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She takes a lady-like bite of her food as if to show him how to eat like a human.

Remy laughs. “Andie, I’ve been trying to turn these Neanderthals into gentlemen for years. Good luck.” He takes a normal sized bite of his burger, always more mature than the rest of us.

“The ladies appreciate a man who can eat,” Bruce snaps back.

“Is that right?” Mel asks. “Then why you’re dateless?”

We all laugh, except Bruce. He slides a hand through his hair and gives Mel a smoldering stare. “Trust me, girl. I had offers. I just turned them all down.”

Mel rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “We know, Brucey. You’re a total catch.”

“Plus, haven’t you heard that goalies are the best lovers?”

Mitch groans. “Not this again.”

“We pay attention to details, and we’re very limber.” He raises his drink in the air for good measure.

“This has yet to be proven,” Remy adds. “But I’m sure you’re a real tiger in the bedroom, Bruce.” He pats Bruce on the shoulder in a patronizing way.

“Yeah,” Mitch says sarcastically, “you’re just oozing with prowess.”

“And raw, animal magnetism,” Andie says in a sultry voice.

“Laugh all you want, but deep down, you all know I’m right.” Bruce takes another disgustingly large bite, and we all break into laughter at how ridiculous he is.

Remy finishes his food and wipes his face with the cloth napkin. “Well, I hate to skip out early, but my best friend is flying in tonight for a visit. I need to get her from the airport.”

“Amber?” I ask, remembering his childhood best friend. She’s visited a few times, and she’s super cool. Apparently, she has some douchebag boyfriend that Remy hates.

Remy nods.

“Tell her we said hi, man. Haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Well, she, um, had a baby. So, she’s been busy,” he says awkwardly.

“Wow, really? With the boyfriend you hate?” I ask, ever a nosy bastard.

“Yep. But they’re kind of… rocky at the moment.” I try to read Remy’s expression as he says it. I’ve always wondered if he harbored feelings for Amber. She’s cute and outgoing. If I remember correctly, her hair was pink last time I saw her; I wonder if it’s still a wild color.

“Ah, gotcha. Well, I’m sure I’ll see her around the neighborhood.” I smile.

Remy says his goodbyes, waving to the large group of his teammates, then leaving.

“You think he has a thing for Amber?” Bruce asks in what he thinks is a hushed whisper, but it’s not quiet at all.

West muses, rubbing his hand along his jaw. “I was wondering that too.”

Andie chimes in, “He totally does. It was written all over his face.”

Mitch slides an arm around the back of her chair. “Stay out of Remy’s business.”

“Fine,” she grumps.

A peppy song starts playing over the speakers and the dance floor across the room lights up for the evening. Mel and Andie gasp and jump up from their seats, forcing their guys up with them. “Come on! The dance floor is open!” Mel squeals.

Bruce gets up too. “I saw a woman at the bar I want to talk to,” he admits with a shrug before following the rest of them toward the dance floor.

I glance over at Andie’s younger brother, who looks bored out of his mind. “Just me and you, dude.”