Page 26 of Tequila Tuesdays

Ava looked at me with that same old hurt expression. “But Harley wanted to play volleyball, just like her father, as usual. Even though she was one of the best female golfers.”

My back started itching between my shoulder blades. “I like volleyball more than golf.” I turned to Damien and Zeke. “How’s your rec team doing this season?”

“We’ve won both our matches so far. How about you?” Damien glanced at Ava quizzically.

“We have too. But one was by forfeit, so I can’t count it.”

“Was that to the Buddy Boyz?” Zeke asked.

“Yeah. I take it they didn’t have enough females on their team when you played them either?”

Damien leaned back and put his arm across the back of the empty chair next to him. He had nice shoulders and triceps. “They didn’t haveanyshow up that day, but they didn’t give a shit.”

I smirked. “They’re a mellow group.”

Zeke chuckled. “Yeah, a few of them came high. At nine in the morning. We played anyway, and it was still fun.”

“We did too. Their coach asked Frankie and me to join his team next season, and offered us a discount to his cannabis shop and specially designed jerseys.”

Damien tilted his head. “He doesn’t know your team is part of the Addicts to Athletes program, I take it.”

I shook my head and grinned. “He’ll probably feel bad if he finds out.”

“Well, shit. I didn’t know that either.” Zeke leaned back in his chair. He turned to Damien. “That explains a lot.”

Damien nodded. “I told Harley the same thing when I found out.”

Just then, one of the hosts came over to the table. She was pretty and had on a white linen dress with cute tan sandals. Her long brown hair hung in loose curls and her makeup was understated and dewy. She walked over to Damien and Zeke’s side of the table.

“Damien Andreasen, I haven’t seen you since… well, you remember.” She smiled and squeezed his shoulder.

Damien looked at her blankly for a minute, then recognition seemed to dawn.

“Hey…” His eyes flicked down to her name tag. “Samantha. It’s nice to see you.”

Samantha slid over to stand next to Damien and opened her arms for a hug. Damien stood up a little reluctantly and gave her a stiff one. He smiled down at her, and his dimple popped, but I could tell he wasn’t excited to see her. He patted her on the back, then sat.

“You never called me back after Chrissy’s party.”

I leaned back and avidly watched the interaction. Samantha was now running her hand up and down his shoulder and bicep. She had good taste, I’d give her that.

Damien tilted to the side and looked up at her. In the process, he dislodged her hand.

“I know. I’ve been busy with work, but it was nice to see you again.” She stared down at him and lost her big smile. She blinked, and I got the impression she rarely got the brush-off. Samantha swallowed, and her hand hovered over his shoulder as if she didn’t know what to do.

The silence was awkward. I stood up and leaned over the table with my hand outstretched. “Hi, Samantha. I’m Harley. We’re here for our friend Jonathan’s birthday.” I pointed over to where Jonathan sat.

She blinked at me. “Oh, okay.”

“Toward the end of the meal, will you ask the server to come sing a birthday song to him? We’d like to embarrass him a little.”

Samantha stared at me, then slowly reached over, and shook my hand. “Hi, Harley. It’s nice to meet you too.” She sucked in a breath and glanced down at Damien, then back at me.

“Yes, for sure. You guys have a good lunch.” She turned and quickly walked away.

Damien gazed at me, and I gave him a small shrug and sat down.

Grace leaned forward and started talking again. “Anyway, Harley started the Addicts to Athletes’ volleyball team a couple of years ago. I think she needs to start an Addicts to Athletes’ golf team.”

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