Empty Net



Tate leaned against the wall outside of Audrey’s door. He didn’t know if he should knock or just wait and decided to wait, to give her more time. When they had parted earlier, it seemed she was regretting coming down to Miami. It was the last thing he wanted, so he decided that instead of talking about anything serious, they would just enjoy the couple days they had with each other. He would let whatever was happening between them run its course.

Fixing the collar of his crisp white shirt, he couldn’t help but doubt himself. Did he mess up earlier on the beach? What if she came out with her bags packed, ready to go home? Banging his head against the wall, he pulled his phone out and was about to play a game when Audrey’s door opened. His tongue fell out of his mouth at the sight of her.

Audrey was hot. Super hot.

She wore a fitted, one shoulder black sparkly dress. It came to mid-thigh, maybe higher, showing her sexy tan legs. Her hair was down in a mass of curls, her makeup the most drastic he had ever seen it, and he couldn’t help notice the extra high sparkly heels she wore.

He was supposed to be friends with her?

Running her hands down her thighs, she smiled up at him. “Hey.”

Swallowing, he croaked out, “Hey.”

“Is this okay? It’s all I got. Well no, I take that back, I have a skirt, but I thought this was salsa-ish.”

Tate was nodding before she got the whole sentence out. He was convinced there was no room in his slacks because that dress was way more than okay.

“Audrey, yeah, you look hot.”

A shy smile crossed her lips as she rocked her hips back and forth. “Thank you. You ready?”

“Yup,” he said.

He was only a little embarrassed about his outburst about how hot she was. He liked that she had gotten so dressed up for him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a date.

Their first date.

With a grin, he placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the elevator and then down to the club. When they entered, he spotted Phillip and Erik at a corner table. Taking Audrey’s hand in his, he guided them through the crowd of dancers and patrons lingering around tables, having a good time. Phillip put his hands up at the sight of Tate and Erik grinned as he made his way toward them. Like him, both men were dressed to impress in slacks and dress shirts. Both on the mission to bring home a special lady.

He didn’t have to worry about that. He already had his.

Tate brought Audrey beside him before pulling out a chair for her. “Guys,” he yelled over the pulsating music, “you remember Audrey, right?”

“I think we’ve met,” Phillip said, his eyes gazing over Audrey’s body as he took her hand in his.

“Yes we have,” Audrey said with a grin.

“How are you?” Erik asked with a lazy grin, as his eyes made the same trip Phillip’s had.

All of a sudden Tate wanted to smash their faces into the table.

“I’m good, thanks,” she answered, glanced back at Tate, and asked, “What’s your poison, Oooodder?”

Tate smiled. He loved the way she drew out his name. “Anything, really,” he said.

“Are we going big tonight, boys?” Phillip asked.

“Sure, why not?” Erik said with a shrug.

“Don’t you have a game tomorrow?” Audrey asked.

“Yup, but our curfew is one A.M. It’s only eight, so we’re good,” Phillip informed her.

Audrey nodded, a bright grin crossing her face. “Well, so I trust you to know when to stop.”

All three guys nodded, and she got up, heading for the bar. Tate watched her every move, her curves delectable. As she stood at the bar a guy came up to her and Tate was about to go over and stake his claim, but Phillip stopped him.

“So when did Audrey get hot?”

Tate cut him a look. “She always has been.”

“Yeah, but she is really hot tonight. My hands are itching to get a handful of that,” he said, his eyes glued to what Tate believed was Audrey’s ass.

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