“That’s it?” Ben teases.
She lifts an eyebrow. “Accessories count for girls.”
“Wuss,” Tammy says under her breath. I can’t help but crack a smile.
Jimmy’s the only one left. He’s already folded twice. His number’s up and we all know it. As soon as he gets his cards, I can tell how irritated he is. Tiny beads of sweat dot his furry upper lip. He’s going down. He shows his hand and he’s got zilch. I can see him struggling, trying to decide if he should take off his shirt or his pants. He opts for the shirt. He’s always been a weird kid, but I feel sorry for him. His skin’s pale and smooth like a baby’s. I can see every rib poking out along with a half dozen chest hairs spread out in the worst places. He folds his shirt over the back of his chair and I get a glimpse of what I think is the mark on his lower back. He shrinks back into his seat too quickly to be sure. I can tell he just wants to be left alone, but I have to record it. He’s the last one. Just one more and I can get the hell out of here.
I don’t want to do it, but I start baiting him, razzing him, trying to get him to stand back up. I pretend to shield my eyes. “Jimmy, man, maybe you should put it back on.”
Tyler and Ben quickly join in.
“Don’t want to scar the ladies for life.”
“If you take anything else off, we’re all going to be sterile.”
Jimmy looks around the table at everyone but me. They’re all trying not to crack up, but the harder they try, the worse it gets, until they’re all cackling like hyenas.
“Screw you, guys.” Jimmy throws down his cards. “I should’ve known better than to play with you jocks.” Without getting up, he reaches for his shirt.
He’s not going to stand up. Damn. This could be my only chance.
“Six,” I yell as I look to my left. “Forty-two,” I yell as I look to the right. “Hut!”
The three of us tackle Jimmy to the ground.
Ben and Tyler are laughing their asses off as they roll to the side. I flip Jimmy onto his stomach. He’s kicking, spitting and hollering, trying to get out from under me, but it’s no use. I trap his hands under my knees and jerk down his pants. There it is, on his lower back. I can’t believe they gave him a tramp stamp. I pretend to adjust my tie, making sure the camera has a good view.
As I get off him, Jimmy grabs his shirt and crawls into the corner like a wounded animal. His cheeks are ruddy and damp. Nobody pays him much mind. Tyler high-fives me and my stomach drops. It reminds me of that last game. Tyler did that after I beat the shit out of that kid. If Tyler high-fives you, you know you’ve probably done something rotten. I feel awful, but it had to be done. Jimmy took one for the team and he doesn’t even know it.
“Nobody humiliates me like that anymore.” Jimmy staggers to his feet. “Nobody!” he screams and storms out of the room.
“Jimmy,” Ali calls after him.
“Leave it,” Tyler says.
I think about going after him to apologize when Tammy grabs a bottle of bourbon from the bar. “How about a different game?” she whispers, laying the bottle on the card table.
“How many times do I have to tell you to speak up,” Tyler says. “No one understands a word you’re saying.”
“I think she wants to play spin the bottle.” Ben grins. “Tammy, I had no idea you cared.”
Tammy rolls her eyes.
“I’m in,” Tyler says, as he sinks back down in his chair. “But for the record, I’m not making out with Tate.”
“You wish.” I tuck in my shirt, trying to regain my composure.
“Hell, I’m so happy you’re back, I might.” Ben slaps my back as we take our seats.
Ali spins the bottle, never taking her eyes off me.
I hold her gaze. I want the bottle to land on me so badly. I don’t think I can bear watching her kiss someone else.
Please let it land on me. If you’re up there, give me a sign. You owe me this.
When it lands squarely on me, I can’t help the grin spreading across my face.
Tyler acts like he’s not bothered by the whole thing, but I can see the rage creeping into his jaw.
Ali grabs the bottle and walks toward me. The way she moves, the glint in her eyes, stirs something in me.
A smile eases across her lips as she sits on my lap.
I try to play it off, but every nerve ending in my body is firing … reaching out for her.
“Oooh!” Ben’s egging us on.
Ali takes a swig from the bottle and then laces her fingers through my hair, pulling me toward her. She presses her perfect lips against mine, her tongue pushing warm liquid into my mouth, forcing me to swallow. She gives my hair a final tug before getting up. My body feels liquid now, my lips numb and tingling. My head is spinning; it feels like I’m soaring, like I’m not even touching the ground. I want to pull her back for a real kiss, but I have to admit that was the sexiest kiss I’ve ever had.
As she walks back to her seat, everyone’s talking, laughing, but I can’t see anyone but her anymore.