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“I paid the bill,” I said with a shrug. “Then I came looking for your sorry asses.”
It was definitely getting late, but the sports bar we’d agreed upon was known for its late closing times. It sure as hell wasn’t known for its food.
“Why didn’t he just use the front door?” asked Tyler.
“Or the back door, even,” Zane added.
Once again, I shrugged. “Maybe he thought I might see him? Who the hell knows?”
The table before us was scattered with the remains of our late-night feast: cheeseburgers, fried pickles, and a three-quarter eaten poutine pizza, half of which had been downed by Axel. Not a single busboy had come to remove anything, in all the hours we’d been here. The waitress had come five times with more drinks, however.
“Look, this is the third and last time I’m telling the story,” I chuckled. “Whether you believe me or not—”
“Oh, we believe you,” Tyler cut in. “It’s just… well…”
He hesitated, searching my expression to make sure he could go on. I tightened my mouth into a smirk and gave him the go-ahead.
“It’s just that no one’s ever bled themselves to get out of a date with you, before.”
If we weren’t so many beers in, I might’ve kicked him under the table. Instead, I joined in on their laughter. I was buzzed. Happy. Sated. Lazily dissecting the remains of a hot-fudge sundae, while surrounded by my three best friends in the world.
Told you that you could salvage the night.
I looked at Axel, who’d been on and off his phone all night — presumably with puck-bunnies. It was hard not to smile. The jealousy I felt before was gone now, and I was actually happy for whatever midnight hookup he might be arranging.
Tyler was staring at his phone just as much, but I didn’t envy his messages at all. If I had to guess, his overly-controlling girlfriend was firing off an endless stream of nonsensical bullshit, mostly aimed at getting him home. Not that he even lived with her, mind you; he lived with Axel. As always though, Lexus just wanted him anywhere but out.
I hated to see it, too. Tyler and I once lived next door to each other, and I’d known him most of my life. We’d grown up together, braved the perils of puberty together. As friends we’d fought each other’s battles and stood up for each other through thick and thin. I’d watched him grow from an awkward, gangly boy into this tall, gorgeous man who towered over me at six-foot-four. We were connected on levels only childhood friends understood. I’d always felt like a part of Tyler belonged to me, and vice-versa.
That left Zane, who spent the night throwing me the usual side-eye and flicking pickle chips my way. I spent equal amounts of time sticking my tongue out at him and admiring his deeply-tanned, Italian frame. His chestnut eyes and sexy, stubbled goatee made him easy to look at, all throughout high school and beyond. He’d also been my hometown buddy, sticking around Seattle those few lonely years when Tyler and Axel were off doing the college thing.
“So did you win tonight?” I asked, having missed the entirety of their game.
“Nah,” Axel grumbled. “We lost by a goal.”
He shot a semi-accusatory glance at Zane, who of course was goaltending. As usual, Zane didn’t even acknowledge him.
“I guess we’re all losers then,” Tyler winked at me. “Right?”
“Well, not necessarily…” I teased.
The guys leaned back in their chairs and regarded me curiously.
“This particular date might’ve bombed, but I’ve got another one lined up for tomorrow night,” I explained. “So there’s always redemption.”
“Oh yeah?” challenged Zane. “A date with who?”
“Garth.”
I dropped the name and then quickly sipped my beer, waiting for the other shoe to inevitably drop. I didn’t have to wait long.
“Garth?” Tyler repeated. “That blonde defenseman on the Mother Puckers?”
“Yup.”
“That Garth?” Axel swore.
“So?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice from becoming too defensive. “I like Garth. He’s kinda cute.”
