Page 79 of Playing to Win
“My girl is the jealous type.” He shrugs. “I can’t even be friends with a woman. She gets all freaked out, especially since we’re in a long-distance relationship.”
“I guess I can see that,” I say, thinking of Ruby. As usual.
Is she the jealous type? Would she be pissed if I talked to women all the time? I’m doing it right now and not a single one of them piques my interest. There was a blonde who came to our table earlier. She was cute and friendly and she had a great body. I notice these things, can appreciate these things, but am I interested in her?
No. I’m not. I’m not even with Ruby, yet she’s all I can think about.
Grabbing my beer, I drain the last of the alcohol, setting it down extra hard, frustration rippling through me. Javier and Evan are involved in their own conversation and I scowl at the crowd filling the bar, hating how grumpy I feel.
I think I need to get laid. At the very least, kiss a pretty woman.
But there’s only one woman I want to kiss.
“Maybe I should order another beer,” I announce, knowing without a doubt that it’s a terrible idea.
“I thought you were our DD,” Evan says.
“Oh, I am.” I push my empty beer away from me, tipping it over and causing it to roll across the table. Javier hops up from his chair and grabs it before it falls to the floor, where it most likely would’ve shattered. “Thanks, man.”
“You’re moody lately,” Evan says, nudging me in the ribs. “What’s your problem?”
Women. A woman. A beautiful blonde woman with green eyes and the best smile you’ve ever seen. Who gasps and moans whenever I touch her. Who’s got the prettiest, tastiest pussy out of any of the women at this place. A pussy I haven’t even fully fucked yet, and here I am, thinking about it.
Fantasizing about it.
Wanting it.
Fuck, I want her.
As if I conjured her up in my own mind, she magically appears in this bar. What are the odds? I shake my head and close my eyes for a moment, telling myself I’m just seeing things, but when I open my eyes again, there she still is, standing in front of the entrance, her roommate Natalie right by her side and a few other unfamiliar women standing behind them.
Huh.
I grab the empty beer bottle that Javier deposited in front of me once more and tip it to my lips, disappointed it’s empty. “I definitely need another beer. Think I’ll go get one.”
Before either of them can get a full sentence out, I’m out of my chair and headed toward the crowded bar, my gaze scanning the room since I lost sight of Ruby’s blonde hair. I edge my way through the crowd and lean against the counter, waiting for the bartender to acknowledge me, still on the lookout for my newfound favorite thing.
Favorite person, not thing.
Ruby.
“Yo, Ace Townsend,” the bartender greets me. “How are you, man? Welcome to Dirty Habits.”
“Thank you.” I hold out my hand to the guy who’s about my age, maybe a little older, and he gives me a fist bump. “This place is pretty cool.”
“Yeah? Thanks. My dad owns it.” He props his forearm on the bar, smiling at me. “Played a great game last weekend.”
“Thank you.”
“Worried about this Saturday?” The bartender’s eyebrows shoot up.
We’re playing against one of our biggest rivals, and it’s going to be a tough one. “Can’t get too worked up over it.”
“You’ve got this in the bag.” He pushes away from the counter, pointing his fingers at me. “What can I get you?”
I order another beer, which he insists is on the house, so I take it, gripping the bottle in my hand as I turn to glance around the room, searching for Ruby.
Still can’t find her.
