Chapter 27 -Tate
“Dude, calm down. Your eye lasers are gonna burn through the back of his head any second now.” Roman says before he pulls Emalyn’s chair closer to himself and stretches an arm along the back of her chair. She feeds him a loaded nacho.
Not that I'm watching their little dance. I just have a perfect view of Allison at the bar behind their heads. I’m not possessive…but I hate the hand Andrew lays on her shoulder. When she grins back at him and they hug, I hear the disapproving grumble that rises in my chest.
“Ah, shit. Is he about to turn into the terminator?” Ryan quips. I roll my eyes but ignore him. I vaguely hear the teasing, but I only have eyes for the little blonde making her way to me from the bar, a sun melting smile on her face. Andrew gives a general wave to the players as he exits.
I stand as she makes it to the table. She bounces on her toes as she glances over her shoulder.
“Well? What’d he say?” Emalyn presses. Allison’s face is flushed as she squeals and throws her arms up. “I’m getting the promotion!”
Everyone at the table cheers and whoops. I wrap an arm around her waist and spin her around.
“Hell yea, baby!”
Her head tilts back on a carefree laugh. My arm wraps around her and crushes her to my side as we sit and fall into our seats.
When we look away from each other, it hits me.
Andrew didn’t pull her aside, he didn’t wait.
He did it right here in front of everybody. I clear my throat and sit up straighter, suddenly aware of everyone’s eyes in the room.
Ronan just grins and gives me a thumbs up.
Alli picks up her drink and takes a sip. She’s still sitting close enough that our arms stay pressed together. Her warmth on my side is all I can focus on as they lobby questions at her.
“So instead of June he’s going to be retiring in March! Two months!” Her eyes are wide and shining.
It’s not long before celebratory drinks are flowing and soon turn into celebratory shots.
We all got carried away. Even Jordan, the captain, is plastered.
I’m not sure who suggested karaoke or how we got that rolling in the hotel bar, but Jordan and Ryan have sung Mr Boomtastic twice.
Ronan isn’t sticking to a single genre and Lord, he’s terrible.
Thankfully he disappears for some drunken side quest and Jordan goes with him to make sure he doesn’t get lost. He’s just as drunk so if anything, they’ll get lost together.
“Okay, Texas. Your turn.” Allison slurs, slapping a palm on my chest with a grin. “Let’s hear it.”
“No ma’am. I said I can play guitar, not sing.” My voice comes out deeper than usual, showing how gone I am. I’m leaning against the wall for support and Alli is leaning on me to stay upright.
“Ooh. I like that. Gonna make you call me ma’am all the time, cowboy.” Her fingers play with the collar of my shirt. My eyes find her lips, mesmerized by their shape. The perfectly pink cupid's bow that I want to lick.
“Yes ma’am.” My voice is nearly unrecognizable, even to me. Her half-lidded eyes widen slightly, pink lips parting slightly on an exhale.
“Texas! Your turn!” Fitz calls after he finishes up his song.
Reluctantly, I stumble onto the stage. I scan through the song choices, choosing a familiar one.
As the music to Nothing on You by Cody Johnson starts up, my eyes find Alli.
She’s in the front, drink in hand, swaying along with Emalyn.
Everything but those pretty eyes fade away.
As I start to sing the lyrics, it feels like it’s only us in the world.