Page 46 of One Shot

“Do you want to talk about it?” she eagerly invites, her hazel eyes losing the yearning that filled them moments ago.

“You were just hitting on me, and now you’re okay with me talking about another girl?” I narrow my eyes suspiciously.

“I get it.” She sighs. “I’ve been there. Plus, I need to move on from someone myself. I was hoping you could distract me.” She looks at me like she could peel off my clothes with her eyes. “Talk to me about it. That’s a distraction too. I’m sure I’ll probably start to spill my guts about my ex and his new girlfriend. So, I’ll listen for you, if you listen for me?”

“Deal. Do you like Bud Light?” I hand her the beer I got for Lauren.

Chapter twenty-three

Laur

Lucas has yet to come over and talk to me. I’m a little surprised if not slightly upset. If I’m his good luck charm, shouldn’t he be interested in talking to me? I have no right to be salty. I’ve made it very clear to anyone and everyone that I am not interested in any type of relationship, but he’s been a great friend.

I spot him at the bar. He is so perfectly brawny but not overly buff. I’m biting my lip thinking about each time I’ve gotten to see his muscles. All the girls in the bar are probably drooling over him. I certainly am. My body eases with a sigh when he orders two Bud Lights. Could one be for me?

Before I find out, Suz is next to him with another blonde girl. The other girl is practically hanging onto him. My jaw tightens as she touches his arm, leaning more into him. She definitely falls into the ‘girls at the bar drooling over him’ category.

“What’s going on?” Tyler asks, nudging me with his shoulder.

I am not very good at hiding my facial expression. I move so I am no longer facing Lucas and his blonde posse.

“Do you know who that girl is with Lucas? Obviously not Suz.”

“Yeah, her name is Shay, and she’s obsessed with Lucas,” Connor chimes in. “I tried to get her number over the summer, and she was very uninterested.”

“Oh.”

I feel like my heart is in my stomach, and I am about to throw it up. This is why I shouldn’t get even a little bit involved with Lucas or anyone for that matter. It’s not going to end well. I swore off love for areason. But I keep finding myself drawn to Lucas and wanting to spend time with him.

“Do you think he’s into her? What else do you know?” I look back and forth between Connor and Tyler with pleading eyes, waiting on an answer.

“Oh no, I’m out of this conversation. Lucas is one of my best friends; I’m not talking about his love life. But for what it’s worth Laur, Lucas is rarely into anyone and never has a love life.”

Connor walks away to find some of the guys. Tyler laughs lightly at me.

“What?” I say to him, grabbing the beer from his hand and taking a big gulp.

Gross, this beer tastes like grass. It’s definitely not a light beer.

“You’re into him, aren’t you? What happened to no guys and your ridiculous vow to swear off dating?” Tyler teases.

“It’s not ridiculous . . . if you knew . . .” I shake my head, not wanting to get into it here. I need to tell him and Bren eventually, but not when I’m insecure over a girl talking to a guy that’s not even mine and not when we are supposed to be celebrating.

“Look, Connor is right. Lucas doesn’t date. I’ve seen the way he is with you, he’s not like that with anyone. He doesn’t take girls home. He doesn’t like fangirls. He’s focused on hockey, this team and his future in the NHL. He’s basically your brother in a different body,” Tyler replies.

“Gross. Don’t say that he’s basically my brother! I kissed him drunkenly and have been insanely flirty with him.” Disgust crosses my face before I take a sip of my drink. “I really do need to focus on my future too. I don’t know what I’m doing or how he got in my head.”

Tyler ignores the kissing Lucas drunk confession, keeping a neutral face. He’s a good friend.

“I know you don’t want to date anyone, but let me set you up with one of my friends. I have someone in mind. He’s pre-med and a great guy. If you’re still thinking about Lucas after, maybe it’s a sign youshould go for it. If you’re interested in Brian, maybe it’s your way of telling yourself you want to start dating again.”

“You’re too wise and too good at giving advice. Why can’t more men be like you?”

“Let’s not tell anyone about how in tune with my emotions I am. Girls will not be into it, and unlike you and Lucas, I love dating. Love it.”

Tyler. draws out the O in love for emphasis and laughs at himself. Damn. I was wrong. He is a player, he just pretty much admitted it

“Speaking of Lucas, he’s headed toward us by the way.”

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