Chapter 4 #2
“What are you doing?” Drew smirked at me and slung the strap of his guitar over his shoulder.
“Just getting to know the newest player on the Coyotes’ defense better.” I pulled my guitar off the stand. This was nuts, but he’d said he enjoyed talking to me and he’d agreed to another drink. “I’m meeting him after the gig, too.”
Drew gazed toward Evan’s table and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t get your hopes up. Look.” He ticked his head toward the table.
“What?” As I sat in my chair, I swung my gaze to Evan.
A woman in a form-fitting, sequined black dress sat down next to him, her dark hair pulled into a loose bun. She fluttered her thick, fake lashes at him.
He gave her an appreciative grin, angling toward her in his chair.
“Fuck.” My heart sank. He’d said he was straight. I should have believed him. “Let’s play Sudden next.” That should draw his attention away from her.
I’d spent the rest of the gig focused on the music and not on the obvious flirtations Evan engaged in with the dark-haired woman. The room erupted in applause once the last song concluded. Would Evan ditch the woman or invite her to join us?
I unplugged my guitar and crouched down to set it in the case. If he invited her, I’d make some excuse and leave. I wasn’t in the mood to watch her flirt with him anymore.
“Hey, are you still meeting with the hockey player? That woman he was with doesn’t look like she’s going anywhere.” Drew snapped the latches closed on his guitar case.
“I know. You don’t have to point it out.” As heat flared in my chest, I scoffed and stood with my case. Bracing myself, I scanned the room for Evan.
At the exit, Evan hugged the woman swiftly, then kissed her cheek. As he waved at her, she tilted her head, a broad smile stretching her mouth.
Was he saying goodbye to her? My heart did a little happy dance as a grin spread across my lips. “Look, she’s leaving without him.” I poked Drew in the ribs.
“Yeah, I see that. Guess you’ll get your chance after all.” He snickered and shook his head. “Go get ‘em, cowboy.”
“Damn right.” Holding my head high, I smiled and greeted a few of the attendees, who lavished praise on our performance, while making my way to the door.
Evan stood with his hands clasped at his waist, his gaze settling on me.
As I reached him, I said, “Ready?” I would wait to ask about the woman, and hopefully, I wouldn’t sound like a jealous asshole.
“I am.” He strolled with me to the lobby bar. “Would you prefer to sit at the bar again?” He wet his lips as his gaze trailed over me.
“No, let’s find a secluded spot in the back. Those big lounge chairs look comfortable.” I followed him to a back corner and dropped into a bucket-shaped lounge chair. It was a shame there weren’t booths here where I could cozy up next to him.
“Do you want another bourbon?” He stood next to me, his wallet in his hand.
“Yes, please.” I propped my guitar case on the wall beside me and inspected the bar.
The space had become more crowded, with nearly every stool occupied.
We probably looked like an odd pair—him in his fancy suit and slicked-back hair, and me with my frilly black button-down, black jeans, and enough chain jewelry to open a boutique right here in the bar.
But the contract stated I didn’t have to wear a suit. Fuck that.
He returned with our drinks and set them down on a round table between us. “You played Sudden.” As a smile swept across his lips, he sank into his chair.
“Of course. It’s a fan favorite.” I sipped my drink and unfastened a few buttons on my shirt.
His gaze chased my fingers, and he parted his lips. “You guys sounded great tonight.”
“Thanks. It was a good crowd. People actually watched us.” Except for him, when the woman had distracted him. “Sometimes when we do these events, it feels like we’re playing to people’s backs.” I rested a hand on the arm of the chair.
“That’s got to suck. Who the hell would do that with your band playing?” He drank his beer.
“Oh, wealthy billionaire types. We’ve played some parties in Silicon Valley.” For top dollar, I might add. “The Zuck, you know.” I smirked at him. Remaining in the NHL could allow him to interact with such people, eventually.
“Yeah? Did you meet him?” He raised his brows and shifted toward me, his gaze linking with mine.
“I did. It was brief, and he went on about how much he loved the band.” A sharp snicker escaped me. “But then he was one of the backs we played to.” When could I ask Evan about the woman?
“Oh.” With a slow nod, he lifted the corner of his lips and then raked his gaze over me. “I can’t believe you've never played sports. You work out, don’t you? I mean, your body is so toned.”
He was admiring my body? I dipped my head, a slow grin creeping across my lips. “I don’t need to work out much when we’re on the road. Gigs are a workout. But I hit the hotel gyms for weightlifting occasionally.” I peered at him. “One bedroom in my house has workout shit in it.”
“Yeah? I’d like to see it sometime.” His eyes popped open. “I mean, maybe I could assess your equipment and make sure you have what you need.” He bit his lower lip.
If that wasn’t an invitation, I didn’t know what was. “Really?” I’d lay into this. “I get back pain after extensive tours.” Leaning forward, I rubbed my lower back. I wasn’t lying, but…“Maybe you could instruct me on how to ease it?”
“Sure.” Shifting to the edge of his chair and bending toward me, he said, “Where’s the pain? Here?” He rubbed his fingers across my lower back.
His touch shivered up my spine, and my dick jerked. I needed more of that. I lifted the hem of my shirt, exposing my skin. “No, lower.”
He brushed his fingers into the waistband of my jeans. “Down here?” he rasped and breathed in deeply.
“Yes, down there.” Reaching back, I grabbed his hand and held it on the top of my tailbone. In a rough voice, I said, “That’s it, right there.” I lifted my head as he did the same, and our gazes locked, our breaths mingling. He was so close. If I moved an inch, I’d kiss him.
His eyes darkened, and his breath caught. Fixating on me, he said, “Yeah, I could help you with that.” His gaze dipped to my lips, and he licked his own. “I’d like to, um, help you.”
“Oh, Evan, I thought you were leaving?” The dark-haired woman stood in front of us.
With a start, he straightened and blinked a few times. “I, I am soon.” He gave a stuttered chuckle.
I lifted and threw her a strained glare. Where the hell had she come from?
“Nova, have you met Ronan Vale?” He held his hand out toward me.
“No, I haven’t. Pleased to meet you. Love your music.” She stretched her hand out to me.
“Thank you.” I shook her hand and scoffed internally. Would she ask to sit with us now?
“Nova is a good friend of Zoma’s. She flew in from Colorado to attend the event.” Evan peeked at me. “She’s a figure skater too.”
Fuck me. They had ice sports in common. “Oh, how nice.” I forced a smile.
“Anyway, I’ll leave you two to your…” She faked a cough. “Whatever that was you were doing.” She gave me a wry grin. “Remember what I said, Evan. Fluid.” She gave him a pointed look and then walked off, waving behind her. “See ya.”
I stared at her. “Uh, what did she mean by that?” I swung my gaze to him.
“Nothing.” His cheeks pinked as he tapped his index finger on his beer glass. “She gave me some advice earlier. She’s a pretty cool chick.” He studied me. “She’s, uh, bisexual.”
“Oh, she is?” I arched a brow. There were dots to connect here, but I’d drank too much bourbon to do it. We should resume our prior discussion. “So, about my home gym. What are you doing tomorrow? Could you stop by and look at it?” He’d given me the perfect excuse.
“Sure, I could stop by.” He took a few gulps of his beer. “What time were you thinking?”
With a choked laugh, I said, “Well, I’m a night owl.
How about in the afternoon?” He’d said something about hydration and eating between games.
Unlike Drew and Jax, I knew how to cook.
If I hadn’t taught myself, I’d have starved as a kid.
“How about I cook you a nice, protein-packed dinner for your trouble?” He was an athlete. How could he pass that up?
“Yeah?” A warm smile spread across his mouth. “You cook, huh?”
“I do.” Lifting my chin, I said, “I know. I don’t look like I do. But I can cook almost anything if I have a recipe.” Now I had him. “What would you like?” I drank some bourbon and then swirled the rest in the glass.
“I should probably stick with chicken or fish, and pasta or rice.” He sipped his beer and then smiled. “How about chicken Alfredo pasta?” He gave me a shy grin. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“Sure, I can do that. Let’s count on it then. Come over around three?” Then I’d have time to buy the ingredients and start the meal prep. The maid had cleaned recently, so that wasn’t necessary.
“Okay, three it is.” He tipped his beer back, drinking the rest of it. “I should go. I need to wake up early for a short morning skate.”
“Of course.” I tugged my phone from my jeans pocket. “Give me your number and I’ll text you the address.” This was working out perfectly.
He gave me his number, and I called it. “There, now you have mine.” I added him to my contacts and tapped my address into a text message to him.
With an easy smile, he pulled his phone from his breast pocket and peered at the screen. “Okay, guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I sipped more bourbon and stood. Little remained, but I could finish it while reflecting on what had transpired tonight. “See you tomorrow.” Should I hug him, shake hands, or what?
Pushing his hand at me, he said, “Bye now.”
Fuck, another handshake? “Bye.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward me, then gave him a side hug.
With a dip of his head, he patted my back and left.