Page 20 of Totally Played
Levi and Beau sit on either side of Ash, leaving me to sit with Tim and Lion on the other side.
“So this is a plum sauce,” Tim says.
“Yumm, I love plums,” Ash says.
Tony hates plums, I think as Tim goes on to explain the rest of the sauces.
“It’s got a secret ingredient in it, too. See if you can guess it. It’s to go on the ribs, actually all the sauces are for the ribs, the bottle in the middle is the smokey barbeque sauce for the brisket,” Tim explains, pointing to the smooth matt black jug sitting between us.
While the furniture up here is mix and match, the dining setting is the opposite. Every plate is a stretched oval and matt black, and on the left curve of each sit three small matt black bowls, each about the size of a golf ball. Tim spoons some of the plum sauce into one of his tiny bowls, then passes it down.
“This next one is sort of like a cherry marmalade, and then we have a lemongrass honey sauce,” he says, and we each take turns filling our tiny bowls as the scents of the meat swirl around us like a delicious tease to our senses.
By the time the meat is portioned out, my mouth is watering, and I have to check myself for drool.
“You did all this and played a match today?” Ash asks, and Tim nods.
“I had help. The brisket’s been going since six, Beau and Levi kept an eye on it while we were at the game.”
“If it tastes even half as good as it smells, you should totally become a chef when you’re done playing ball,” he says, and a few of them chuckle. “What’s the joke?”
I lay my hand over his forearm, and a weird lump rises in my throat. I reach for the glass of water and take a big gulp.
“They run Roaring Barbeque, the food truck,” I say between swallows.
“The one that’s down on Levinson on Tuesday nights?” he asks. “I eat there all the time. Wow, that’s why Lion looks so familiar.”
“Yeah, Lion’s been amazing taking her out when I have training, and I meet him after,” Tim says.
“I had your gluten-free black hole brisket burger the other week. It was the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” Ash says.
“Thanks,” Tim replies, dipping one of his ribs into the cherry sauce. “All my sauces are gluten-free too.”
“Perfect. I was going to ask”
“We sell almost as much of the gluten-free options we do the regular, so it just made sense to set up a separate serving section in the food truck.”
“On behalf of all celiacs in the local Savannah area, we thank you.”
He chuckles then hold the rib dripping with sauce up.
“Okay, boys, eat up, and try to remember what you like and don’t. This is supposed to be a research dinner, after all.”
“That way, you can claim it all on your taxes, right?” I say, and he taps his nose.
“You know it. Plus, I’ve got a new hookup for pork now that Alan’s brothers are increasing their pig numbers, so it’s time for a menu change.”
“Alan’s on the team, right?” Ash leans in to ask me. I grab one of the ribs from my plate and dip it into the plum sauce.
“Yeah. His brothers run Beaker Brothers Ranch in Bellerelle.”
Ash takes a bite of one of the ribs, and his eyes flutter closed as he moans through chews. “So good.” Then he licks the sauce from his lips, and my gut swirls.
What the fuck was that? I pick up a rib and dip it haphazardly into the lemongrass sauce and take a bite. The tang and tartness coating my tongue, but as delicious as it is, my focus is still on Ash and the sounds he’s making as he devours each rib, sucking on his fingers to lick them clean.
Holy shit. Could I be catching feelings for a guy? Is that what this is? Am I into Ash?
Chapter eight
