Chapter 16 – Gavin
16
What Kind of Fast are We Talking?
Gavin
I TRY NOT to react when Alexis jumps up, declaring she has to go to the bathroom and leaving me without so much as a backward glance.
“Are you getting ready for the upcoming season?” The redhead sitting at my side tries to keep the conversation going, but I’m struggling to follow along.
“Yeah.” I straighten in my seat, scanning the bar for any sign of Al’s blonde head, but she’s so fucking short—even in heels—I lose her in the crowd.
“I bet it’s super fun to play rugby for a living.” The glasses one has her chin propped on her hands. “All that physical activity.”
I’ve met Al’s friends before, but always in passing. I’ve never been around them long enough to retain any of their names, and I’m regretting it now. I don’t want them to think I’m a complete ass.
Even though I probably am.
“You do seem to be in really good shape.” The woman directly across from me smiles, a dimple cutting into the curve of her cheek. “That’s probably why you’re so fast.”
My brows lift and I drag my gaze from its search for Alexis. “You watch rugby?”
She shakes her head, the dark curls of her hair swinging with the movement. “No. I’m not really into sports.”
That stumps me a little. “Then how do you know I’m fast?”
She’s still smiling, looking like she’s thoroughly enjoying our conversation. “Because Alexis told us.”
Well, isn’t that interesting. I’m feeling a little cocky over Al telling them about my skill as a player, but then it occurs to me that might not be the sort of speed she’s told these women about. We might actually be discussing the events of her parents’ Christmas party, and my dumb ass is too stupid to know it.
I scan the faces circling the table, looking for any hint they might know what happened in Babs’ she shed—or worse, my shitty comment Christmas morning. Thankfully, none of them looks ready to stab me with the toothpick from their drink’s garnish, so even if they know part of the story, they don’t know all of it.
But while their expressions are friendly, they’re also assessing. I’d initially thought Al’s friends were flirting with me, but now I’m worried this is more of an interview. An analysis to see if I’m good enough for their friend.
And that has me standing just as fast as Alexis did earlier. “I should probably go find the guys I came with.”
I back away from the high-top, needing to get away from their scrutiny before they see the truth. Because I know for a fact I’m not good enough for Alexis. I also know it doesn’t matter. I fucked everything up and I need to let it stay that way. Be grateful I didn’t completely destroy shit and can still hang around, soaking up the kind of family life I never had.
Once the mess Leo made blows over.
“It was nice seeing you guys.” I keep moving. “Enjoy your night.” Turning, I weave through the packed bar, making my way to the table where Leo and the rest of the guys are drinking their second round.
I’d been on my way back from the bathroom when I caught sight of that dick hovering over Alexis. The second I saw the expression on her face, I knew it wasn’t a happy exchange and couldn’t stop myself from stepping in. I didn’t like how he was looking at her. How close he was standing.
What he was trying to accomplish.
It sent me straight to a place I don’t want to go again, making me want to break bones and mark territory like some kind of fucking neanderthal.
That’s why I need to get away from her. Because I make terrible fucking decisions when she’s involved. I fall back into the shit I’ve worked hard to stay out of.
“There you are.” Leo passes me two bottles of beer. “You’re behind.”
I sit in my seat, but don’t reach for the offered drinks. “You guys came to play, didn’t you?”
“We just spent five days sweating our balls off, so yeah. We’re here to get fucked up.” Owen downs what’s left of his second beer before looking right at me. “And you better start drinking, because I’m going to get us another round.”
I look around the table and notice everyone has two empty bottles in front of them except for Leo, who’s drinking a coke. I didn’t have time to think the situation over before, but now it’s starting to register how odd it is that my best friend offered to be the designated driver. It’s not normally his style to readily give up the opportunity to get shit faced. “Why aren’t you drinking?”
Leo shrugs. “No reason.”
“Bullshit.” I start to pick up one of the bottles, but my interest in getting drunk is now slim to none thanks to the dick who fucked with Alexis. “What’s the real reason?”
My friend won’t look at me, making me even more sure something’s up. “I’ve got plans in the morning.”
“You have plans.” I stretch the unbelievable words out, enunciating each one. “In the morning.” I lean closer. “You hate mornings.”
“I don’t hate mornings.” Leo lies to my face. “I just wish they came a little later in the day is all.”
Owen comes back to the table, a tray of beers balanced on one hand. He starts passing them out, adding a third drink to my lineup. “Bottom’s up, assholes.”
There’s no way I want to drink one of these beers, let alone three. Not when Alexis might need me to be clear headed enough to stop that prick from bothering her again.
Pushing my chair back, I get to my feet. “I’ll be back. Gotta pee.”
Leo looks me over, brows pinched. “You just went.”
“Gotta go again.” I walk away without elaborating, leaving my friends staring at me, their mouths hanging open.
I’m usually the guy buying drinks and passing them out. The one ready to get loud and let loose. I like being that guy. Like making new friends I’ll forget before dawn.
But tonight I’m in a shit mood and it only gets worse when I see the fucker from earlier ducking into the back hallway where the bathrooms are located. A quick scan of the room tells me Alexis hasn’t yet returned to her table, and it has my steps coming faster. I don’t make a habit of knocking the shit out of people off the pitch, but if that bastard lays a hand on Alexis, I’ll make an exception.
I round the corner, storming into the isolated hall just as she comes out of the bathroom to find him waiting for her. Her blue eyes widen in surprise and her skin pales. She spins, planning to go right back into the bathroom. Like a dumbass, he grabs her, the tips of his fingers sinking into the bare skin of her arm as he attempts to yank her closer.
Proving what a fearless woman she is, Alexis swings at him. I’m proud—so fucking proud—when her small fist connects with his nose and he stumbles back.
She’s winding up to sock him again when I reach them, grabbing the guy by the pomade infested hair at the top of his head. The product is sticky, but that only helps my grip as I wordlessly drag him down the hall and around the corner. He squeals and squirms, working desperately to keep both feet under him on our way to the back exit.
Rocking back onto one foot, I kick the other against the bar at the center of the metal door, knocking it open. Using my momentum, I propel dickwad out into the dark, sending him sprawling across the pavement. I brace the door with a hand, keeping it open as I turn to where Al is standing behind me, her mouth hanging open. “You wanna hit him again before I close this?”
Her lips clamp closed and she seems to consider it a second before shaking her head. “I think I’m good.”
The prick is groaning and trying to get up as I slam the door and turn to where Alexis watches me with a wary gaze. She lifts her chin. “Thanks.”
I rock my neck from side to side, trying to work out the tension lingering from seeing that fucker put his hands on her. “Are you okay?” I move toward her, gently picking up the arm he grabbed. “Did he hurt you?”
She holds very still as I brush my fingers over the red marks marring her skin. “Not as bad as I hurt him.” There’s pride in her voice, and I smile in spite of the anger still simmering through my veins.
“You got a pretty good shot in, Al. I’m impressed.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm the jealous rage coursing through my veins. My gaze falls to where I cradle her arm, the sight of the angry marks amping me right back up. “I should have come back here with you.”
Al slides free of my grip. “I came back here to get away from you.”
My eyes jump to her face. “To get away from me?”
Her hand rubs over her bicep. Not the area that’s bruising, but the spot where I touched her. “I know you didn’t forget the shit you said to me on Christmas.”
There’s a hint of hurt in her voice and it cuts into me, digging deep enough to let out an admission I’ve been trying to bury forever. “I was jealous.”
Her brows lift, like I’ve surprised her. “Of Dillon?”
I grit my teeth, trying to keep the rest of my shame in, but fail yet again. “Of anyone who’s ever touched you.”
Her eyes widen a little more, then she confesses, “Dillon hasn’t touched me.”
“But he wants to.” I creep closer to the soft curves of her body. A body I had my hands all over not so long ago. “And it makes me lose my goddamned mind when I think about it.”
Her lips part as she stares up at me. “Why?” The question whispers between her plush lips.
“You know why, Al.” I clench my fists. “Because I’m the one who should be touching you.” Shifting on my feet, I let the movement drag my chest across the nipples teasing me through the fabric between us. Leaning down, I brace one hand on the wall as my lips tease against her ear. “Maybe you should let me touch you now.” I breathe deep against her skin as I palm the plush curve of her hip with the hand not sticky from that fucker’s hair gel, nearly groaning as the tips of my fingers dig into the softness there.
She gasps as I find the hem of her shorts and tease the skin beneath it, tracing along the top of her thigh. “Would you let me touch you now?”
I hold my breath, knowing there’s a good chance she might tell me to get fucked. I wouldn’t blame her. I screwed up. Epically.
Her eyes fix on my face, pupils dilated in the dim light of the hall. “Are you going to be an ass again?”
I want to tell her no. I want to believe I can get past the bullshit bestowed on me by years of listening to my old man spew nonsense and vitriol.
More than that, I want to tell her about him. I want her to know why I was really at her house all the time growing up. The reason I spend holidays with her family and not mine.
But not here.
“I can’t make any promises, Al. Some shit runs deep.” It’s the most I can give her right now, but it’s more than I’ve told anyone else. Even her brother.
Al’s head falls back against the wall behind her and she lets out a resigned sigh. “Fine.”
The way she seems almost irritated by my offer to get her off makes me chuckle—lightening the weight of my mood—because it’s so like her. “Don’t sound so excited, Al.” I let my lips drag down the line of her neck, tracing her soft skin with my tongue and teeth as my touch moves higher, finding the dip where her leg meets her body and following it like a path. “I might surprise you.”
“I’ve seen your surprises.” She’s a little breathless now. “I’d rather you not do it again. I don’t want to spend all night trying to clean this outfit.”
The tips of my fingers brush across her mound, teasing the trimmed crop of hair there. “I promise to keep my jizz to myself this time.”
“Such a gentlema—”
The last word cuts off as I press against the seam of her body, delving into the soft, slippery skin it hides. “Fuck, Al.” I slide deeper. “You’re so wet.” I groan as I stroke along her flesh. “Is this all for me?”
“Stop talking.” The retort is sharp.
I hum against her skin, smiling at this new discovery. “Make me.”
Her clit is already hard and swollen and I trace slow circles around it, pinning her body in place with mine when her legs start to wobble. I make a tsk-ing sound as I continue teasing the nub at the apex of her pillowy pussy lips. “You aren’t about to come already, are you?”
Alexis shudders against me with a gasp and a whimper, a fresh gush of wetness coating my hand. I can’t resist letting my fingers slide through it before sinking into the tight heat of her body. “I was just getting warmed up, Al.” I slide in and out of her, wishing I could watch what I’m doing. “You should take me home with you. Let me show you how sorry I am for the way I acted.”
I’m pushing my luck, I know it. But I don’t care. I don’t care about anything but spending more time with Alexis. Even though it’s a terrible fucking idea since the more I’m with her, the more of her I want. But I’m weak when it comes to her. And stupid.
Her eyes are unfocused as she stares up at me, looking flushed and dazed and only half as boneless as I want her to be. She glances toward the noisy bar, making me think she’s going to turn me down and return to her friends.
But then she nods. “Yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”