I’d given the outing some more thought, and Jace was right. It was smart for me to get to know everyone in an informal environment, especially since Dad wouldn’t be there.
One of my friends had set up a blind date for me tonight, but honestly... between having to put on a show for a perfect stranger and spending the time with the LA Lords, I preferred the latter.
I’d sent a text last night to my friend to let her know about the change in schedule and had zero regrets.
Brooke: I’ll let this be a surprise.
Jace: Come on, have mercy on me. Give me something to look forward to other than the ass-chewing I’m gonna get from coach today.
Brooke: You’re going to spend time with your teammates. Aren’t you looking forward to that already?
Jace: I already know all of them. You, on the other hand, are a secret waiting to be explored.
I licked my lips, drawing in a shaky breath as I reread the last words, shimmying in my seat. I shot him a noncommittal response. I wasn’t looking to keep him on his toes for any specific reasons, but I did think Jace deserved a little punishment for his constant pushing of boundaries.
Brooke: Nah, you don’t deserve mercy. Wait and see.
The get-together was taking place at a sports bar two blocks away from the club. Only half the management was attending, and I walked there with two of my colleagues, Veronica and Sheila.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for days,” Veronica exclaimed. “Gives me a chance to unwind.”
The two had been with the Lords for three years and were clearly friends. Veronica had been a little frosty with me, but I chalked it up to the fact that I was a new hire.
Veronica and Sheila both launched into a conversation in which they ranked our players by looks. I stayed out of it, even though I was dying to join in the fun, ask them more about themselves. Keeping people at an arm’s length wasn’t really my forte. I had no idea how Daddy managed it.
The pub was full when we arrived. We spotted a few of the players gathered around a pool table and headed that way.
Jace was sporting an ear-to-ear grin when I approached him. “You made it.”
“I did.”
“And you left me to wonder all day. You have a mean streak.”
“Only where you’re concerned.”
“Ouch.”
“Thought you wanted special treatment.”
Jace’s grin became, if possible, even wider. I found myself grinning right back at him. Seriously, this man’s good mood was infectious.
I had hoped that my reaction to him at the gym was simply a product of seeing him in workout gear. With that shirt stretching thin over his six-pack, he’d looked positively delicious. But right now, I reacted to his gaze the same way as that night. Energy zinged through my veins. My breath caught.
“Come on, let’s go get drinks.”
When he kissed my cheek, warmth pooled low in my belly. Oh, God. It was going to be a long night.
I ordered a glass of merlot at the counter, Jace soda.
“No alcohol for you?”
“We have a game in two days. I feel better without alcohol. You want some insider info?” he asked as we waited for our order.
“You’d betray your teammates?”
“Again, assuming the worst of me.”
“My bad. Fire away.” I took a sip of wine as soon as the bartender put the glass in front of me.