Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Remington
With a tight grip on Bailey’s hand, I weave us through the crowd of people toward the bar situated on the edge of the room.
I ignore each one of my teammates waving at me, trying to get my attention.
They will no doubt try to embarrass me in front of Bailey, so they can wait.
When we reach the bar, I slap my free hand against the countertop and flash the brightest smile I can muster at the bartender.
“Hello there, kind sir! I need a good beer, like, yesterday.” I quickly turn to Bailey, checking he’s okay with my drink of choice. When he nods, I hold up two fingers and add, “Make it two, thanking you!”
The bartender chuckles and turns to fetch two beers from the fridge. He slides them over the bar top, and I finally let go of Bailey’s hand to pay. After, I pick up the cold bottles and hand one over to him.
“Kind sir?” He snickers under his breath. “Did we teleport to the nineteenth century or something?”
I swallow a swig of beer and grin. “I dunno, but it sounds right for these kinds of places, don’t you think?
Like, they remind me of George Darling from Peter Pan.
It’s all very… pompous.” I bring my beer to my lips and stick my pinky out as I take a small sip.
“Mhm, what a splendid alcoholic beverage. It moistens my palate wonderfully.”
Bailey splutters, and some of his beer dribbles down his chin, but then he starts coughing. He covers his mouth with his hand, and his cheeks turn a deep shade of pink. Worried, I reach around and slap his back.
“Ohmigod! Don’t die on me, Bailey! What will I do if you kick it before warding off the senior citizens of Seattle?”
He chokes out another laugh, which only causes him to cough more.
“This tushy isn’t gonna protect itself!” I shriek.
He waves me off, his face red and eyes glistening with tears. Oh, yikes. I run a panicked hand through my hair and wave down the bartender again.
“Barkeep! A glass of your finest still water. Super cold!”
“Remi,” Bailey says between coughs. His voice has gone all raspy and sexy. When I turn back to face him, he’s wiping his eyes with the heel of his palm, but there’s a wide smile on his face as his shoulders tremble with silent laughter. “You are amazing, you know that?”
I sag as relief washes through me. “You’re not dying on me?”
“No, I’m not dying. I just…” He shakes his head slightly. His eyes shine with such fondness I can feel it like a physical thing in my chest. “I know we barely know each other, but I think you’re fucking incredible, so don’t ever change, okay?”
A lump forms in the back of my throat, but I swallow it down.
I don’t think Bailey truly understands what his words mean to me.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been told I’m too much.
Too loud. Too childish. Too aloof. Too unserious.
That I need to change myself to fit in with other people’s expectations, or what society considers “normal.” That me just trying to find the joyous things in life, no matter how big or small, and having fun while I’m at it, is weird.
So to have someone who has only known me for less than a week look at me with such awe?
And to have them tell me to never change and that I’m incredible just the way I am?
It’s everything.
Feeling all up in my feels, I place my beer down onto the bar top next to the glass of water that’s appeared and wrap my arms around Bailey.
His grunt in my ear only makes me squeeze him tighter, and when he wraps his arms around me, I melt like a marshmallow.
He’s a few inches shorter than me. Smaller in build too.
But our bodies just… fit. My arms wrap perfectly around his body, and he feels good beneath my hands.
My face slots into the crook of his neck, like it’s always meant to be there.
I revel in his palms smoothing up my back, and the sensation makes me never want to let him go.
Sooo, what if I didn’t? Who’s to say that we can’t see each other after tonight?
Maybe we could hang out again, or I could ask him on a date?
I haven’t been on a date in a long time because it’s hard to date during the season, but I’d try for Bailey.
There’s this pull between us, and I want to explore it. Only if he does too.
The goal for tonight was to get out of doing the bachelor auction, but now there’s a new goal.
Show Bailey that I’m fun and irresistible, and then we can have more cute moments like this after tonight. And maybe some sexy fun moments too.
But our current little cute moment ends abruptly, thanks to Smitty.
“Remington McRae! You sneaky bastard! Did you really think you could sneak in here and not introduce us to your beau?”
Reluctantly, I let go of Bailey and aim a glare Smitty’s way. “Maybe I was just avoiding you.”
“You wouldn’t!” He gasps and clutches his chest, but he soon drops the playful act and holds his hand out to Bailey. “Hey, you must be Bailey. I’m Smitty, this one’s teammate and roomie.” He smiles, hooking his thumb toward me.
“And bestie,” I add, because it’s an important fact.
“Nice to meet you,” Bailey says, shaking Smitty’s hand. His posture has turned a little rigid again, but I hope it’s more out of nerves than a dislike for Smitty.
“Remi hasn’t stopped talking about you since you met the other day.”
It’s my turn to gasp now. The traitor! “Smitty! What did we say about not embarrassing me?”
“How is it embarrassing? I thought it was kinda cute.” He turns back to Bailey. “He even named a marshmallow after you, but it didn’t go in his drink.”
“So where did it go?” Bailey asks with a hint of amusement.
“It’s on a plate underneath a glass to ‘preserve it.’” Smitty snickers, using his fingers to air quote.
Bailey laughs, and the stiff line of his shoulders softens as his eyes meet mine.
He has these cute little creases at the corners of his eyes when he smiles.
They’re so subtle, almost like they don’t happen very often, and I want to be able to make him smile all the damn time.
And the sneak peeks of his neck tattoos out of the collar of his shirt and those covering his hands are like naughty treats, tempting me to unwrap him to see what the rest of them look like.
It’s true I haven’t been able to stop talking about him or thinking about him. But how could I not? He’s so fucking gorgeous.
Someone announces it’s time to take our seats as dinner is about to be served.
We talk non-stop throughout dinner, only stopping for the speeches and presentations.
I giggle quietly when the bachelor auction happens, hooting when my teammates come on stage.
I’m so grateful that it isn’t me up there this year.
But when the music starts and the dance floor opens up, I’m up on my feet.
“Dance with me!”
“Uhhh…” He blanches. “I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ll come watch you?”
Grinning, I hold my hand out to him. I’m not gonna force him to do something he’s not comfortable doing because that would be a dick move.
I lead him to the dance floor, finding an empty chair my teammate Mikey has vacated so he can sit and watch.
The band covers a Harry Styles song, and I keep my eyes fixed on Bailey as I lose myself in the beat. I’m rewarded with his shy smile.
Damn, he’s so wonderful.
I’m lost in my head, daydreaming about taking Bailey on dates and what it would be like to kiss him, when a hand lands on my upper arm. I flinch slightly, the touch unexpected, and as I turn, I see Simone standing there. One of the ladies with the wayward hands.
“Ah, Remington, it’s such a shame you weren’t included in the bachelor auction this year.” She gives my bicep a squeeze. “Such a shame.”
“Hm, yeah,” I say awkwardly. “Well, you see, I got a boyfriend, and he wouldn’t be too happy if I auctioned myself off when we get limited time together during the season as it is.” I point to Bailey. “That’s him. He’s so pretty.”
She barely gives Bailey a glance, and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes when she mutters, “Hmph, I see.”
Did this lady really think she had a shot with me? I think she’s older than my grandma.
I take a step back, feeling a little uncomfortable with the deepening crease between her brow, when I end up bumping into someone. I glance over my shoulder, an apology on the tip of my tongue, when I see Bailey standing there.
“I’m all rested now, baby. Shall we dance?” He wraps his arm around my waist tightly, almost possessively.
Is he… is he staking his claim on me?
Why is it so hot?
Simone drops her hand from my arm and sniffs. “Very well. Enjoy your evening, Remington.”
I’m aware of her walking away, but I haven’t taken my eyes off Bailey. He’s watching her with a menacing look in his eyes, and my cock gives an appreciative twitch. Yep, I’m totally hot for this possessive side.
“Baby?” I grin. “You called me baby.”
He tries to scowl, but the corners of his mouth betray him. “I had to act the part, and if we were boyfriends…” He shrugs. “I think I’d call you baby.”
“You look cute when you scowl.” I grin. “Baby.”
“I’m not cute,” he grumbles.
I loop my arms around his shoulders and begin to sway us to the beat. His hands tighten on my hips, the move bringing us closer until our chests are touching.
“You’re so cute. And—” I lower my voice when the deejay switches it up to a slower song. “—very hot.”
He ducks his head slightly, almost embarrassed.
His teeth dig into his bottom lip, and my eyes drop to his mouth.
I want to kiss him. I want to tell him that I feel this bizarre pull between us that’s so strong, I don’t think I can ignore it.
But I also don’t want to break this moment.
Especially when he lifts his head and I lose myself in those hazel eyes for the rest of the night.
The car pulls up outside Bailey’s house, and I ask the driver to wait for me while I walk Bailey to his door.
“Thanks for a fun night. I had a great time,” he says with a soft smile.
“It was so much fun! Thanks for coming with me and being my pretend boyfriend.” I lean in closer and lower my voice, even though there’s nobody around. “We really showed those grandmas, eh?”
I wiggle my brows, and he huffs out a laugh under his breath, ducking his head for a moment before lifting it up again. This time, his eyes are filled with affection, and it’s taking everything in me not to lean in and kiss him.
Instead, I blurt out, “Can I see you again? Like take you on a real date? We could get tacos or those mini pancakes!”
Those creases I love so much appear around his eyes as his mouth tips into a smile. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
I internally fist pump. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I…” He shakes his head, almost like he’s in disbelief with whatever he’s thinking.
“When Lian told me to match with you, I didn’t expect any of this.
I don’t feel this comfortable around people easily, but there’s something about you, Remi…
You make me want to be brave. You make me feel alive, and I’m so damn attracted to you, it kinda scares me. ”
All the worries I was feeling earlier melt away, replaced with a sense of excitement buzzing in my veins.
I’m practically bouncing on my toes when I ask, “Can I kiss you?”
He takes a step closer, curving his hand around my neck. “I think I might die if you don’t,” he whispers.
I suck in a breath. Placing both hands on his hips, I close the distance and press my lips to his. It’s like mini fireworks are set off around us. Tingles rush down my spine to my toes as our tongues brush. I can feel his smile against my lips when I let out a small whimper.
But once again, our moment gets interrupted when a car horn blasts, and I jolt off the ground, startled.
“You better go before he drives off without you,” Bailey says, so quietly I would’ve missed it if my eyes weren’t fixated on him.
“Mhm, okay. I suppose.” I kiss him again quickly, then jog down the few steps. When I reach the car, I turn back to face him where he’s still standing by the door.
“You’re hot!” I shout, not able to help myself. Because he is hot.
He laughs. “You’re hot too!”
I make a heart with my hands before sliding into the back of the car.
And my damn face aches from how hard I’m smiling.