Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
LUKE
A s soon as the rest of the guys turned to look at her, I was relieved.
I was worried they’d catch me drooling at the sight of Deidre.
If I hadn’t seen a few photos of her from Mike’s graduation five or six years ago, I would not have recognized her.
She’s not a tomboy anymore, nor a little girl.
She’s only three years younger than the rest of us, but she looks like a woman who could have any man she wants.
To make sure no one would catch me staring, I shifted on my feet to hide my hard-on.
Dei greeted her brother first and then Will right as he showed up from using the restroom.
She stayed close to them as she smiled and nodded to the rest of us.
Dei said each of our names when she made eye contact, and I could tell that, other than Mike, Will, and me, the rest of our friends didn’t recognize her.
Their gazes changed as soon as they realized who she was.
Dei is different. Yet at the same time, she’s still the cunning little thing she was when we were growing up. I’m not surprised that she ditched the girls at the bachelorette party. What I can’t believe is that it’s been eleven years since I’ve last seen her in person.
My dick throbbed every time she looked at me. I could barely talk to her when she first got to the bar, especially when she decided to stand between Mike and me. My ego had a great boost when she blatantly checked out my ass.
She cracked me up when she called the rest of the guys fairies.
They’re pussies when it comes to life in general and especially when it comes to women—they’re all talk.
Other than Mike, Will, and me, we’re the only ones from our group who actually have game with the ladies.
I’ve backed off a bit the past year or two.
I can easily take home any woman I want when I need to take the edge off, but one-night stands aren’t as fun as they used to be.
Plus, when a woman sees where I live, she’s usually into dating me for my money.
Dei commands the group and the room, which is surprising.
She wasn’t this confident in the past. I’m not sure if she realizes the effect she has on everyone in the bar.
She dances a little and gets some women to come over, which gets the rest of the guys to loosen up.
Mike moves closer to her at some point. They end up talking and laughing for a bit.
It takes a while for me to find my window to talk to her, hoping to get her attention.
Leaning into her, I ask, “Where do you live now?”
A wicked smile sparks on her face.
I can’t help but stare at her lips. “Why?”
“We’re friends.”
“You and Mike are friends.” She downs her shot and chases it with a beer. “I was the annoying sister who tagged along.”
I swear she’s out drinking all of us. I’m not quite sure how she’s still standing. Deidre is short, not that short, but shorter than me, and I know most women can’t handle that much liquor—not when you’re mixing hard liquor and beer.
“You weren’t annoying.”
Dei regards me. “I live in Hollywood. Have you been?”
“I’ve been to the area for work. Bounced between LA, Santa Monica, and some parts of Orange County.”
“You’ll have to come visit when you’re down,” she suggests.
I glance around the bar. “So, where’s your boyfriend? Won’t he be mad that you’re drinking this much and out with a bunch of guys?”
Dei snickers a little. “Are you hitting on me?”
“You flirted first.”
“I don’t do boyfriends,” she states calmly, leaning closer to me.
My eyes dart around the bar, hoping that Mike or the rest of the guys don’t see how close we are.
I let out a sigh when they all seemed preoccupied.
Looking back at Dei, my gaze shifts to her lips again.
A sweet smell hits my nose, and I feel like I’m suddenly in a flashback.
It’s her smell. I’d remember it easily since she always hung out with Mike and the gang.
It’s different; good different in the sense that all the blood in my body floods to my dick. Fuck!
“I know you’re not into girls,” I blurt.
Dei’s grin widens. “How do you know that?”
“Your eyes.”
“What about them?” she asks, inching closer.
“It’s the way you look at people…or don’t.”
Dei doesn’t comment and just shifts slightly back on the stool.
“He’s really happy you’re here,” I say.
“Who?”
I signal with my chin. “Mike.”
“Yeah. Well, I don’t think he was too happy to see me walk in here .”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
Dei’s brows lift in reply.
“He just didn’t expect it,” I say. “You’re still you…but it has been a long time since all of us have been around you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re different,” I comment, shrugging it off.
“Different?”
I nod.
“Different how?” she asks.
“Different.”
After about ten minutes of the two of us sitting quietly at the table while everyone else either talks or dances, Deidre turns to me. “So…you aren’t going to ask me to dance?”
“Do you want me to?” I reply, hoping to avoid admitting anything and not wanting to reveal my hard-on.
“Either you want to dance or fuck me,” she blurts.
“What?!”
“You’re the only one who hasn’t talked to another chick in this place,” Dei says. “You’re not gay. So you either have a girlfriend or you’re hoping to get lucky with me.”
“Why does every woman think that any man who is happy to just sit and have a conversation with her wants to get into her pants?”
“Because it’s true,” she replies.
“No,” I half lie.
“It is.”
“Okay, it’s partially true. It only takes place when puberty hits, when we can’t control our raging hormones,” I clarify.
“So, you do want to bang me,” she goads.
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you didn’t deny it either,” she says playfully.
I chuckle and raise my hands in surrender. “I plead the fifth.”
She shoves my shoulder. “Pussy.”
“I am what I eat.”
Dei laughs and somehow ends up even closer, allowing our legs to brush up against each other under the table. “Is that your warm-up?”
“Now, who’s trying to sleep with who?” I muse.
“You wish.”
“Yeah, you do,” I tease.
“In your dreams.”
“Maybe I have,” I state before gulping some beer, nervous from our conversation.
Dei doesn’t comment and looks a little pleased with herself.
“You know we’re paired for the wedding, right?”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
“As groomsman and bridesmaid to walk down the aisle together.”
A frown pulls on her lips as her eyes dart to Mike. “I thought you were best man.”
“Will is.”
Her mouth parts which makes me want to kiss her.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she says dismissively. “I just figured it would be you.”
A huge smile beams across my face and I do my best to hide it.
“What?” she asks.
I shake my head.
She shoves me. “What?”
“You like me,” I tease.
“What?”
“You like me. You didn’t flinch knowing that you’ll be tethered to me for half the day.”
Dei rolls her eyes and takes a sip of her drink. “So, where’s your girlfriend? I bet she’s not liking the bachelor party idea.”
Chuckling, I reply, “I don’t have one.”
“Really?”
“What?”
“I just expected you to have one, is all,” she says.
“Why is that?”
“Aside from being one of the better-looking ones of the group, you’ve always had a natural way with women…of all ages.”
A nervous laugh escapes me. “All ages?”
“All the moms loved you.”
“You’re full of it.”
“They always had nice things to say about you despite the trouble you and Mike got yourselves into,” she explains.
By two in the morning, the guys call it quits for the night. Aside from being pussies like Dei called them, it’s closing time for the bar. Deidre tried talking them into going to a strip club, which we originally had planned, but none of us felt comfortable going if she stayed.
“Do you need a ride, Dei?” Mike asks after she bids goodnight to each of the guys just before they pile into the limo with a few of the chicks they met.
“Nah,” she says. “I’ll just call my ride.”
“I’m not leaving you here all alone,” Mike scolds. “Get in the limo.”
“I’m not a child anymore. Besides?—”
“I’m older,” Mike interrupts. “Just listen for once.”
Dei crosses her arms. “No.”
“Get in the fucking limo,” Mike directs, holding the door for her.
“Chivalry plus a potty mouth,” Dei teases. “Do you kiss your fiancé with that mouth?”
Mike pushes her in next to me. “Yes.”
Dei’s hand lands on my thigh to aid her in getting seated in the cramped space. My body tenses instantly because her hand is close to my groin. The whiff of her paired with our bodies touching is more than distracting, bringing me close to coming in my pants.
“Watch it,” Dei states as Mike settles in next to her. “I’m a lady.”
Mike scoffs, “Since when?”
“Since always,” Dei returns. “Have you not noticed that I have tits?”
She gestures to her chest and everyone looks, including me.
“Dei!” Mike scolds.
She laughs. “Geez…Mr. Tight-ass over here. No wonder Claire was talking to me about the sex.”
“Please, for the love of God.” Mike pinches the ridge of his nose.
I do my best to refrain from laughing. Their banter and antics are just like they used to be — a little more vulgar, but it’s like she’s never left. I can’t believe how she’s changed so much, but she’s still the same Deidre I remember.
The limo drops us off in front of Mike’s place where we met up earlier.
Everyone says goodnight and heads home while Mike tries to get Dei to get in his car so he can take her back to the hotel.
They argue. She insists that he gives her the keys.
I offer to take her, stating that neither of them should be driving.
Mike agrees, but Dei objects. It takes a few minutes of them arguing before she caves.
Right as I get the door open for her, Deidre teases Mike, telling him to do some reading before Claire gets home so he’s good and ready to perform—whatever that means.
I pull out onto the road. “Where are we headed?”
“Just drop me off at the closest bar,” Dei directs.
“Why?”
“Because I’ll have my driver come and get me,” she states.
“Dei, don’t be ridiculous.”
I stop the car at the corner where we have a mini stare down.
“I swear, I have a driver.”
“Yeah,” I snort. “Me.”
“I don’t want anyone to know where I’m staying.”
“Dei,” I challenge. “It’s me.”
“So?”
I lift a brow in protest, knowing it’s just a matter of time before she caves.
“Fine,” she huffs after a few seconds. “But if you tell anyone where I’m staying, you’re dead.”
“Why would I tell anyone?”
Deidre raises a brow.
“Point taken,” I reply. “I swear, I won’t say anything.”
When we arrive at our destination, I’m surprised to see that she’s staying at one of the more upscale hotels in town. Deidre tries to hurry out of the car, but I get hold of her hand.
“What?” she blurts. “Are you hoping for a good night kiss?”
“No,” I deny with a laugh.
A kiss, a hug, or just the rest of the night talking to her would be great. The fact that she’s letting me continue to touch her at the moment is making it really hard for me to remember what I was going to say.
“Then…?”
“I’m seeing you to your room.”
“What? Why?” she whines.
“You’ve been drinking, Dei."
“I’m fine,” she claims.
“Either I come up with you, or you’re coming to my place.”
“I knew you wanted to sleep with me.” She giggles and shakes her head, drawing my attention to her lips when she bites the bottom one. “I hate to inform you, but this is not a good way to impress a lady.”
“Which is it, Dei?”
“Fine,” she replies. “But my roommate might be up there, so don’t think you’re getting lucky or anything.”
“I was saving that hope for tomorrow,” I tease.
She giggles, “I bet you were.”
We’re quiet while the elevator makes its slow climb.
I’m shocked to see we’re only a few floors from the top.
She must have paid extra for this room because there aren’t that many.
Mike said Dei has her own business, but he was vague about it anytime she came up in conversation.
I’ll have to ask when we have time to kill tomorrow during the rehearsal.
“This is me,” she announces when we reach her door.
I lean against the wall. “Good.”
She takes out her room key. “Are you expecting me to let you in?”
“No."
“I’m at the door. I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that I’ll be okay from here on out,” she states.
“I bet. Just make sure you get plenty of water and sleep.”
“Okay, Dad,” she says mockingly.
“I saw how much you drank tonight, Dei.”
“So?”
“So, just be careful,” I request.
It’s odd to me that she hasn’t staggered once or slurred her speech.
“Goodnight, Luke.”
A smile pops on my face at a memory of when we were kids. “Goodnight, Deidre.”