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“Highly doubtful. I can park anywhere I want. In fact, the owner would gladly give up his spot if I asked.”
I mentally rolled my eyes. Why was I surprised? I smoothed my hands over my thighs and peered around the parking lot. It was packed to the max. “We have to be careful in public.”
“You think I’d let anyone see something I didn’t want them to see?” His eyes were shuttered, and it made me wonder who he was. Dmitri was difficult to label and place in a category. “Analyzing me again?” He raised an eyebrow with indifference.
“You confuse me,” I said softly.
“I confuse myself.” Something flashed in his eyes before it was gone, and he was leading me to the door.
When we stepped inside, the place was wall-to-wall packed with students and fans laughing and talking animatedly, apparently still high on the win today. He stood out, and the crowd started parting as he approached like he was royalty. He had a firm hand on my back, keeping me from getting lost in this sea of people. Unfortunately, it took a while for us to get very far because at least twenty people stopped him along the way to either congratulate him on scoring three touchdowns or lamenting over what they said was a “bullshit call” for him to get tossed from the game.
I saw Theo wave us over as they sat in the back with the sign “reserved” on the table they were at. The whole gang was here. “Missed you after the game, troublemaker,” Axel said as he pulled a chair out next to him.
Axel actually noticed I wasn’t on the field to celebrate after the win? I glanced down at my calf ruefully. “I felt a pull in my calf late in the game, so I went to the locker room and put ice on it.” That was the best lie I could come up with.
“Oh no,” Kenzie said. “I hope you’re okay.”
“Thanks.”
I caught Roman staring between Dmitri and I, rubbing his chin in thought. “Is she okay?” He directed his gaze at Dmitri with a look that could only be described as knowing I just spewed a lie.
“Why would you ask me? She’s sitting right here. She told me it wasn’t bothering her as much as it was when she was on the field.” Dmitri had his arms crossed and legs spread wide with his usual bored expression. “It’s amazing what ice can do.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Roman held out his mug of beer in mock salute.
I was lost on this conversation. “It does feel better,” I added lamely.
Dmitri snapped his finger, and a beautiful blond waitress magically appeared. I wanted to strangle him for his arrogant behavior, but our server didn’t seem bothered in the least. “Hey, babe, what can I get you?” Her shirt looked like it was three sizes too small, and her giant boobs fought to pop out through the deep V-neck. Was she going to pull out a pen and write her number on his hand, as well? I needed to get a grip. He ordered us two IPA beers.
“There’re already pitchers of beers on the table,” I said, pointing to them.
“I don’t drink that domestic beer shit.” Dmitri scrunched his nose. “I tolerate craft beer because they don’t have a vodka in here worthy of drinking.”
“What do you expect, D?” Nick asked. “This is a college dive bar. College kids don’t give a shit about the premium status of alcohol. Hell, they would all drink Everclear and punch and be perfectly happy. Fucked-up, but happy.”
“Such a shame.” Dmitri opened a menu and held it out to me. “What do you want?And it better not be a fucking small house salad with a vinaigrette on the side. You need to eat something substantial.”
“Anything else, master? You want to order food for me, too?”
He glanced down at the menu between us. “I certainly can.” He raised the menu up higher in front of our faces and nosed into my ear. “You’re fucking turning me on, so I suggest you tone down the sass.”
I closed my eyes and swallowed as my thighs clenched. “Stop,” I exhaled unsteadily. He was the one who was trouble, so much trouble.
“Sorina,” Theo called out, and I peered over the menu. “Kenzie and I want to share some appetizers. Would you like to go in with us?”
“Sure.”
After everyone indulged in food consisting of cheesy fries, hot wings, fried spring rolls, and several drinks, the guys decided to play darts.
“You barely touched the food.” Kenzie pointed to the few half-eaten appetizers on my plate.
“I did eat,” I lied. My brain was trained to question every piece of food I put in my body, and I thought I’d done a good job of hiding it tonight. Normally, people weren’t so observant. Those stupid words from my past always lingered in my head.
“Theo, did you finish your paper?” I deliberately reached in and grabbed a fry, dragging it in ranch dressing to prove a point.
“Almost. And you?”
“I started it. Does that count?” I would have to work on it all day tomorrow, nonstop, to finish. “What about you?” I nodded at Kenzie, who seemed to drop the food conversation.
