Page 65 of Hidden Plays
“JJ, over here.” From one side of a long bar, Holden waved to me, wearing a black shirt and jeans, his blond hair falling in waves around his face.
I up-nodded at him and smiled. He always looked so fucking good. “Hey.” I stepped over to him and hitched onto a tall barstool.
Leaning in, he placed his hand on the small of my back and kissed my cheek. “Hi, gorgeous.” He slid a menu my way.
He kissed me in public? In a place like this? My heart pattered against my ribcage. “That’s quite a greeting.”
“Yeah, well, I told the bartender my boyfriend was meeting me, and she asked me if I knew the queer band that played in here sometimes.” He narrowed his eyes. “You ever heard of aband called Knot Me?” He sipped his beer, fixating on me. “I guess they do pop-punk covers.”
I thought back. Why did they sound familiar? Oh, shit, I’d heard about them from Myles. “Yeah, Myles knows them. I think they played at the gay bar a few years ago, and it was quite a show.” I scanned my menu, full of typical bar food. “I was a sophomore and underage.”
“Not that you frequented the gay bar, right?” He snickered and shifted his barstool closer to mine. “Anyway, the bartender said they’re queer-friendly here. Her daughter is gay. Started out as bi, but decided men were not for her anymore.” He pointed at the wall. “See the flag?”
I glanced across the bar at the wall. A smaller Gay Pride flag hung between two neon beer logos. “Oh, cool. I had no idea.” I narrowed my eyes at Holden. How much had he drunk while he waited for his asshole brother? He was quite chatty.
He touched his head to mine. “Maybe I’ll do the same thing and be done with women.”
My gaze swung to his, and my lips quirked. “If you’re with me, you’re damn right you’re done with women.” He hadn’t thought through what he’d just said.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He tapped his finger against his glass. “I’ve only had two, but I haven’t eaten since lunch.”
“Okay, we'd better order then.” Had he been nervous about meeting his brother? With a chuckle, I set my menu down. Where was the bartender?
A woman with a gray ponytail and wearing a black shirt with the bar logo strung across her ample chest strolled from behind a set of swinging doors and rounded the end of the bar. With a grin sweeping her mouth, she stepped to us. “Oh, is this the boyfriend?”
“Yes, this is JJ. He’s a star wide receiver for ASU’s football team.” Holden patted my shoulder. “JJ, this is Margaret.”
“Pleased to meet you.” She held her hand across the bar, and I shook it.
“Nice to meet you as well.” Dang, Holden had probably been talking this poor woman’s ear off. I placed my hand on the edge of the bar. “I’ll have a beer and the Tap Room burger.”
“I’ll have the same.” Holden held up his almost empty beer. “And one more of these.”
“Coming right up.” Margaret walked to her POS machine and tapped on the screen.
“So, what do you think happened to your brother?” I turned to face him. I couldn’t imagine my sister pulling a stunt like this, but then she wasn’t an alcoholic.
“No idea. Maybe he’s passed out somewhere.” With a frown, he shook his head and drank the rest of his beer. “Or maybe he forgot.” He rolled his eyes. “That’s the excuse he always gives.”
“How the fuck do you forget plans you made in the morning to meet someone in the afternoon?” They’d just been texting at practice. I watched Margaret set my beer in front of me. “Thanks.” I sipped the beer. Damn, it was good, but I could only have one since tomorrow was a big game.
“I don’t know. Like I said, it’s his go-to excuse.” He hung his head. “It really sucks. I keep hoping someday he’ll come around and get better, but it never happens.”
I hooked my arm over his shoulders. “I’m sorry, babe. You don’t deserve this.” I kissed the side of his head.
“What the hell is happening here?” A male voice bellowed from behind us.
I swiveled on my stool, jumping out of my skin.
FOURTEEN
HOLDEN
With a start, I cringed. Fucking hell, Noel showed up. I peeked behind me at my brother, same wavy blond hair as me, but cut short, and brown eyes not quite focused and bloodshot. How high was he? Paint stained his ragged t-shirt. Had he come straight from a job?
Noel clomped a callused hand on each of our shoulders and eyed JJ. “Who are you and why were you getting so cozy with my brother?”
“I’m uh…” JJ gaped and cut his gaze to me.
