My phone was vibrating in my pocket, and I knew it was Whitney wondering when I’d be home. I told her I’d have a couple drinks after practice, and I’d barely had finished this one. I slid my phone from my pocket and saw her face on my screen.
“I’ve got to take this,” I said to Ace, motioning for him to let me out of the booth. It was clear he was irritated, but he slid out anyways. “Hello,” I answered and walked towards the front doors so I could hear.
“Where are you?” she asked, the edge in her voice made me grit my teeth.
“I told you I was going to have a couple drinks with the guys tonight,” I reminded her patiently.
“Well, how much longer are you going to be?”
“I just got here,” I sighed.
“Oh,” her tone was becoming clearer, edgier, and I pressed the heel of my hand into my temple.
“The owner just said he was bringing us some special apps from the kitchen. He’s covering our tab, and it would be rude to leave right now.” I felt like a teenager explaining why I should be allowed to stay at Bobby’s house past curfew to watch a movie.
“I’m sorry, I guess I just miss you,” she said, her tone changing, turning sweet again in world record time. “Have fun, and if you drink too much, take a cab please.”
My mind spun with confusion. Had she just given me the green light to stay out longer?
“I won’t get drunk, and I’ll leave as soon as I can,” I promised.
“Should I save your dinner, or are you eating there?”
My eyes narrowed, wondering if this was a trick question. “Please save me dinner, I’ll just nibble here.”
I pictured her working hard all day planning a special dinner and probably a romantic evening to celebrate the kick-off to my first season. I felt guilty as I told her I loved her and hung up. One more drink, and I’d try the apps then head home to her.
“Hey, there’s my golden boy!” Rhett called out as he exited a long black Lincoln.
I shoved my phone into my pocket and extended my hand to greet him. He took it, pulled me in and gave me a quick hug with a pat on the back. “I expect some amazing things from you this season,” he said proudly. “Everyone does.”
“No pressure,” I laughed.
He laughed too. “Are you the first one here?”
“No, the others are inside. I had to call Whitney,” I explained before I could stop myself.
“That’s a beautiful woman you’ve got there,” Rhett said. “Hopefully, she understands you’re a man in demand.”
I grinned nervously and shrugged. “I think she’s still trying to come to terms with that,” I admitted.
“Maybe something to occupy her time is all she needs,” he advised.
He pushed his hand high on my back and walked with me into the club. The players at the bar all welcomed him as we walked in, and I noticed a few of the women eyeing him and whispering to one another. I patted him on the back and motioned towards the table to let him know I was headed back.
Ace was eyeing me as I waited for him to either get up to let me back in or scoot over to make room. “Owner’s pet?” he snarled.
“Scoot the fuck over or let me back in,” I snapped back at him.
He slid out of the booth and stood while I slid back into my spot. “Where’s the shots?” I asked.
“Wow, so your ball and chain didn’t make you come home, or did you finally grow a pair and tell her you’re a beast that can’t be tamed?” Frank and Marty both roared and yelled out, “Beast!” at his comment.
“I’m not staying long, because I want to go home and celebrate with her,” I insisted, stressing the words.
Ace wasn’t buying it, but I knew it was because he had no idea what it felt like to love someone. He waved his hand in the air and quickly ushered the brunette whose ass he had just spanked back to the table.
“We need another round, sweetheart,” he said and then pulled her panties from his pocket and sniffed them. Her cheeks turned bright red, and she reached out to grab them as he dangled them over the table. He was quick to pull them back and offered up a mischievous smile. “You’ll have to work a lot harder than that to get them back,” he taunted her.
Rhett finished his pep talk with the guys at the bar and made his way to our table. “You guys ready for the big game?” he asked, ignoring the panty tug of war going on beside him.
Frank and Marty both let out a loud, “Hell, yes!” while Ace and I simply nodded.
He pulled up a chair just as Angelo was bringing out two large trays of food. “Compliments of the chef,” he said and then turned his attention to Rhett.
The food was not the normal bar munchies they served but gourmet delicacies with pickled ginger garnishing the plate in the shape of a rose, seared leg of lamb with orange marmalade sauce, and a few things I didn’t even recognize but looked like they belonged on the cover of a magazine.
Rhett shared a shot with us, then left with the twins Ace had scored earlier. “Looks like your main course is gone.”
“Still have my appetizer,” he grinned in the direction of the brunette.
Frank found a curvy blonde that, after four shots of Patrón, said looked like Anna Nicole Smith. We all egged him on to talk to her and watched from the table as he tried to lay out some game. He shocked us when he came back to the table with her hanging on his arm. “I’ll catch you guys later,” he said coolly.
Marty took off too, not interested in picking up any women. “He’s a tart,” Ace said as he left.
“Marty?” I asked. “No way.”
“You never see him with a woman,” Ace pointed out. “And that bad breakup… there was never any proof that was a chick.”
Ace had just enough tequila to turn him into an ass. Most days it took zero alcohol, but on others, four shots was about the right amount.
I was beginning to feel the drinks and knew it was time to head home. “I’m gonna hit the head,” I announced and slid from the booth.
I splashed water on my face to completely sober myself up enough to drive home and then moved to the urinal. The door busted open. Ace held the brunette around the waist and smiled as I shoved my dick back in my pants. His hands slid up her sides, sliding her skirt past her hips.
“Time for a quick snack,” he boasted while bending her over and spreading her cheeks wide for me to envy his freedom. I had to admit I did a little, but one-night stands were never my thing — well, at least I didn’t think so — so he could have at it.
“You really are a sick fuck, Ace,” I laughed and left him to tend to his giggling hussy.
I said goodbye to the team members still left at the bar and headed out the front door. While I waited for the valet to gather my car, I slid my phone from my pocket. It was barely nine o’clock, still early, and no missed calls or messages from Whitney.
“You coming or going?” a familiar female voice sounded in my ear. I turned to see Caroline standing close to my left side. Her hot breath was still tickling my ear as my eyes widened and my mouth fell open without any words. She giggled. Damn, she had a sexy laugh.