “That’s perfect. We had talked about planning a girl’s trip, but this would be just as good.”
