"Do you believe him?" Nick asked Becca.
"Not for a moment," she replied. She gave me a smile and an eyebrow wiggle.
Maybe Nick wasn't so good for helping me score points after all.
"So, tell me about these exploits," Becca said slowly. "Off the record, of course."
"It better be," I growled. I tried to stay out of trouble, but it sometimes found me. Once in a while things happened which would absolutely not do wonders for my reputation.
"There was that time we woke up next to three naked models," Nick said.
A flash of something crossed Becca's face. Not quite annoyance. Disappointment, perhaps?
"That was a dream of yours," I said firmly. "Or someone else." Okay, I'm only human. I've thought about being in bed with three women before. Or four. Or two; there's no need to be greedy.
Living the life I did, I could have made it happen, but I hadn't. If that kind of thing leaked to the press, they'd milk it for longer than three hot models taking turns with my dick. So to speak.
But right then, I just wanted one. And this conversation wasn’t going to help me get her.
Nick snapped his fingers. Or tried to. With all the alcohol in his system, he only rubbed them on each other. He tried again a few times before he gave up.
"Anyway, yeah, that was Jace." Nick rubbed the side of his head with his fingertips. "I still don't remember how we got there. The ladies didn't seem to mind too much." He smiled broadly at the memory.
Once in a while, I envied guys who had regular nine to five jobs, and could get up to whatever they liked. I know, I'm a brat. I have everything I've ever wanted, and I still envy someone else. Only once in a while though.
"As long as everyone was consenting, then it sounds like you had an…interesting time," Becca said. Did she seem relieved? I probably imagined it, but part of me hoped I didn't. Only for the bet, of course. The fact she made my heart race had nothing to do with it at all. Nope. Neither did the fact I couldn't get her out of my head when we weren't together.
I sighed softly out my nose. She and Nick chatted about—I don't know what, I only half-listened. While they talked, I watched her face. Her blue eyes were so full of warmth, empathy, and humour. She laughed at Nick's jokes, a flash of white teeth and a dimple in her cheek. Her freckles made her look young and naive, but I wanted to run the tip of my tongue over them. She had a few on her chest too. How far down did they go? What happened when she blushed? Did they darken, or did the pink take over and…
"Ain't that right, Hawkie?"
"Huh?" I looked up. "Sorry, what?"
Nick gave me a knowing look. "I said the Humpbacks are on track to cream the competition this year. Right?"
Considering the direction my thoughts had been going, it took a moment to get my brain to register what he meant bycream.
Eventually, I managed to grin. "Absolutely. We'll wipe the floor with them and send them all home to cry to their mommies."
"Not that you'll be bad winners," Becca said. She looked at me sidelong, but I thought she was teasing.
"Not where anyone can hear," I said with a smirk. I held that expression for a moment, before I relaxed and smiled. "We'll be the most gracious winners football has ever seen. In public and in private."
"I look forward to hearing your thoughts after every game," she said.
For a moment I thought she might tell Nick about the bet. Thankfully she didn't. Telling Bam was one thing. Nick would give me hell for the rest of our days if he knew. Worse, he'd probably want to join in on the wager. I'd bet a year's salary he'd bet against me. Hell, he'd probably conspire with Becca to make sure they both won. He was a great friend, but he loved a challenge, especially one he knew he'd win.
"So, this is just a business night out?" Nick asked. He looked from one of us to the other, confusion on his face.
"Oh no, we're on a date," I said before Becca could respond.
Nick's mouth formed an O.
"Shit, am I intruding?" He made to stand.
Becca put a hand on his arm.
"Please stay. It's perfectly all right, honest. It's nice to meet people who know the real Hawk."
