“We were friends.” I feel like a broken record with how often I’ve said that phrase. “We hung out and talked and laughed. You don’t actually have to have sex before you enter in a relationship, it’s not like we got married.”
“I thought only the Amish did that anymore.” Aviana’s beautiful face crumples like she smells something putrid.
A lot of blogs think that Aviana is putting on an act for the cameras, but I can say with one hundred percent certainty that she is not. She’s just as over the top and ridiculous in her everyday life.
She also has a makeup artist on call.
She’s glam goals.
Plus, Crosby adores her and they have one of the healthiest relationships I’ve ever been around. Granted, I did miss their rather messy beginning.
“I literally cannot with you right now.” I shake my head to keep from laughing. “I’m going to go walk around, but if you need anything, Abby’s been informed of all of your drink preferences.”
The Mustangs are playing in Seattle today so the game is starting a little later than when they have a home game, but the early risers and enthusiastic drinkers are already here. While home games are still full here, it’s the away games that bring the huge crowds to HERS. And now that the film crew will be here, everyone who wants the chance to be seen on TV signs a release form before they’re seated. I have select tables away from where filming usually takes place so they don’t need to worry, but today every person who has stepped foot inside has signed a release.
I’m making my rounds around HERS, catching up with old customers, introducing myself to new ones, when a large hand squeezes my hip.
One thing to know about me, I hate being touched, like loathe it. I’ve had to train my friends that I’m not an enthusiastic hugger and to try and avoid it at all costs. So I know two things about the hand on me right away. One, it belongs to a man, and two, he is not a friend.
My hackles instantly rise and my bitch face slides into place as I turn while removing the hand from my body. Then my bitch face slips just a bit when the person staring back at me is none other than Theo Lewis.
“Theo! Um, hi!” I take a step back, Maxwell’s warning to stay away from him bouncing around in my head. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” He—thankfully—stays in place and doesn’t try to close the space I just created. “I heard this is the spot to come to on game day, figured I’d come early to get a seat to cheer on my baby bro, but it looks like I underestimated the female fan base’s dedication.”
“Most people usually do.” And luckily for me because I was able to tap into an underserved market. “There are some open tables further in the back, but I just added more TVs so you don’t have to worry about missing the game.”
“But what if I’m more worried about missing you?” His gaze slides down my body in a move I’m sure has turned on more than one woman, but leaves me feeling the opposite.
I let out a laugh that sounds as awkward and uncomfortable as I feel. “Well, you’re SOL on that one. Game days leave me swamped, but my waitresses are the best.”
“But are they—” He starts what is sure to be another lame pickup line but is cut off by the shrill voice I never thought I’d be happy to hear.
“Brynn!” Eloise yells out before wrapping her arms around me, making me go stiff.
Ugh. What is it with people’s lack of respect for personal space today? This is why I like being behind the bar, it’s an automatic barrier.
“Hey, Eloise.” I pat her back once and pull out of her arms. “What are you doing here?”
“HERS is the official place to watch Mustangs games and have good drinks, isn’t it?”
“Unofficially official, I guess,” I say warily, eyeing the woman in front of me who has mastered casual glam.
“That’s what I thought.” She smiles, and it’s a real, warm smile, and loops her arm through my elbow, leaning into my ear. “I texted Max last night seeing if he wanted to get together this week and he told me that you two are seeing each other. I made some bad jokes while I was drinking, but I’m really happy for you both. I just want you to know I’m not that person who’d try and step on another woman, especially for a man. A hot man, but a man. Plus, I really love HERS, so I don’t want you to ban me.”
She talks a lot, but even so, when she’s done, I can’t manage anything besides an openmouthed stare. This has been a weird week, but this is probably the thing I least expected to happen.
When I don’t say anything, her ruby lips spread wider and she turns her attention to Theo. “Brynn, I think since you got my last love interest, you should introduce me to my newest.”
Damn.
I think I might actually really like Eloise.
“Oh.” I pause, contemplating if I should introduce them or not. I know firsthand how messy family shit can be and just how much grudges can take on a life of their own. “This is Theo Lewis, Maxwell’s brother.”
“Oh.” Eloise lets go of my arm. “I guess it’s only fair that if you get Max, I get to meet his insanely attractive brother.”
Theo’s eyes widen just a fraction at that. “So you’re who has my brother so distracted,” he says, not waiting for an answer before he turns his attention and hand over to Eloise.
Eloise places her manicured hand in his, her pale skin against his dark a flawless combination.
“And he’s a cop,” I whisper in her ear, forgetting all about what Maxwell said and getting lost in Eloise’s fun, flirtatious attitude.
“Well then.” Eloise’s chest pokes out a little further than it was moments ago. “Where are we sitting, Theo?”
I take that as my signal to leave. When I turn around, my gaggle of nosy bitches—said in the most loving way—are staring at me with jaws to the floor . . . again. Vonnie comes out of her stupor first, lifting a single finger in the air and crooking it my way.
And like the obedient friend I am, I curve through the tables, making sure to not forget a single detail along the way. Besides, what good is owning a bar if part of your day doesn’t revolve around gossiping with your girls?
Twenty-five
I’ve never been the girl to stand around, waiting for my boyfriend to come home.
Partly because I resented the idea of my world revolving around a man and also because I’ve never had a boyfriend.
But when Maxwell called me after the game—they won—and asked if I’d wait for him at his house, I damn near ran people off the road to get over here.