“Uh, yeah. I mean, I can’t stop you.”
“Right.” He clears his throat. “Hutch will be there. The girls, too. Auden’s dad has insisted she take a night off, so he has Alana.”
I knew that, but I don’t tell him. It’s been a week since I went to her house for girls’ night, and since then, we’ve been texting regularly. Sometimes it’s just funny memes about hockey or whatever ridiculous thing the Serpents’ social media team has posted now, and sometimes it’s pictures of Alana. Occasionally,it’s personal updates, and the text I got earlier asking if I was working tonight was just that. We’ve been slammed since people like to take the game in here, so I haven’t had a chance to answer her. I suppose it doesn’t matter now.
“It’s fine,” I tell Gavin. “Besides, it’s not like I can avoid my brother forever.”
Usually, I’d say something snarky, likeeven though I wish I could, but that’s not exactly true anymore. After talking with Auden, I kind ofwantto hang out with Reed, get to know him properly. Even when I was a young girl, I wanted a sibling. We may have already been technical siblings for years, but we certainly haven’t acted like it. Perhaps it’s time to.
“All right. I’ll be there in ten, then.”
“Ten? Didn’t the game just end?”
“I showered fast. No way I’m waiting hours to kiss you.”
I smile. “Careful, Gavin. It sounds like you might have a crush on me or something.”
He mumbles something I can’t quite make out, but it sounds a lot like,Way more than a fucking crush.I don’t comment on that as we hang up, and I go back to work. Now that the game’s over, it’s a lot less crowded, though I assume that won’t last long when everyone catches wind of the team being here. That won’t be my problem for much longer, though.
I’m wiping down the sticky countertops when I feel him. Not see—feel. I snap my gaze up to find him striding through the bar, heading right for me.
“Josh?” I call to my manager.
“Yeah?”
“Do you need me to do anything else?”
He looks up to see Gavin standing there, staring at me, eighteen inches of bar top keeping us apart.
“Nah. You’re free to go. I’m sure your brother isn’t far behind.”
I don’t bother undoing my apron—I just walk around the bar and grab Gavin’s hand, tugging him toward the darkened hallway. Once we’ve slipped into the shadows, I’m on him. I push up on my tiptoes and smash my mouth against his, loving the muffled growl that leaves him as he pulls me closer, his hands digging into my waist so hard it might bruise.
“Fuck,” he says against my lips, biting at me gently. “Missed you.”
I chuckle. “You just saw me a few hours ago.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Too long ago.”
I want to roll my eyes at his ridiculousness, but I can’t. I’m too busy being assaulted by his touch, his mouth now on my throat on that spot he knows drives me wild. Besides, he’s right. Itdoesfeel like too long. We make out like high schoolers for I don’t even know how long, and it’s me who comes up for air first.
“Gavin…” I whine, wanting more but knowing I can’t have it. “We should stop.”
“We should.”
“It sounds like there’s abutat the end of that sentence.”
“Because there is.”
He kisses me again, and I melt into him. It’s always like that. I’m always sinking into his touch, no matter how small it is. That’s a problem. I know it is, but it’s one I’ll deal with later. Right now, I just want to enjoy it.
We eventually get our wits about us and manage to keep our hands off each other long enough to catch our breath properly.
“We really should head out there,” he says. “They’re probably wondering where I am. I did leave first, after all.”
I nod. “Good point. Want me to go first?”
“Please. I, uh, kind of have a situation going on right now.” He gestures toward his crotch, and I let my eyes fall right to hissituation.
