“I will…later. Let some girl tie me up with it.” Pike raised his hand, expecting a high five. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging.”
Anthony rolled his eyes. “Why are we friends with you?”
“No, the question is, why are we friends with this eunuch?” Pike did the robot, ending with his fingers pointing at Nick.
Nick glared at Pike. “I just don’t feel like chasing after women tonight.”
Pike chugged his beer and set the glass down with a smack. “Why not? You’re single as a Pringle and if I know you, you probably haven’t been with anyone but Amber. Am I wrong?”
Pike wasn’t wrong and Nick hated it.
“No. I haven’t been with anyone but Amber.”
“Pringles come packed on top of each other and you should eat them in bunches, so your turn of phrase makes no sense.” Anthony placed his hand on Nick’s shoulder. “You know I don’t often agree with Pike, but despite his idiotic colloquialisms, I think it would be good for you to get back out there. Even if it’s only a conversation.”
Pike ran his fingers through his beard, watching something over Anthony’s shoulder. “It should be more than talking. Our boy needs some action. And not the fake action like with Noel.”
Nick stiffened, Pike’s words triggering irritation. Nothing about the way he’d felt kissing Noel was fake but she’d made it clear for years that even if she met someone she could love, she never wanted to get married or have kids. Nick dreamed of those things. It didn’t make sense to push for a relationship that would end in heartache and potentially lose him one of the few people he truly loved.
He still couldn’t seem to get her out of his head and no random girl in his bed would change that.
Opting for a change of subject, he said, “Before I forget, would you two help me move, not this coming Saturday but the next? I swung by those apartments on Palmer and they had a unit available.”
Anthony cocked a dark brow. “Are those the same apartments Noel lives in?”
“Yeah, why?”
Anthony and Pike shared a heavy glance. “Just curious.”
“What?”
“I’m just wondering if you might be setting yourself up to finally take the plunge,” Anthony said.
“Plunge?”
“With Noel,” Pike interjected. “I figured you were blinded by the fact you’d known her forever, but she is stupid hot, bro. The type of girl that could make even the baddest player settle down.”
Nick narrowed his eyes. He’d always assumed Pike flirted with Noel to mess with her, but perhaps his friend’s feelings ran a bit deeper. He didn’t like the notion.
“It’s an apartment and there aren’t a lot in town. It has nothing to do with Noel. I’ve been living with a bunch of guys for eight years and as much as I love my parents, I can’t wait to have my own place.”
Pike grinned. “So you don’t mind if I keep swinging, then?”
Nick considered punching his friend in the nuts to get his point across, but Anthony saved them both. “And striking out.”
“It’s all part of the game, my man.”
Anthony snickered. “Your game is weak. Back to the subject at hand, moving you next weekend. I’ll help if you’re buying lunch.”
Nick nodded. “Sure. I’ll even throw in breakfast if you’ll be at my parents by eight.”
“Damn, man. Eight o’clock on a Saturday morning?” Pike made a clicking noise. “You better throw in coffee, too.”
“Deal.” Nick caught a glimpse of shimmery blond hair and grimaced. “Shit.”
Anthony followed his gaze. “Uh-oh. Isn’t that Amber?”
“Yes.”
Amber danced at the edge of the club floor with Kelly Davis and Yancy Edwards. She’d been friends with them since high school and they’d never been Nick’s biggest fans. The feeling remained mutual. All three of them wore sequined halters and black pants, looking like a trio of twinkling disco balls.
“Are they all wearing the same shirt?” Anthony asked.
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Pike shook his head. “Girls do that kind of shit all the time. They think it’s cute or something.”
“It’s fucking weird,” Anthony said.
“I agree. I’m going to get us another round.”
“None for me. I’m done.” Nick took a long pull of his beer, finishing it off.