A white linen shirt has the privilege of gracing his upper half, the top few buttons undone, exposing his deep skin and gold chain. His pants are a shade of olive, the lightest pair I’ve ever seen him wear, but they look expensive as hell, nonetheless. This is different, seeing him in something other than his typically all-black structured outfits.
“Okay, just because you two are dating,” Ryan whispers for only the three of us to hear. “Doesn’t mean I need y’all to eye-fuck in front of me.”
“Can’t help it,” Zanders says without hesitation, his attention locked on me. “She’s stunning, and last night she did this thing with her—”
I quickly slap a palm over his mouth before regretfully pulling my hand back. My eyes dart around the room, but it doesn’t seem like anyone saw me touch him so casually.
Ryan’s eyes screw shut, attempting to unhear what Zanders started to say. “She’s still my fucking sister, man. And if this is how you two act while you’re trying to keep it a secret, I don’t even want to know what it’s going to be like when you’re finally public.”
That thought hasn’t crossed my mind in a while, mostly because I haven’t allowed it to. It gets my hopes up, and at the moment, that dream is too far off to wish for now. Zanders needs to get re-signed. And the only way that’s going to happen is for him to maintain his hockey playboy image. At least, that’s what his agent believes.
I can only hope that once the papers are signed, he will no longer care about keeping up appearances, and hopefully, by then, I’ll have thought about finding another job.
Zanders looks down at my hands. “Can I get you a drink?”
“I’m not drinking.”
“Why not?”
“Well, because you’re not drinking, and I’m hoping you’ll take advantage of me later, but I know you won’t if you’re sober and I’m not.”
His lips begin to lift mischievously, dirty words on the tip of his tongue, but Ryan cuts in before Zanders has the chance to speak up.
“Still here and still your brother.”
“I’m going to go pretend like I don’t know what you taste like while I hang with Maddison until he decides to head back to his hotel room.”
“Still here,” Ryan deadpans.
Zanders’ hazel eyes get all soft and sweet. “You’re beautiful, Vee.” He turns to my brother, knocking fists. “Good to see you, man.”
My boyfriend goes off to hang with his friend, and I can’t help but watch his backside walk away from me. Perfect hockey ass.
“Giddy as fuck,” Ryan laughs, swinging an arm over my shoulders.
“You should try it sometime.”
“Nah. I’m good.”
“And ‘good to see you, man’? What the hell was that bromance?”
“We share the same arena and locker room. We see each other around. Don’t make a thing out of it.”
“Are you guys...friends?” My eyes are wide, a smile overtaking my face.
“Don’t be weird about it.”
“Indy, please love me,” Rio whines, his arm hanging on her.
“Rio. No,” she laughs, five margaritas in. “You’re still a baby. I would destroy your life. I would destroy anyone’s life right now.”
“You can destroy my life. I’d be perfectly okay with that.”
“Your boy is a little desperate tonight,” I whisper to Zanders as we stand at a table opposite Indy, Rio, and my brother.
“Every night,” Zanders sighs, leaning his shoulder into mine. “I tried to teach him, but he’s learned nothing.”
“I think his eagerness is part of his charm.” My entire upper arm presses into Zanders’, the only form of touching we can publicly do with too many eyes around us.
He shifts on his elbow, fully facing me and blocking out the three people across from us. “So, what’s my charm?”
“Your charm?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Well, your humbleness, clearly.”
“Clearly.”
“Your giant dick, obviously.”
“I see we’re done with the sarcasm bit.”
“But other than the obvious stuff, you make me like me, and I haven’t felt that in a long time.”
Zanders’ brows pinch together. “Vee, you can’t be saying stuff like that when I can’t kiss you for it.”
“Well, it’s true. I like who I am with you.”
“For fuck’s sake.” He looks around the crowded bar before his eyes fall back on me, leaning down and whispering, “Later tonight, I’m going to show you just how much the man you’ve made me likes the woman you are.”
“Indy, you’re single now. I’ve been single since...always,” Rio continues to beg, pulling our attention back to the table. “I don’t see the issue.”
“The issue is you need a teacher, which will be some chick’s kink, I’m sure. But it’s not mine.”
“Oh, come on, Indiana,” my brother chimes in. “You can teach him how to belt ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at three AM and keep everyone in an entire apartment building awake.”
Indy’s brown eyes turn dark. “First of all, my name is not Indiana!”
Oh, she’s drunk.
“And excuse me for having feelings, Mr. I-Had-To-Hide-In-My-Room-All-Night-Because-There-Was-A-Hot-Girl-In-My-Apartment-And-I’m-Afraid-Of-Them.”
Ryan’s mouth has fallen open. “Trust me. I am not afraid of girls.”
“I said hot girls.” Indy grabs a clear liquid shot off the table, pounding it back. “Like me.”
My brother’s light brown skin has lost some color, slightly fearful of the woman on another level tonight, but not a single thing Indy said was incorrect.
A bartender shows up with a shot for Zanders, nodding towards a couple of beautiful women perched up at the bar. “From them.”
All five of us look their way, but they keep their eyes locked on my boyfriend, fingers waving.
“Holy shit, man,” Rio admires. “Go over there.”
I uncomfortably adjust, Ryan and Indy’s eyes watching me.
“I’m good.” Zanders brushes off his teammate.
“C’mon, man, let’s go. And take me with you. There are two of them. You can share.”
“Nah, Rio. As I said, I’m good.” Zanders passes the shot off to Indy, who throws it back without hesitation.
“You’re boring this year, EZ. You rarely go out anymore. At least last season, I was able to pull your extras.”
“Pull?”
“Okay, maybe not pull, but at least I was able to occupy them while you were busy with their friends.”
That earns a laugh from the group, including me.
“Not really into it anymore, sorry, Rio.” Zanders’ ring-covered fingers hold his water, as mine do the same, centimeters from his. He slyly reaches out, stroking his index finger over mine and making sure I’m okay.
But honestly, I’m good. Why wouldn’t I be? I got the guy, and all he’s done since we’ve gotten together is remind me that I’m his only choice. So, there’s no jealousy happening on my end. More so arrogance.
Indy is offered a few more drinks when we migrate our way over to the bigger table in the back of the bar, where plenty of both my brother and boyfriend’s teammates sit. At this point, it’s pretty clear Indy is wasted, and I’m happy I stuck with water and can help her home when the time comes.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell us you’re related to Ryan Shay,” Rio drools. “I’m a professional athlete, but Ryan Shay? Even I’m fanboying.”