“Yeah, maybe in a minute.” I eye the liquors, seeing if there would be something I would be interested in, but a deep laugh draws my attention away from the bottles. It’s a deep rumble, something that shudders down my spine and makes my belly flip. It’s something I find stupid attractive, and my eyes strain to find the source, waiting for it to happen again so I can clock exactly who it was.
There’s a small part in the group, and, of course, the football star himself is standing there, but I pay him no mind. He’s attractive, sure—biceps filling out his tight tee-shirt, muscles borderline popping through the material clinging to his abdomen. His jeans fit him just right, and he sports a million dollar smile with perfectly white teeth, his black hair shaggy but in aI meant to do itway. His tanned skin is inked with all kinds of black lines. I wonder if I could color them in like my own personal coloring book? Wait, no. Not me, I mean, whoever he is with. He’s probably not even gay. I could really use that drink.
“I feel like I need tequila.”
Seth rolls his eyes. “I already said go get it. I can hold our spot.”
“Okay, fine.”
I push off the wall, hand the can to Seth, and proceed to weave through the crowd until I’m belly up with all the bottles.
I just scooch my way, keeping my front pressed tightly against the edge until I’m finally in front of where I need to be. But of course, there are no shot glasses anywhere to be seen.
“Fucking dammit,” I curse as I quickly scan the area again. Right at that time, the same laugh I just became infatuated with rings out again, and my head snaps in that direction for the culprit. What I’m not expecting is for it to behim.
“Fucking dammit,” I curse yet again. Of course, the football star has to be the culprit for that hot-as-sin laugh.
He shifts side to side, and that’s when I see them: the sleeve of plastic shot glasses standing tall behind him, which also means talking to him.
CHAPTER THREE
KAI
I laughat something my buddy says. Honestly, I’m not even sure it’s all that funny, but anything to keep my reputation. I’m not sure where my head is tonight. I should be partying it up, getting someone in my bed, and drinking until I can’t remember my own name, but instead, I keep day-dreaming the night away, nursing my second beer. All my friends are well on their way to plastered, but even with it being an off-week, I still can’t get it together enough to care.
“So,” the girl with the nasally sounding voice starts, “what if we play shot or dare?”
I hold back a groan, since the others seem excited to play. I thought we left this shit back in fucking high school, but I guess I’m not getting any younger now, so I might as well enjoy the last bit of youth. There are some big goals for me when I get out of college, ones that don't include going into football professionally, so I might as well live it up.
I take another drink of my beer as I listen to the first round of questions. Reaching behind my back, I grab the sleeve of shot glasses so we’re well prepared.
Obviously, I’ve never played with this group, so I’m not sure how dirty they play, but I do have a feeling a lot of alcohol is about to be consumed.
“Okay, Steven, kiss me or take a shot.”
“Fuck that,” Steven says, grabbing a bottle of vodka and throwing one back. God, these people are so fucking immature. He wipes at his mouth while Nasal pouts.
“Okay, Red, go dance with that chick over there,” he says, pointing, “or shot.”
Red wordlessly leaves the group, talks to the woman, and proceeds to start dancing with her. We all laugh when he hooks a thumbs up over his shoulder and keeps dancing. I guess that was a win for him.
“Well, he gave up his turn, so I guess mine. Uh, Steph, go dance on Red or shot.”
We all laugh again when she runs up behind him. Her hands hook on his hips before she starts grinding on him. Dear lord, I guess we’re all just acting our shoe size tonight.
She comes back and takes a swig of whatever fruit concoction she’s drinking before her brown eyes meet mine.
“Okay, Kai, kiss him or take a shot.”
I follow her finger, locking eyes with the most beautiful pair of green ones I’ve ever seen. They’re a lighter shade, with maybe a touch of gold. His hair is jet black, and he’s muscular. Not like body builder style, but more lean muscles. He’s wearing a black crop top, a dark patch of hair disappearing into his low slung jeans, and he’s looking right at me with a question in his eyes. Obviously, my own perusal has made him uncomfortable, as he turns away from me and worries his lip, but I don’t even give myself another second to think.
I’m breaking away from my group and entering his space.
“Hi, I’m Kai.”
He’s quite a bit shorter than me, enough so that he has to look up when I’m talking to him, and fuck, the trouble I could get into with him.
“I-I’m Jax. I’m sorry, I wasn’t staring. I was just trying to get the shot glasses behind you, but I didn’t want to interrupt. I’m sorry. I, uh, are there any others? I can find more. Or just not use one? I guess I could use a cup. I’m sor-”
