He shifts on his elbow, fully facing me and blocking out the three people across from us. “So, what’s my charm?”
“Your charm?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Well, your humbleness, clearly.”
“Clearly.”
“Your giant dick, obviously.”
“I see we’re done with the sarcasm bit.”
“But other than the obvious stuff, you make me like me, and I haven’t felt that in a long time.”
Zanders’ brows pinch together. “Vee, you can’t be saying stuff like that when I can’t kiss you for it.”
“Well, it’s true. I like who I am with you.”
“For fuck’s sake.” He looks around the crowded bar before his eyes fall back on me, leaning down and whispering, “Later tonight, I’m going to show you just how much the man you’ve made me likes the woman you are.”
“Indy, you’re single now. I’ve been single since…always,” Rio continues to beg, pulling our attention back to the table. “I don’t see the issue.”
“The issue is you need a teacher, which will be some chick’s kink, I’m sure. But it’s not mine.”
“Oh, come on, Indiana,” my brother chimes in. “You can teach him how to belt ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at three AM and keep everyone in an entire apartment building awake.”
Indy’s brown eyes turn dark. “First of all, my name is not Indiana!”
Oh, she’s drunk.
“And excuse me for having feelings, Mr. I-Had-To-Hide-In-My-Room-All-Night-Because-There-Was-A-Hot-Girl-In-My-Apartment-And-I’m-Afraid-Of-Them.”
Ryan’s mouth has fallen open. “Trust me. I am not afraid of girls.”
“I said hot girls.” Indy grabs a clear liquid shot off the table, pounding it back. “Like me.”
My brother’s light brown skin has lost some color, slightly fearful of the woman on another level tonight, but not a single thing Indy said was incorrect.
A bartender shows up with a shot for Zanders, nodding towards a couple of beautiful women perched up at the bar. “From them.”
All five of us look their way, but they keep their eyes locked on my boyfriend, fingers waving.
“Holy shit, man,” Rio admires. “Go over there.”
I uncomfortably adjust, Ryan and Indy’s eyes watching me.
“I’m good.” Zanders brushes off his teammate.
“C’mon, man, let’s go. And take me with you. There are two of them. You can share.”
“Nah, Rio. As I said, I’m good.” Zanders passes the shot off to Indy, who throws it back without hesitation.
“You’re boring this year, EZ. You rarely go out anymore. At least last season, I was able to pull your extras.”
“Pull?”
“Okay, maybe not pull, but at least I was able to occupy them while you were busy with their friends.”
That earns a laugh from the group, including me.
“Not really into it anymore, sorry, Rio.” Zanders’ ring-covered fingers hold his water, as mine do the same, centimeters from his. He slyly reaches out, stroking his index finger over mine and making sure I’m okay.
But honestly, I’m good. Why wouldn’t I be? I got the guy, and all he’s done since we’ve gotten together is remind me that I’m his only choice. So, there’s no jealousy happening on my end. More so arrogance.
Indy is offered a few more drinks when we migrate our way over to the bigger table in the back of the bar, where plenty of both my brother and boyfriend’s teammates sit. At this point, it’s pretty clear Indy is wasted, and I’m happy I stuck with water and can help her home when the time comes.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell us you’re related to Ryan Shay,” Rio drools. “I’m a professional athlete, but Ryan Shay? Even I’m fanboying.”
“Honestly, Rio,” my brother pipes up from the seat next to me. “Stevie is much more interesting than I am. Trust me. You have the cooler one of the two of us on your plane.”
“EZ, you’re up, man!” Thompson calls from a few seats down, motioning towards another table of women. They’re beautiful, with bodies barely covered thanks to the Florida heat.
Their focus is locked on Zanders at the head of the table, something I’ve become accustomed to, but this is the fourth time tonight one of his teammates has tried to test him, and it’s getting kind of old.
“I’m good. Just like I said the last three times,” Zanders reminds them before chugging back his water.