Page 8

Chapter Eight

Sienna

We’re going to Charley’s. You should join us.

I stare in shock at the text I received from Gavin, who I haven’t spoken to since that kiss. He actually invited me to their favorite hangout. My brother has done this before, and that’s no big deal. Even Nico has done this. Oh, and Frank. Along with a handful of other football players over the last couple of years. After I was silently rejected by Gavin my freshman year, I set my sights on other men—all of them football players, which looking back on it now, was kind of shitty of me. But they were all men who weren’t afraid to show their feelings and were willing to be seen with me. I even dated a few somewhat steadily.

One turned into a possessive asshole I had to dump after two months. Plus, the sex wasn’t that spectacular because he was always drunk and couldn’t get it up. He eventually got kicked off the team because he partied too much.

The other one was sweet but too wishy-washy in bed. Meaning he cared too much about my supposed tender feelings. I realized after I broke up with him that I want someone who takes charge. Who likes to be in command and boss me around in bed. The type who tells me what to do and slaps my ass and all the delicious things that come along with that. But I also want him to be an alpha male who respects me and won’t act like a complete douche when we’re in public. Does that sort of guy exist, or is he a complete unicorn?

I’m not too sure.

I wait for approximately ten minutes to respond to him because I’m not above playing the game, and at about seven minutes in, I receive another text.

Gavin: ???

This man isn’t above ditching the game to gain his answer quickly. I appreciate that. Biting my lip, I type out a response, going for nonchalant.

Me: Oh sorry, I just saw this! When are you going to be there?

He doesn’t hesitate with his answer.

Gavin: I’m headed to Charley’s right now. A bunch of guys from the team are there already.

Hmm. I hope he doesn’t try to set me up with someone else. I mean, we’ve come to an agreement that we’re just friends now. But would he do that? Is he that blind? I have zero interest in any of the guys, even though some of the new recruits are really cute. But they’re like eighteen or nineteen years old, and just ... I don’t mind a younger guy, but they’re not serious enough for me at the moment. Not that I’m looking for anything serious .

Wait a minute. I don’t know what I’m looking for. Not really. I’m just letting things happen and seeing where I end up. Probably not the best way to plan my life, but it’s all I’ve got at the moment.

Me: I’ll be there soon. Give me fifteen minutes.

Gavin: I’ll be waiting.

I stare at his response, wondering if I’m reading too much into it. I’m sure I am. He’s just being nice. Gavin is a nice guy. A little oblivious when it comes to women, but nice. He’s also got that charisma going on. People have always been drawn to him, and not just women. He’s easy to talk to. Has a beautiful smile and a commanding presence. People want to be around him.

Like me.

I go to my room and comb through my closet, pushing aside every option I’ve got. None of it works. I don’t want to wear any of it, and it’s not like I can go shopping. First, I don’t have the time. Second, I don’t have any money to spare. I need to get a job, but I’ve been lazy and living off grant money since I came back here.

Guess I’m sticking with wearing something tried and true.

I find a simple black T-shirt dress, and I pair it with strappy black flat sandals. I slick my hair back into a sleek ponytail, then add some thin silver hoops to my ears. I keep my makeup understated. A little blush on my cheeks and mascara coating my eyelashes. The freckles on my nose have become more prominent thanks to me spending more time outside lately, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Maybe Gavin thinks they’re cute. He did call me Freckles ...

Deciding my outfit is good enough, I grab my phone and head out to Charley’s.

“Yo, Sienna!” My brother throws his arm into the air when he spots me entering the bar, and I head in his direction, shocked that he screamed my name. That’s so unlike Coop, but when I get closer, I can tell he’s already had a few beers by the twinkle in his eyes.

Someone is feeling good tonight.

“Coop.” I hug him because I always do when I see him, and he returns it with extra enthusiasm, squeezing me tight. When my brother drinks, he’s affectionate. “How many drinks have you had?”

“Two.” He holds up three fingers, chuckling as he drops them. “It’s the pretty waitress’s fault.”

“We don’t call them waitresses anymore,” I remind him. “She’s a server.”

“Whatever. She’s hot. Won’t flirt with me, though.” He mock pouts, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do before in my life. “I don’t even know her name.”

Frank appears at Coop’s side, a full mug of beer in his hand. He sets it on the table in front of him. “Here ya go, buddy.”

“You think that’s a good idea?” I ask Dollar.

He shrugs. “You know how it is. I give your brother what he wants, no question.”

“Just don’t get him too drunk.” I look around, trying to spot this server my brother is supposedly flirting with. “In fact, after this one, maybe you should cut him off.”

“You’re no fuckin’ fun, Sienna,” Cooper mumbles, making me laugh.

“You’ll be fine, Coop.” I pat him on the shoulder before I turn and run smack into a solid wall of man flesh.

He’s warm and muscular, and I’d recognize that scent anywhere. His hands curl around my upper arms, steadying me, and I tilt my head back, smiling up at him. “Hey, Gavin.”

“Freckles.” He doesn’t let go of me. “Looking cute tonight.”

Cute. I sort of wished for beautiful or stunning, but I guess I’ll settle for it. “You’re looking good too.”

Gavin is wearing a white polo shirt that offsets his tanned skin and a pair of black shorts. He looks ready to hit the golf course, which is something he does on occasion with “the boys,” meaning Coop, Nico, and Dollar. They claim golf relaxes them, which I think is a lie. More like they bet each other on every round and end up throwing back a few at the clubhouse before they head home. One of them always remains sober, and that’s usually Coop.

“I need to do laundry. I only had a couple of clean shirts,” Gavin admits, releasing one of my arms so he can tug on the collar of his shirt. “You want something to drink?”

“Please.” I sound breathless. I feel breathless, which is dumb. It’s just Gavin. Nothing is going to happen. It doesn’t matter that he wanted me to come out tonight. He’s just my friend. I can’t read too much into this.

But my brain is going into overdrive, and I stand there proudly by Gavin’s side like a goddamned girlfriend while we wait at the counter for the bartender to see us. Sam eventually takes our order—yes, he still works here—and he won’t even look in my direction as Gavin tells him what I want: a rum and Coke. It shouldn’t make me feel good that he remembers what I like to drink, but it does. Once Sam takes off to make our drinks, Gavin’s shoulders seem to relax, and he turns to face me.

“Can’t believe he still bartends here,” I marvel.

“Oh, I can. What the hell else is that guy going to do for a living? He loves it here. It’s like he’s going to one big party for work, every night.”

Valid observation. “Do you still hate him?”

Gavin glances over at me, frowning. “When did I ever say I hate Sam?”

“You were pretty pissed at him two years ago when he tried to hit on me that one night,” I remind him.

He says nothing at first. Just looks at me for a moment, and I realize this is the first time I’ve ever referenced that night between us. The best night of my life.

Sometimes I wonder. Was it so good between us because it lasted for such a short amount of time? If we’d turned into something real, would he have ended up disappointing me? Would we hate each other and never speak again? The possibility is there, and I doubt if I’ll ever figure it out either.

“There was no trying. The asshole was legitimately hitting on you,” Gavin bites out, his narrowed gaze going to Sam. “I guess I do still hate him.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet. And in my defense too.” I pat Gavin’s massive biceps, wishing I could press and squeeze into the hard muscle. It’s like the man is made out of stone.

“You were so young.” There’s regret in his voice. In his eyes. “And you still ended up letting an asshole take advantage of you.”

We stare at each other, unspoken words passing between us, and realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

He’s referring to himself. And that night. While I made a tentative attempt at referencing the past, Gavin just plunged right in and went for it.

Typical.

“There was no taking advantage of anyone that night.” My voice is low, and I don’t know how he hears me, but he does. I can tell by the dip of his head. He’s trying to get closer to me. “I was a willing participant.”

He jerks away from me as if I burned him, and he’s blinking profusely.

Uh-oh. I think I just shocked him. The unflappable Gavin Maddox is flustered. His face is turning red, and there is panic flaring in his eyes.

“You’ve gotta be kid—”

“Here ya go.” Sam slams our drinks onto the counter in front of us, his voice curt. “You want me to start you a tab?”

“Uh, sure.” Gavin doesn’t even look in his direction when he answers him.

I grab my drink and take a sip, my lips tight around the skinny straw while Gavin stares at me, baffled. Taking a swallow, I tell him, “You should grab your drink.”

He does what I suggest and starts walking, as do I. We head back toward the table the guys are sitting at, but Gavin keeps going until he’s at a table for two, then settles into a chair, his expression expectant as he watches me. I pass the table, ignoring the strange looks from my brother and the rest of the guys, sit down across from Gavin, and take another needed sip from my drink. There’s a lot of alcohol in this glass, and I bless Sam for the heavy pour.

We sit in silence for a few seconds, the tension building between us until it appears Gavin can’t take it any longer.

“What you just said earlier ... did you mean it?” He’s frowning. There’s a crease between his eyebrows like he’s thinking way too hard, and I wish I could reach out and brush my finger over that wrinkle to ease it. This man.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it” is my reply.

He averts his head, staring out at the crowded room. There are people streaming in, the front door seeming to stay permanently open as they enter, and I’m glad we snagged this table. I’m also excited that he wants to talk about this, though I tell myself not to get my hopes up. I’ve been down this road before, and Gavin is a tease.

“I’ve been beating myself up over that night for years,” he finally murmurs, the agony in his voice obvious. “I felt like a shithead for doing what I did.”

“Do you remember what you did?”

He whips his head to face me so fast, I’m surprised he didn’t hurt himself. “Of course I do.”

“Okay. Do you remember what I did?”

The frown deepens. “What do you mean?”

“You say you’ve been beating yourself up over that night, but that makes me think you don’t recall how I reacted.” I lean over the table, trying to get as close to him as I can. His scent wafts toward me, that mouthwateringly delicious cologne he wears doing things to me. Like making my pussy throb. “I liked it.”

“You did no—”

“I loved it,” I say, interrupting him. “I wanted more. Until stupid Destiny showed up and ruined everything.”

Gavin slowly shakes his head. “I can’t believe you still live with her.”

Now I’m frowning. Is that really what he has to say about all this? The fact that Destiny is still my roommate? Such an odd response, but then again, Gavin has never done or said what I expected, so this is on track for his behavior.

Ignoring what he said, I forge on. “We had something going on between us that night.”

He remains quiet, just watching me.

“You couldn’t feel the vibe between us? I mean, it was a couple of years ago, but I haven’t forgotten.” I finish off my drink just as he grabs his glass and drains it, smacking his lips when he’s done.

A server who’s wandering around the bar chooses that moment to appear at our table, her attention only for Gavin. “You want another drink, Gav?”

I roll my eyes at her familiar tone and the obnoxious way she says Gav . Doesn’t help that she’s staring at him like he’s a tasty little snack and she’s starving. She even licks her lips—ew.

He doesn’t notice, though. Just rattles off what he wants before settling that heavy gaze on me. “You want another one, Freckles?”

My heart flutters at the nickname, and when I check on the server, she appears annoyed by it, which gives me a little thrill. “Another rum and Coke, please.”

“Coming right up.” She’s gone in an instant, and I rattle my glass, shaking the ice. Wishing it wasn’t devoid of liquor.

“You’re freaking me out, Sienna.”

“I am?” Oh, my tone is nonchalant, and I’m proud of myself. Does it feel like I have the upper hand for once in my life when it comes to Gavin? Yes, yes it does.

“Like I said, I thought I took things too far.” He clears his throat. Shakes his head. Readjusts himself in his seat like he’s uncomfortable, and it hits me that he is uncomfortable.

Oops.

I decide to be completely honest and reveal my feelings. “We were interrupted, Gavin. I didn’t push you away or ask you to stop. I didn’t want it to ever stop. And let’s not forget the kiss we shared at your apartment.”

“Right.” He says the word slowly. “You ended that one first, though.”

“Does it really matter? It happened again. And again—” I lower my voice. “I liked it.”

His gaze drops to my mouth, and I wonder if he’s remembering what it was like. Kissing me. You can’t tell me he didn’t enjoy our last kiss or especially that moment we shared in my dorm room. He had an erection, for the love of God. His hands were all over me, and so was his mouth, his tongue ...

“Here you go!” The server returns to our table in record time, setting our glasses in front of us. I reach for my drink, tempted to chug it, but I restrain myself and use the straw, cursing the fact that it’s so damn skinny. I need more liquor in my system ASAP.

“Thanks,” Gavin mutters, not even bothering to look at her this time around, and she flounces away with an irritated huff, which makes me smile.

Hey, I need to get my thrills where I can.