Page 128 of Desperate Pucker
She’s quiet for a second while she looks at me. “I’ll think about it.”
I check the time and see that it’s almost time for me to help out at the bar.
“Wanna see my incredible bartending skills?”
Maddy beams. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 45
Ryker
“Could I get a Manhattan, please?”
I look at the sixty-something man standing at the bar who just ordered.
“I don’t actually know how to make that,” I say. “How about a whiskey and Coke instead?”
Maddy giggles while seated at the bar, just a couple of feet away from me. The guy frowns at me.
“Or you can order from that guy. He’s a real bartender.” I nod at the other end of the bar.
“I’ll do that instead,” the guy mumbles.
I turn to Maddy, who’s laughing even harder now. “How am I doing?”
She flashes that stunning smile and raises her half-empty glass of water. “You’re knocking it out of the park.”
A couple more people walk up to me and order wine and beer, which is easy enough.
I’m talking with Maddy when I hear a familiar voice.
“Ryker, my man. You wouldn’t happen to know how to make a decent gin martini, would you?”
I glare at Bobby Baker’s smirking face. I shouldn’t be too surprised to see him here. Even though Casino Night is for fansof the team, sometimes sports reporters will make a donation so they can attend too.
“All I can give you is a glass of gin, straight.”
Bobby chuckles. “Guess that’ll have to do.”
I pour some gin into a glass and slide it over to him.
“Gotta say, I’m surprised that a man your age doesn’t know how to make a gin martini. You’re old enough that you should know,” he says. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s trying to get a rise out of me.
I grit my teeth to keep from telling him to go fuck himself. This is supposed to be a fun night where we connect with fans and raise money for charity. I can’t let myself lose my cool and start a fight with a rude sports reporter.
Bobby raises his glass at me. “Cheers, old man. Thanks a bunch.”
“Do you think you’re funny?”
I look over at Maddy, who’s looking at Bobby like she’s disgusted.
He chuckles. “Sorry, what was that?”
“Do you think you’re funny?” she repeats.
He laughs again. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“When you make jokes about Ryker’s age, do you think you’re funny? Because you’re not. You’re actually pathetic.”
