3. It’s Only Indigestion
3
Roxy
Ican’t believe this is happening.
It’s one thing to awkwardly run into a one-night stand by chance in some public space, but to find out the man who rocked your world last night is your best friend’s fiancé’s best friend?
Gah, that’s a mouthful.
Maybe if I’d stuck around this morning, Blake and I would’ve talked and the truth would’ve come to light. That sure as shit would’ve been better than being blindsided like I was earlier, walking out onto that patio and seeing him there.
I look at the three men across the table from me. The same three men I served at the restaurant last night. I feel so stupid now. I should have known they were athletes. Branston is crawling with men like them now that it hosts the Bandits as its hometown football team.
And the condo Miles took me to last night? The Bandits organization built the building to house the players who aren’t interested in buying property in the area. Tessa mentioned that to me once, but I was so punch-drunk with excitement and need last night, I didn’t put two and two together.
And now, here I am, sitting across the table from the hottest lay of my life and wishing it had never happened.
Okay, that’s not exactly true. I’m glad it happened, because fuck. It was amazing. I just wish…Blake had been someone else. Not my best friend’s fiancé’s…you get the point.
When everyone finishes eating, Riggs and Foster clear the plates and load them into the dishwasher while the rest of us finish our drinks. After they finish, all four guys head out back to light the wood firepit Riggs and Tessa built in the backyard.
When the girls just stare at me, I sigh. “Yes, Miles is the man I went home with last night.”
“Duh,” Skye says with a laugh. “You could cut the tension with a knife during dinner. But I can see why you went for him. He’s just your type.”
“My type?” I ask.
“Clean cut, all-American, hot as hell, and sweet enough to lick all over,” Skye clarifies with a grin.
I roll my eyes at her, but she’s not wrong. Miles is exactly my type. Well, except for the seven degrees of Kevin Bacon bullshit. Or is it six degrees? I think it’s six.
“I think you two are cute together. I wholeheartedly approve,” Tessa says, pulling me from my internal debate.
“Uh, no,” I say, shaking my head. “There is nothing to approve of.”
“Why not?” she counters, then picks up her phone and scrolls for a moment before clearing her throat. “And I quote, He made me come so hard, my grandchildren probably felt it. Unquote.”
I groan and drop my forehead to the smooth wood of the table. I did text that to the girls this morning, and it’s as true now as it was then. That’s what makes this so hard.
“I think you should go for it,” Hadley says. “He’s obviously interested.”
I lift my head to look at her. “What do you mean?”
“Seriously?” Skye cuts in. “I was getting hot just watching the way he looked at you during dinner.”
She does this weird meow thing where she rolls her tongue, and the others laugh, nodding their heads in agreement.
“He’s a good guy, Roxy,” Tessa says. “I’ve gotten to know him over the last few months, and I can tell you he’s loyal, kind, and funny as hell. You could do a lot worse than Miles Blake.”
I’m already shaking my head before she finishes. “Don’t you see? If I start something up with him, and it goes bad, it will make nights like this impossible. Plus Riggs will take his best friend’s side, and you’ll take mine, leaving a rift between the two of you.”
“That wouldn’t happen,” Tessa says, but I hold up a palm to stop her.
“You don’t know that, and I couldn’t live with myself if it did. No. Nothing is going to happen with us. It’s not worth it.”
That last sentence sits bitter on my tongue. Because after last night, I’m not so sure it isn’t worth it. I bite the inside of my cheek and shake my head.
No. I can’t, no matter how good he is in bed. Tessa and Riggs are getting married, and the eight of us will be connected for life. I can’t spend the rest of my life being uncomfortable around Miles.
It was just one night, and soon, this awkwardness will fade. We might even become friends, and eventually, we’ll laugh about that time he picked me up and rocked my world.
“Fire’s ready.”
We all look at Riggs, who’s standing outside the patio door. Tessa hops up and darts toward him, hopping up into his arms and urging him to carry her to the bonfire. Hadley, Skye, and I follow behind, and they quickly move way ahead of me due to the slow dragging of my feet.
Like I’m being led to the slaughter.
I really hope I’m right, and this awkwardness does fade quickly.
And despite the firm resolve I showed with the girls, I find myself sneaking peeks at Miles to see if he’s looking at me the way Skye and Hadley seemed to think he was. But my subterfuge backfires when I catch his eyes on me. He smiles, then heads in my direction.
“Hey,” he says, falling in beside me as we both stare at the flames dancing in the light breeze.
“Hey,” I parrot back, silently cursing myself for the way my heart starts to race.
“So…this is a weird coincidence, huh?” he asks, rocking back on his heels as he crosses his arms over his chest.
“Definitely weird,” I mumble under my breath, but his slight chuckle tells me he heard.
“Listen Roxy, I had a really good time with you last night. I like you, and I want to get to know you better. Can I take you out sometime? Like, on a real date?”
My chest hollows out and excitement rips through me, but I quickly tamp the emotion down. I can’t go feeling all the feels when Miles Blake turns on the charm. I made the right decision, and I need to stick to it.
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I have to physically force the words out. I like him, too, and the sex was ahh-mazing. But my fear of future drama stands like a brick wall between me and what I really want.
And I need to stand firm.
“Why not?” Miles asks, turning his head to look at me as I continue to stubbornly stare at the fire.
I take a deep breath and blow it out harshly before turning to face Miles. “You’re Riggs’ best friend. I’m Tessa’s. We’re going to be connected forever now that they’re getting married. Can’t you see how that would be a problem if things were to go sour between us?”
He arches a brow at me. “Are you always such a cynic? Who says things have to go sour?”
“I’m not being negative. I’m being realistic. Is there a chance things would end amicably? Sure. But there’s an equal chance they won’t. And that’s not a chance I’m willing to take. I think we should forget about last night and try to be friends.”
He slaps a hand against his chest as if he’s been struck there, his mouth falling open as he gasps. “Ouch. Was last night so forgettable for you that you can just pretend it never happened?”
One corner of my mouth lifts at his dramatic response. “I didn’t say it would be easy.”
He grins at my admission. “Well, at least I’ll have that to hold onto. Can’t say it’ll keep me warm at night, though.”
We look back at the fire, an easy silence falling between us. Or rather, I’m trying to pretend it’s easy. In reality, my body is firing on all cylinders as flashes of memories from last night parade through my mind.
I grit my teeth as I attempt to clear my head. I should be happy he seems to be agreeing to my determination to keep things friendly and platonic between us from here on out.
I am happy. Truly I am.
This burning in my chest is only indigestion from the steak and salad.
I know I’m making the right decision. And eventually my body will catch up, not even reacting to Miles’ nearness. But unfortunately, it hasn’t gotten the memo yet. Last night’s pleasure is still too fresh.
So, with a nod and mumbled request to excuse me, I wander around the fire to where Skye and Hadley are conversing with Porter, Foster, and Tessa while Riggs stokes the fire.
“Everything okay?” Hadley asks when I step in beside her.
“It will be,” I answer under my breath, then give the others a wide, albeit fake smile.
And it will. I’m certain of it.