Page 15 of Game Misconduct

Throwing back the tequila, I shudder as it burns down my throat.

“I’m going to regret this,” I mutter.

“You know, women say that to me a lot,” he says, but beneath his smile, I can see the hurt.

“Your turn.”

He raises his brows. “For?”

“Tell me what’s got you down.”

“Where do I start?” He blows out a heavy sigh. “Seb and Audrey are all happy and whatever, and I’m happy for them, but⁠—”

My jaw drops. “You have feelings for her?”

His eyes widen with panic. “No. No, no, no. Audrey is great. She’ll be my sister one day. But I want what they have. My dad’s been in my ear about keeping my nose to the grindstone and not letting myself get distracted. And I know dating someone would definitely be a distraction. But fuck, Seb had the season of his life after he got with Auds. Joe is a machine out there. Maybe…”

“You want a girlfriend to up your game?” I level him with a flat look.

“Nah. I want a girlfriend so I’m not so fucking lonely.” He looks at me from the corner of his eyes, before he sighs and slumps on his underwater barstool. “There. I said it. I’m fucking lonely. I’m surrounded by the guys all the fucking time, yet I’m still lonely.”

“Oh, Luke.” I reach over and squeeze his arm. “I’ll be your friend.”

“What is this, kindergarten?” His laugh is hollow. Bitter.

“Maybe. But I need a friend, too,” I admit. “I can’t talk to Audrey or Vanessa about it. Elsy? Forget about it.”

“Your brother⁠—”

“He doesn’t have to worry about me if you’re looking out for me,” I tease. “And he’ll probably threaten you a bit, but as long as you don’t hit on me in his presence…”

“So I can hit on you?” He grins.

“Just don’t let Wyatt hear you.”

He mulls it over.

A big, warm body settles on the barstool beside me, and I turn to see Nick staring straight ahead, pointedly not looking at me.

Fuck, he’s even more gorgeous shirtless. His tan, broad shoulders are strong, his torso toned, and I catch the slightest glimpse of the tattoo on his forearm. A backward Boston Bulldogs hat covers his head, and why the fuck is that so hot?

A throb of want pulses through me, and I lift my drink to my lips, chugging.

“You’ve got a deal, babe,” Luke says, and I force my attention to him. He smirks, the humor in his eyes clueing me in to his joke. “Anytime you want me, I’m yours.”

I feel more than see Nick whipping his head toward us.

Luke is waiting for me to answer, and I swallow my fears and square my shoulders, pushing up my chest. Nick’s gaze burns into my bikini-covered breasts, and I force myself to ignore it. Let the asshole think whatever he wants. I don’t want to sleep with him again, but if another guy is interested…

Not that anything will ever happen between me and Luke. But Nick doesn’t need to know that. He doesn’t get another chance with me. Not after last night. Not after the way we left things.

So I turn to my partner in crime. “How about now?”

Luke drains his beer, then offers his hand. “Your place or mine?”