Page 8

Chapter 7

Ainsley

M illie and Liam stepped out onto the red carpet, and I couldn’t help but smile—she looked incredible. The driver took us to the back entrance, so we didn’t have to deal with the press, and it was seriously the best move of the night. We made our way to the back of the modern theatre venue, and Soph and I immediately found the bar, grabbing myself and Millie a Pimm’s cocktail, and Soph ordered an Aperol Spritz.

She leans over singing. “You drink Henn, I drink Aperol Spritz!”

I laugh and sing back “Can’t nobody fuck with my bitch!”

We find several high-top cocktail tables by the bar and post up there for a while until Liam and Millie come in to join us. Shoot, I should have grabbed a drink for Liam as well. I turn around to tell Soph I’m going to get him a drink and will be right back, but I run right into Liam’s chest. I look up at him and he has the biggest freaking grin on his face. Millie comes up right next to him, smiling almost just as hard. Okay, now I know something is going on. These two are up to some shit. I thought they were nervous about the carpet. They look like it was the best fucking time of their lives. I squint at them to let them know I’m sooooo onto them. Liam looks at me and then back to Mils, almost ready to burst with excitement.

“I’m going to grab a drink. Mils, you want anything?”

Their strange actions have me looking between them in confusion. I narrow my gaze even more, trying to pin my older brother down with a stern look.

“I already got her a Pimm's on the table, bro. So, what the fuck is up?”

Millie slides away, placing her hand over her mouth to conceal a laugh. Liam is still looking at me all weird, and I look back at Millie as she steps up to Soph behind me. She leans down and whispers loud enough I can still hear her.

“Just wait... Liam always likes a dramatic moment.”

I swing back around, ready to threaten Liam with a nose flick, only to find him gone, and there are a nice pair of large black dress shoes in front of me. My eyes slowly make their way up to a large, stacked with muscle man with the deepest brown skin before I get to his face. A well-trimmed, thick, black beard, a fresh taper fade, and sponge-curled hair on top. I look into his mocha eyes.

I feel my pussy clench and unclench, taking in this monster of a man in front of me as recognition takes over me.

My mind immediately flashes back to those hot summer days at the park, chasing my best friend around the court. The many sleepless nights I would stay up and tell Millie all about my friend back in Texas, the years no boy at school would ask me to the dance, but I knew if he was in Canada, he would go with me.

A loud gasp escapes my mouth involuntarily, and I squeal a little, turning around to lock eyes with my brother as my eyes double-check to make sure I’m not hallucinating. Liam nods his head in affirmation while laughing his ass off.

I tuck my chin into my neck and close my eyes to keep tears from forming, taking in that my best friend that I lost all those years ago is standing behind me.

He found me.

I thought about this day at least a million times over the years, but pushed it back in my head because I didn’t think it would ever happen. I let the dream die so that I could have hope in other things.

Before I can even fully turn around, I feel enormous arms come over my back to wrap around my shoulders, crossing over my collarbone, where I realize I had been pressing my hands against my heart as if it was too much to handle. The smell of bergamot, leather, and bamboo surrounds me as his hands lay over the top of mine. I feel his beard tickle my neck before his breathless whisper comes out.

“Hey, Sunshine, I missed you.”

I instinctively squeeze his hands back, and then he releases as I turn around to get another look at him.

“Shawn, what on earth? How are you in Toronto?”

I say, as my brain spins, trying to catch up with reality.

I hear Soph burst out laughing, and I turn to look at her as I know she is going to use this moment to speak up…again.

“Hey Lee, you know this is a new players’ event, right? Wasn’t aware you knew the new Titans basketball star I helped fly here from Texas.”

Shawn turns to look at Soph and smiles.

“You’re Sophie! I’ve been meaning to connect with you. Thank you so much for your help in getting here and for the setup. It’s unreal!”

Soph throws back the rest of her Aperol Spritz, clearly already feeling good, “Don’t mention it, honey. You can call me Soph, but if that one in front of you doesn’t climb you like a tree, come find me!” She winks and walks back to the bar for another drink.

The way I immediately want to stake claim all over this man I haven’t seen in years is a little frightening. Shawn smirks just like he did as a kid, but a tall, tan-skinned, Josh Allen wannabe-looking dude interrupts.

He stops, eyeing our group as he clocks Soph behind us.

“Who is climbing who like a tree, and how do I sign up?” His deep voice carries loudly over the crowd.

A fake embarrassed laugh comes out of me as I try to grasp that the most attractive man is beside me, and I’m not the only one who can see that.

“No one, no trees here! We’re in a city. Just buildings, and you have to ride elevators to get up them.”

My eyes widen at how my nervous, rambling words did not help the situation. Everyone laughs harder.

Liam comes up and introduces himself to the tall scruffy man as Soph returns from the bar, letting out the biggest groan. Millie and I look at her as her face morphs into disgust.

“Hi, I’m Liam Harris, Defenseman on the Toronto Blades.” He announces as he extends a hand to the man.

“Well, no shit! Any dude from Canada knows who the fuck you are. I’m Hugh Bouchard, the new tight end for the Toronto Tigers CFL team, but you can call me Bouchey or Bouch.”

When the second Bouchard leaves his mouth, I can already tell he is from Quebec. How does someone from Quebec always pop up out of nowhere?

“Nice, man! I’m Shawn Salisu. Just got here to play for the Toronto Titans as a point forward.”

These three guys are all massive. If they all stood in front of us girls, I’m sure no one would know we were here.

“Yep! Know exactly who you are, too, my man.” He throws his chin up.

“Salisu Strong!” He says as he pounds his chest twice with one fist.

We all chuckle a little, and I look up again at Shawn, still in shock that he is here. Wondering how his sister, his mom, and dad are doing.

He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Dad made it a thing once I started basketball and Nora started volleyball.”

I nod and smile at the mention of his little sister and the family tagline his father created for them.

“How is she?” I smile up at him.

“The most determined student athlete in Texas, but good!”

I smile, thinking how much she would get along with the girls, especially Soph. Liam looks around.

“Well, I don’t know about y’all, but I think we need to get this gala party thing turned the fuck up! My buzz from listening to Shania in the car is dying, and I need at least three more drinks before Burna Boy takes the stage.”

I jump up a little from how excited I am.

“He is sixty percent of the reason I wanted to come. Everyone to the bar!” I shout at the group that has now formed.

Shawn leans in behind me. “What’s the other forty percent of why you came?”

I glance back with a wink. “The players.”

The smirk returns to his face as he comes behind me to place his large hand at the small of my back, guiding me to the bar. My heart rate picks up, and I count to ten in my head to calm down.

Un, deux, trois…

* * *

F ive rounds of shots, a Henny and Ginger Ale in my hand, and a double Henny and Coke in Shawn’s. We make our way to the stage area as the announcer lets us know Burna Boy will take the stage in ten minutes. I definitely should have stopped after three shots, but also I’m so fucking pumped to be here. To take in the moment, I close my eyes and try to soak it all in, ignoring the fact that I need to pee. I stumble on one of my heels, and Shawn’s hand comes around my waist to catch me. I hiccup a ‘thank you’ into his chest. He kisses the top of my head, and chills break out over my entire body.

“Of course, Sunshine!”

Why does every hair stand up on my body just being around this man?

I look up to notice Shawn connecting eyes with Liam. Liam gives him a nod of appreciation for watching out for me as he guides Millie and Soph to the stage. Bouch is already up there waving us over like we’re little kids who can’t find their dad. Soph immediately looks annoyed. Clearly, her disdain for CFL players has not diminished.

Sheesh, I try to make a mental note to ask her about her rough night out because she is still hanging onto whatever happened. The bass drops, and I’m pulled into the swirling, colorful lights around us. I howl. Yeah, like a damn coyote. I need to set this drink down and get a glass of water before I embarrass myself any further. Shawn looks at me.

“You must be excited to see him?”

“Um, duh! I hope he sings every song off of his last two albums. I swear City Boys is about Toronto.”

He lets out a small chuckle. “Do you think they let people dance at these things?”

He smiles over at me, and the little girl who never danced with any boys jumps up and down in my head. I shrug my shoulders.

“I hope so because I’m feeling it. And how do you not dance to Burna Boy when you’re feeling it? Ya know?”

Another hiccup. His smirk returns, and he nudges my shoulder.

“I feel ya. Guess we’ll have to wait and see!”

I gasp, acting surprised. “Oh, Books…were you implying that you wanted to dance with me?”

Pressing a hand to my chest overdramatically.

“Oh, I’m Books now that you’re feeling it? Not Shawn?”

“Of course! Shawn when things are serious, Books, when things are fun, and B when…”

The music turns up more as the crowd roars to life. Shawn yells down closer to my ear.

“B, when what, Lee?”

I look back up at him and just wink, praying that the wink appeared sexy and not like I had an eyelash stuck in my eye. Turning around, I see the spotlight hit Burna Boy and the first notes of Last Last come on. Of course, he starts with his most popular song. Shawn and I sing and look over at our group, who are all singing along as well. My heart is full and I start swaying to the beat, twirling my ass to the beat of the music, like Millie’s mom taught us as teens.

I feel Shawn behind me, swooping his hands down to my hips and pulling me back so my ass is literally pressed directly onto his cock. Well, damn glad everything is in proportion with his body. I immediately hum in satisfaction at his forwardness and drop my head back onto his shoulder, letting him hold onto my hips and follow my movements to the music.

His low voice cuts through the song as his lips brush my ear. “Where did you learn to dance like this?”

I lean back on him. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I feel a laugh on this chest pressed to my back, but I can barely hear its lowness because of how loud the music is. We dance, take a washroom break or two, and grab a couple of bottles of water before the concert ends.

All of us are so far gone that I don’t know how we will get into the right cars. Somewhere towards the end of the set, Bouch came back with more shots, and we all went for it. Not our smartest moment, but Bouch is the best hype man for not smart decisions. I stumble again as we head towards the exit, and Shawn pulls me into him.

“Take off your heels, I’ll carry you.”

“Absolutely not. I’m fine. Really!”

I look at him in shock.

“Come on!” He tries to convince me that leaving this event barefoot is the right move.

“Honestly, I don’t think I can bend over to get them off and stand back up.”

I giggle and sip on water to help sober me up some more. He nods, securing a hand to my hip as we keep walking. Liam and Millie are next to us. Liam is clearly more gone than Millie as he slurs his words.

“Your letters are this way, my friends!”

Bouch looks around.

“Who does he think he is, Santa?”

Millie, Soph, and I all burst out laughing.

“It’s because we called him Postman for the longest time growing up because Liam spelled backwards is mail. So, he is our little Blues-Clue-loving Postman.” I explain to the group.

Liam just tips his head like he has a cap on, clearly proud of the nickname, and we all laugh again. Stepping outside, we find the black SUV and driver that had brought us. Liam spins around, taking in the other cars for the guys out front to take everyone home.

“Okay, new game plan! Books, you have a car service from the team?”

“Yep, right behind yours,” Shawn confirms.

“Excellent! Bouch, what about you?” Liam looks over at him.

“Mine is behind Shawn’s car,” Bouch yells back, and Liam claps loudly like it’s game time.

“It’s like the God’s wanted my plan to happen. Ains, you go with Books; you both live closer, and it will be a shorter ride. Millie is closer to my place, so she can ride with me. Bouchey, you good to get Soph home?”

“Abso-fucking-luetly!”

Bouch says as Soph says “Son of a bitch” at the same time.

Soph comes up behind me.

“Soph, you okay? Do you not like Hugh? Bouchey? Whatever he calls himself?”

She rolls her eyes. “Hugh? More like ew.”

I gasp.

“Oh, got it. You come with us, seriously, I know you were trying to avoid CFL players this weekend. I just thought…well, he is kind of hot, and you were looking for a player and seemed to tolerate him for most of the concert, but please just come with us.”

Soph sighs, “No, no. Go with your recently reacquainted hunk of a man. I’ll be fine with the Ogre over there. He kept bringing me more egg rolls during the concert, so I’ll cut him a little slack tonight.”

“You swear?”

I look at her, staring daggers in her eyes, trying to gauge where her head is at.

“Yep, now promise me to get some tonight? I want to hear all about it tomorrow.” She says, winking and turning around to walk toward Bouch’s car.

Liam looks at all of us.

“Are we ready, team? Everyone text each other in a group chat when you all get home.”

Shawn quips back quickly. “Got it, captain.”

Liam doesn’t look his way; he keeps his eyes on Millie instead, but his hand comes up to flip Shawn off. We all laugh as we pile into the SUVs. Shawn’s hand slips into mine, and warmth engulfs me as sparks shoot through my arm. He must feel it, too, because I see his brows knit together and look down at where our hands connect.

“Bye Mils, bye Soph, love y’all!” I yell, overly enthused thanks to that last shot. Liam looks hurt.

“Hey, what about me? I’m your brother!”

“Okay, yeah, love you too. Take care of Mils!”

Bouch looks visibly hurt that he has been left out of my goodbyes, but Soph smacks his big arm, “Oh boo-Hugh, get over it, you big baby”.

We all laugh, and I yell to Soph, “Hey, get Bouchey’s number and add him to the group text! I’ll do the same for Shawn.”

Soph calls back, “Whatever, works for me. Bye, Glow Stick!”

“Bye!”

The doors to the SUVs close at the same time. I sit back and sigh, slowly peeking my eyes open to see Shawn looking at me, and I smile.

“What are you looking at, Shawn?”

He smirks again. “Glow stick?”

I laugh and snort.

“Oh yeah, when we first met, she said I was her friend that once you snapped me, I lit everyone up like a fucking glow stick. Day or night, I would glow.”

He smiles and looks back at our hands as he twists our open hands to interlace our fingers together, strengthening the bond that feels like it’s snapping into place.

He leans down and whispers in my ear as he pulls me to his side.

“Makes sense, kind of like my Sunshine.”