Page 25 of Dibs
Seconds later the band started to play and my gaze immediately went to Gage. His hands expertly ran over the strings of his guitar and I was captivated watching him work the instrument as though it was a part of him. My eyes moved to his tanned forearms that were tatted, and even though I knew he was in good shape, I was enthralled once again by how muscular his arms were. The last and only time I had his hands on me, they weren’t as strong.Hewasn’t as strong, but as I watched, I couldn’t help but wonder what his calloused fingers would feel like working my shaft as he had that night.
Or what his mouth would feel like again wrapped around my dick as I came down his throat.
“Another?” the bartender asked, pulling me from my thoughts. Why the hell was I thinking about Gage’s hands and mouth being on me again? Did I want that? I hadn’t been with another guy since—hadn’t even thought about being with another man—but now I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to myself that I was enjoying the fantasy.
I blinked and looked over at him. “I’ll wait a bit. Thanks.”
I needed something stronger than beer to wash away the memories racing through my mind, but since I was driving, I knew that wasn’t an option.
* * *
I stayeduntil the show was over, wanting to tell Gage how amazing he played. Once he was all packed up, he made his way to where I was sitting at the bar.
“You’re still here,” he said as he leaned against the wood top between me and another guy.
“I wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.” The words fell from my lips before I realized what I was saying.
“I’m glad you stayed,” he said while flagging down the bartender. Maybe he hadn’t thought my words were a jab about how he’d left school after his knee injury without a word even though they could be taken that way.
I cleared my throat. “I had no idea you could play the guitar like that.”
“After I hurt my knee and went back home, I needed something to occupy my time. Picked up the guitar and have been playing ever since.”
“That’s …” My words trailed off as I saw a familiar face walk in the door. “Shit, man. Miguel Santiago just walked in, and is that your ex?”
8
GAGE
My head whippedaround to where Chase’s gaze was focused. Sure enough, my ex and her current boyfriend were walking in with a group of people. “Yeah, that’s her, all right.”
“She looks familiar.”
“That’s because you met Lisa before.”
“I … Wait, your ex is the girlfriend you had in college?”
Nodding, I responded, “One and the same.”
The bartender came over, and I ordered a Sam Adams.
“Wow. I had no idea you married her.”
“Unfortunately.”
The bartender placed my beer in front of me.
“When you said your ex bailed, I figured she had to go out of town or something. Not go out with friends.”
“I had no idea either.” I shrugged and took a drink. What else could I say? It wasn’t unusual for Lisa to cancel plans at the last minute and disappoint our kids. Unfortunately, not everyone could be as lucky as Chase to have an ex who actually gave a damn and wanted to co-parent.
“How did the two of them even meet? As far as I know, Santiago splits his time between Denver and Phoenix.”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “She works at a hotel near the Padres stadium where a lot of the visiting teams stay when they’re in town. She probably met him during one of your road trips last season.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lisa and Miguel approach the bar, and her eyes widened when she spotted me.
“This should be fun,” I muttered under my breath.
