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We all laugh at that. Eli nudges me playfully.
“Where is the old man?” I ask Katie. “I haven’t gotten to wish him a happy birthday yet. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. I’m surprised he even remembers me.”
She looks right past us, a wild smile growing on her flawless face.
“Speaking of the handsome devil,” Katie says, lighting up like a Christmas tree. She reminds me so much of Sloan—making everyone around her feel special. But the way she shines when she looks at her husband is on a whole other level.
Darren gives her a quick kiss before embracing Eli and me.
“Thank you both for coming. It’s been too damn long, Easy, and even longer for you, Quinn. I’m glad to see you are still putting up with this guy,” he says, patting Eli on the back.
“What can I say… he’s hard to get rid of.” We all laugh, but I see the faint look of hurt flash across Eli’s face, and the words suddenly taste sour in my mouth.
“Katie would have to hire John Wick in order to get rid of my ass, so I totally get it,” Darren says with a chuckle, and Katie smacks him on the butt.My kinda girl.
“I know some of our rookie pitchers are dying to meet the great Eli “Easy E” Barton… you down for a little grown man fan-girling?” Darren asks Eli, who shoots me a look.
“You go… I’ll go get us some drinks,” I say to Eli before turning to Katie. “It was so nice to meet you. I know you have a lot of people to entertain, but I would love to get together with the kiddos while we are here in Tampa. Do you want to exchange numbers?”
She nods eagerly as Eli gives me a gentle kiss on my temple. I pull my phone out of my clutch and take her number.
Minutes later, I am standing at one of the cocktail tables, people-watching, when I feel a warm hand on the exposed part of my lower back.
* * *
Eli
Shit, I’m really getting tired of seeing this guy lingering around Q. One would think that after the beach barbecue, he would’ve gotten the hint, but nope. Dylan is really trying to shoot his shot with her.
I’m too distracted by Dylan's hand hovering around Q’s lower back to focus on whatever the fuck Darren is saying to me and the guys. Something I don’t think she’s aware of until his fingers skim her exposed skin, causing her to take a step away.Get your fucking hand off her.
Thankfully, we’re in a circle of people, so when I pretend to get a call in order to escape, it doesn’t seem too rude.
“Looking a little empty there. Here you go, babe,” I say, replacing Quinn’s almost empty glass with a fresh Ranch Water. Her current drink of choice.
“Ah, thank you.” Quinn grins at me and steps into my side.Atta girl.
I put my hand on her lower back, wanting to replace the last touch that was there.
Taking a sip of my drink, I eye Dylan, hoping that my presence will be enough for him to get the hint without this having to progress any further.
“Hey, man, great party, right?” Dylan interjects.
“Yeah, good times,” I respond. My tone is clipped, and Quinn smirks at me. She knows damn well why I'm over here, and she’s enjoying every minute of it.
“You know what? I think it’s about that time I check on the girls. It’s been what… thirty minutes?” She lets out a small laugh, then excuses herself, heading toward the house.
Dylan and I stand there in awkward silence, listening to the music streaming from the speakers. Considering he hasn’t moved away from me yet proves he’s fucking oblivious to the fact that Queenie is mine.
When his eyes don’t leave her backside, I know I need to enlighten him.
“Eyes off,” I practically growl. His eyes dart to mine, and I continue. “Listen, I’m only going to say this once since I thought I made it pretty clear the last time… but Quinn is unavailable.”
“Oh shit, I'm sorry, brother… I didn’t realize. I was only told that she was your best friend from home, not that there was anything more going on between you.”
Of course, he wouldn’t know.No oneis aware there's anything more to our relationship. And there wasn’t up until last night. Thank fuck for that. If I didn’t get a taste of her soon, I was going to literally go insane.
The way her body melted under my touch…Don’t go there, Eli. Not right now. Fuck.
