“Alex.” Brett’s voice prompts me to look up. He sets two drinks and a round beeper thing down.
“You need to let this go, okay?” His fingers go under my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.
“I feel really guilty about Raven. She’s probably never going to be able to shop at Jimmy Choo again.”
“Raven is fine. Trust me, she has enough shoes, and my brother has enough money. She can do whatever she wants. She’s the last person you need to feel bad about,” he says as his thumb caresses my lips.
“Okay?”
“’Kay.” I nod.
“Here. Drink.” He puts the straw to my mouth, and I take a sip.
“Another.” His voice sounds deep, intimate.
I take another sip, the citrus from the lime and slight sweet flavor of the gin making my whole mouth feel refreshed.
“Now, let’s see what you’ve got.” He leans down to brush his lips against mine.
I smile and whisper, “Not gonna lie, I’m good. I played pool every night with my brother in the winter.”
“Not gonna lie.” He grins as he leans forward and bites my lower lip. “I see the whole table as a mathematical equation of lines and angles. Bring it.”
And there goes my stomach again. Does he have any idea how intoxicating he is? Of course, he does, but whatever. I’m here with him. I do plan on kicking his ass, though.
He sets the drink down and cages me in with both arms. “Is that your brother?”
God, that dimple. Wait, what?
“My brother?” I lean back and look over his arm.
“The TV, babe. Remember? We’re watching the game.”
I blink at him, then start laughing. It’s either that or cry, because this day…
“You scared me,” I huff. “That would be a disaster.” I glance up at the TV.
“What? You don’t think your brother would like me?” He tosses the straw out of his glass to bring the drink to his lips.
“No.” I laugh, then stop because he frowns. “I mean, he would not approve because you’re my… you know…” I mouth, “Professor,” as my eyes dart around the loud room. Thankfully, no one is paying us any attention.
Brett turns and leans his elbows on the table. “Does he know about us?”
“Of course not. I mean, he knows I’m seeing someone, that I… like someone.” What is with me today? At this point, I’m thinking I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed. I grab my drink.
Brett watches me, then looks up at the screen. And there’s Jude’s handsome face. He nods as he listens to his coach, and my heart aches because I forgot to text him this morning to say good luck.
“You guys are close?”
“Very. He’s my best friend.”
I turn, our faces inches apart. His eyes caress my face, and it’s there. This wild, uncontrollable connection. He has to feel it, right? He must hear the way my heart pounds just being near him. God, I’m so in love with him, it hurts.
“Talk to me, Baby Girl.” His full lips are right next to mine.
Do I dare tell him?
I open my mouth—this is it, screw the consequences—only to scream as the annoying buzzer goes off. Like an alien bug on our table, it vibrates around loudly, red light flashing.
“Relax, babe, it’s just our food.” Brett laughs, kissing me, then grabs the buzzer and walks to the bar.
“Jesus.” I exhale. I was going to tell Brett Powers that I’m in love with him. I close my eyes, trying not to beat myself up, but seriously, What am I doing?
This is not the time or place to do this. I take another calming breath and open my eyes to see Brett and the bartender carrying plates of food.
Brett places some nachos with what looks like the kitchen sink on them and a Caesar salad in front of me. The bartender goes around me to place fried cheese sticks and potato skins on the table.
“Can we get two shots of Jameson, also?” Brett calls out.
“A salad?” I say, looking at the table.
He smiles. “Balance, my love, it’s all about balance.” This time I’m the one laughing as he scoops up a glob of sour cream on a cheesy chip and feeds it to me.
“Oh God, that’s really good,” I groan.
His eyes darken, and he feeds me another bite, then leans down to take my mouth, his tongue twisting with mine, stealing all the nachos from me as I moan.
“Here we go.” The bartender clears his throat.
Brett slowly lifts his head, but stays focused on me while the bartender places the two shots in front of us.
“How about we make a bet?”
I arch a brow. “Sure.”
“If I win, you sit on my face.” He winks as I freeze midbite, eating a cheese stick.
“God, Brett.” I shake my head. “Sure, since I know I’m gonna kick your butt. What if I win?”
He shrugs, eating a chip. “Name it.”
My eyes narrow as the crowd at the bar cheers at something.
“Hmm.” I stand, pulling my dress down. “Anything I want…?” I walk over to the pool cues.
“Anything.” He motions to the screen. “And your brother just scored a touchdown.”
The bar explodes again, and I turn.
He laughs as he backs up, raising his hands. “This is not my fault that you’re distracted and not watching the game.”
“It is too,” I snap, watching the replay, digging my nails into his bicep. “I’m so proud. Look at him, Brett.”
“You should be. He’s gonna go all the way. I bet he goes pro.” He walks over to the pool table and starts racking the balls.
“You think so? I don’t know. I mean, my dad has made it really clear he expects him to get his degree in case something happens.”
Reaching for my drink, I try to stay focused, which is not easy because Brett is moving the rack in place with his strong hands. It’s enough to almost make me groan out loud.
“What do you think he should do?” He looks up at me, and the world stops when I lose myself in his fucking blue eyes. And for the first time in my life, I actually say what I think, not what my dad or even Jude would say.
“I think he has a million-dollar arm and should go for it.”
He straightens and grins. “I think you’re right. You want to break?”
“Yes,” I puff out, trying to calm myself as my nipples harden. I reach for the chalk to use on the end of the cue stick.
Smiling, I can feel his eyes on me when I lean over. Getting ready to break, I look up.
“If I win…” Leaning forward, I gracefully snap the cue ball hard. The balls scatter like mice, and I pocket two.
I smile triumphantly. His eyes lock onto mine, and I feel like I just scored a touchdown.
“Lay it on me, Baby Girl.”
“If I win…”
ALEXANDREA
I smell coffee and the ocean… I groan, blinking my eyes open only to close them at the bright sun in his room.
“Oh my God.” Resting my hand over my eyes, I try to decide if the alcohol I drank is going to stay down, or if I need to puke.
“Drink some water.” Brett’s voice makes my fevered body pebble with goose bumps.