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"I knew you were unhinged, buddy, but “sun sizzle” just confirms it."
He let out an exaggerated sigh, pretending to contemplate his statement. "You forgot about your hangover for half a second, didn’t you?"
I mean, maybe I was just drunk, but I was really starting to think that Walker deserved to be in on the bromance Lincoln and I had been in for all these years. I mean, he would be mostly the bro and less of the mance since Lincoln could only have one Ari. But it was worth considering.
I’d circle back to it when I was sober and thinking clearly.
"So, the big game against Dallas is coming up? Any secret tricks up those sleeves of yours?"
I shot him a sly grin, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. "Ah, Walker, my friend, the secret is an ancient and mystical art called teamwork."
Walker's eyes widened dramatically. "Teamwork? You're blowing my mind here, Lancaster. But that's it? No secret rituals…pregame dance-offs with Lincoln?"
I grinned. "Walker, you just want an excuse to hang out with ol’ Golden Boy again, don't you?"
Walker freaking blushed, and I was rethinking letting him into the circle of trust. He was a simp if there ever was one.
“I hate to break it to you, Walker, my man, but Lincoln ismybest friend. You simp for both of us, or you don’t simp at all,” I said, shaking my finger at him.
Walker gaped at me. “I—I do simp. I mean—”
“Ari, quit torturing our goalie,” Tommy yelled from across the room.
I grinned at both of them, feeling remarkably better all of a sudden. Walker was just too easy.
We got back to lifting, and of course, my mind wandered to Blake. She was a song stuck on repeat, one I was never going to get tired of. I slipped out my phone, pulling up my handy dandy tracking app. Good, she was still at her apartment. I could just picture her sprawled on her bed, her hand between her legs—
The gym door swung open, saving me from what was going to be a very embarrassing and untimely woodie, and in walked Soto, a smug grin on his ugly fucker of a face. His arm was thrown around Charlotte, who was definitely high on something judging by the distinct glaze over her eyes, like she'd stumbled into a room she hadn't quite intended to enter. The corners of her mouth were upturned in a dreamy smile, and she was swaying in place.
Soto then tried to choke her with his tongue, pushing it so far down her throat, I was shocked she wasn’t throwing up. He squeezed her ass and gave it a slap, well aware of everyone watching. I exchanged a bemused look with Walker, who simply rolled his eyes.
"I guess the fun’s over now that asshole has arrived," I sighed, and he shook his head in amusement.
Soto released Charlotte, and unfortunately decided to wander our way. He walked with an exaggerated swagger, his chest puffed out like a bantam rooster, his eyesalsoglazed over. Hope this week wasn’t his turn for a random drug test. He’d be screwed.
Actually…what the fuck was I saying? Of course I hoped he got tested this week.
I was never drinking Patron again. I obviously couldn’t think straight on it.
“You disappeared last night…you and Walker find a dark room to play in?”
I looked at him, a bemused smile playing on my lips as I kept in the eye roll that was twitching in my face. "Soto, my man," I greeted him, my tone dripping with a faux-friendly sweetness. "You seem positively brimming with enthusiasm today. But you have some white powder right…" I pointed to his banana sized nose.
Soto's face reddened, and he swiped at his face. "Don't get smart with me, Lancaster," he growled.
I shrugged, feigning innocence. "Who, me? Never." I leaned in a little closer, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "But if you ever need tips on wooing the ladies without making a scene, you know where to find me. It's all about finesse, my friend."
“Fuck you, Lancaster.”
"You know, Soto," I began, my voice dripping with mock concern, "I would. But they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I've yet to meet anyone whose eye is that forgiving to let you in their bed."
Soto's face contorted with rage, and he sputtered for a retort that never came. I resumed lifting weights as Walker chuckled next to me.
I winked at him. “Spot me on this, and we can get out of here. It’s starting to smell.”
Walker nodded and stood over me as I lifted the bar.
Half an hour more and I could see my girl.
