Page 30 of Ruck Me Harder

thirteen

. . .

Viv

The bar is loud, packed with people. I feel vaguely claustrophobic. Cari’s hand in mine, Rachel’s in the other, don’t help matters.

Vanessa leads us into the VIP section at the back of the bar. A cocktail waitress comes over to take drink orders and I order a Coke when all my friends order mixed drinks.

I don’t care if they drink alcohol. I can be around it just fine. I just don’t want to drink it myself.

Hailey went to meet her brother; she didn’t come to the bar with us. Now that I think about it, I don’t think she’s ever come to the bar after a game, and I can’t recall ever seeing MacGregor here, either. She’s twenty-five and he’s twenty-eight, so it’s not a matter of not being allowed in. I think it’s something else.

Cari leans over to me, her arm around my back as she puts her mouth by my ear. “I like your friends,” she says.

Laughing, I grin back at her. “Good. I’m glad.”

Although her initial perkiness rubbed me the wrong way, now that I’ve been around her week in and week out, I know that’s just the way she is. Bubbly and effervescent, she can’t help brightening everything around her. It’s the complete antithesis of what I believe in, but hey, it works for her.

A commotion echoes through the bar as the players descend upon us. Sven Larsson, Jake Lewis, and Jared Aviyente reach our table easily, followed by a tall guy with shaggy, dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. I recognize him immediately.

Alberto Gonzales.

My palms get sweaty and my heart skips a beat.

Why am I nervous? He’s just another dude bro.

Except he’s more than that. He’s Cari’s brother, yes, but he’s also Tony’s brother. It’s important that I get this right.

Al reaches us with a relaxed smile. He stops in front of his sister and pulls her into a hug. “You made it,” he says, his voice deep and hoarse.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Cari says to him. “This is Viv.”

I hurry to my feet, offering my hand for a shake.

Al takes it, tugging me into a hug. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“I’m sorry about… you know.” My face heats.

“Bailing on our date?” Al grins at me, his eyes bright. “Don’t worry about it. Blind dates are tough.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” I offer. “To make up for it?”

“I’ve got it.” He glances at his sister. “You need anything?”

She shakes her head, holding up her full glass. “I’m good.”

Al laughs. I don’t think his smile has dropped since he walked into the bar. He’s like Cari, upbeat and happy.

How did Tony turn out to be so grumpy when both of his siblings are so bubbly and positive? And why is his perpetual grumpiness so much more attractive?

As a cocktail waitress comes over to take his order, Al slides into the seat across from me.

“Tell me about yourself,” he says.

I laugh. “What do you want to know?”

“Still messy?” His eyes crinkle at me.