Page 93 of Scoring the Player
“Hey, man. You made it. Great game today,” he says.
“Thanks.” I order a Jack and Coke from the bartender.
“I’m gonna go dance,” Vi says and kisses Gavin before heading that way.
I get my drink and then lean a hip against the bar.
“Did your parents come down this weekend?” he asks.
“Yeah. Yours?”
“Nah, they couldn’t make it.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Eh, it’s whatever.” His gaze follows mine to where Dahlia is dancing. Dancing with some guy with a death wish. “Should I have warned you?”
“Nah. We’re cool.” I take a long drink of the Jack and Coke.
“Uh-huh.” He watches me carefully. “Violet will kick my ass and then hand me over to Jane and Daisy to finish me off if you make a scene and embarrass her. They’re protective of Dahlia.”
I hate the way he says it like I’m someone they need to protect her from.
“I’m not going to make a scene. Everything is chill,” I promise him.
“Good.” He stands. “Want to let me kick your ass at darts then?”
I scoff. “As if.”
I take one last look at Dahlia and then follow him to the left side of the bar. I try really hard not to stare, but I find myself watching her every chance I get. I can’t even carry on a conversation, and Gavin does kick my ass at darts. Twice.
She looks…well, fuck, she looks happy and carefree, like she’s having a blast with her friends. Our plan worked. She broke out of her shell and is meeting new people. I should be happy about that. I want to be happy about that.
When she goes to sit down at the long table filled with hockey players and their girlfriends, I finally catch her eye. I tip my head in a small greeting. My lips curve into a smile now that I have her attention on me.
She pushes a lock of hair behind one ear and lifts her other hand in a wave. Damn, she’s beautiful. My stomach dips and my pulse spikes. Then her gaze drops, and she takes a seat with her back to me.
“That’s it?” I mutter under my breath. I keep staring, waiting for her to look back up.
“Hey, can we get in on the next game?” Jordan asks, coming to stand in front of me with one of his teammates.
I nudge his shoulder to move him over an inch so I can see her again.
“Okay, then.” Jordan steps out of my way. “What’s up with him?”
“He’s chill,” Gavin says and then laughs.
“Clearly,” Jordan says dryly. He swivels to track my line of sight. “I hate to say I told you so…”
I cut him a glare, and he holds up his hands defensively, then chuckles.
When I glance back at her, Dahlia stands from the table and heads toward the bar on the other side with Jane. “Be right back.”
“Don’t make a scene,” Gavin yells behind me.
I flip him off over my head and go after her.
By the time I get there, some of the hockey guys have joined them. I approach Dahlia on the side. My fingers wrap around her arm in a soft caress. My thumb glides over her skin as she turns to face me.
