“Something like that,” I say instead of explaining myself fully. How would I even explain what’s happening? Hey guys, Sookie and I have been dancing around each other. I’ve caught some sort of feelings that I don’t understand and he’s said he’s getting laid tonight and I really can’t handle the thought of it being anyone but me so help me get dressed so I can go find him.
Right. That sounds super normal.
Rin pulls out his phone and gets to work. Rodney hands me a tight black shirt from the back of my closet and I immediately put it on. Then he gives me a pair of black jeans. I didn’t even know I had these. Where the fuck did he even find them?
“Perfect,” Rodney says, nodding his head. “Now wear this over the shirt,” he says, handing me a green plaid shirt. He rolls up the sleeves for me and leaves it open in the front.
Once I’m dressed, I grab my phone and order myself an Uber, needing to get to the club as quickly as I can. Rodney is messing with my hair, styling it for me. I look over at Rin, hoping he’s found what I need.
“I think I’ve found him,” Rin finally says, passing me the phone. He’s gone through the team’s social media account, pulling up the video and skimming through until there’s a shot of the ref.
“Fuck,” I breathe out without meaning to. If Sookie wasn’t lying, which I really don’t think he was, this is what he looks like. He’s wearing the dark blue polo of the official referee uniform. His eyes are narrowed as he looks down at a player that’s arguing with him. His hair is dark and messy yet somehow falling perfectly around his ears and forehead. He’s got piercings in both of his ears, a bar across the helix of his left ear.
Jesus fucking Christ. Sookie isgorgeous.
“That’s him?” Rodney asks, leaning over my shoulder to take a peek.
“Yeah,” I breathe out. “That’s him.”
“Shit. He’s hot as fuck. And he puts up with your grumpy ass? You better go get your man.”
My man. The words are said playfully but they light something up inside my chest. Something ugly and possessive. My inner alpha is showing his fangs, wanting to ruin this man for anyone but me. I want him carnally. I want him in a way that should be terrifying but only seems to make my dick hard.
Fuck.
“He’s not my man,” I force myself to say but the looks that Rin and Rodney throw in my direction tell me it wasn’t very convincing. “He’s not! I don’t even know what’s happening between us.”
“Okay,” Rin says slowly. “And in a perfect world, what would youwantto happen?”
I cross my arms over my chest and stare up at the ceiling for a moment, really thinking about his question. He’s not trying to tease me, Rin genuinely wants to know so I want to give him an earnest answer.
“Honestly? I don’t fucking know. We’ve been getting to know each other lately, playing this stupid question game. As long as the question is interesting, he answers honestly and I feel like a starved dog inhaling scraps any time I learn just a little bit more about him. He’s a barista sometimes. Sometimes he models for the university. Today I learned he was the head ref during that match we attended. Every little thing I learn makessomethinglight up inside my chest that I don’t have a name for. He drives me up the fucking wall but he can keep up with my banter and hand it out just as quickly. I don’t fucking know, you guys. I wasfinejust having this fun banter with him but then he sent that stupid care package and now everything is all wonky! Now he’s telling me he’s going to the club and to come find him! What does that evenmean? What the fuck does hewantfrom me?”
By the time the words are done pouring from my mouth I’m practically panting. It feels like I’ve just run a marathon instead of confiding in my friends. I look down at the ground, groaning in frustration, grabbing at my freshly styled hair.
“Okay,” Rin says slowly, putting a hand on my shoulder. “First of all, take a breath. You’re okay.”
I suck in a sharp breath and do my best to let it out slowly.
“I think that’s the most I’ve heard you talk in one go ever,” Rodney says with a smile. “Thanks for trusting us with your feelings, Kei.”
“If you want to hear my thoughts, I think you should go get your man,” Rin says with a grin. “This is the first time you’ve felt like this about someone. I know your usual relationship only lasts for a night, but I think this could be special, whatever it is happening between you and Sookie.”
“I agree,” Rodney says with a nod. “It’s not often you find someone who can dig themselves under your skin. Take a chance. Chase after him if he wants a chase. Have fun with him and see what happens.”
“And if it’s a worse case, at least you’ll have one night of fun. You said it yourself, Kei. Being stuck in the ‘what if’ is hell.Goand then you’ll know one way or another.”
I take their words to heart, letting them settle inside my chest. “You’re right,” I finally say, nodding my head. “Thank you for the pep talk. I love you guys.” They wait a moment and I pout. “Oh my gods, say it back before I lose it.”
They chuckle and pull me into an awkward group hug. They tell me they love me before shoving me through the house towards the front door. My Uber just arrived so I double check I have my phone, wallet, and keys, before leaving the house.
The drive to Breakdown doesn’t take long and before I know it, I’m stepping inside. It’s a Thursday night so it’s not too crowded but even so, the smell hits me all at once.
I have to stop for a moment, doing my best to keep my composure. It’s so fucking much. It’s too much but I can’t leave now. I’m too close to getting exactly what I want.
Putting a hand over my nose and my mouth, I breathe through my mouth, trying to settle into something that I can handle. My head is swimming and my sinuses feel like they’re going through the very pits of hell.
I look around the club, trying to find Sookie. As much as I wish I would have taken my pills, the ones that mute my sense of smell, I couldn’t. I need to be able to smell Sookie. I need to use his scent to find him just as much as I need my eyes.
