All the Way (Hot Jocks #2)(18)

Ignoring her tantrum, I simply popped the hood and got to work—well, I got to work in the way most guys do when they don’t have a fucking clue about what’s wrong with a car. I poked around at a few things and surveyed the engine.

A few minutes later, her boss came out in a huff and ripped into her for being late coming back from lunch yet again. Apparently, this kind of thing happened a lot with her car. I tried to keep my gaze down and ignore the tongue-lashing he was giving her.

I didn’t know this girl, and clearly she could fight her own battles. At least, I could tell she wanted to believe she could.

“I’ll get my car fixed on payday, and this won’t happen again,” she promised.

“I’m sorry, Becca. Your work is good when you’re here, but since it’s just you and me in the office, I need someone more reliable.”

Once the pudgy, middle-aged accountant was back inside the building, I lowered the hood and secured the latch, turning toward Becca. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll call a tow truck.”

She released a slow exhale and met my eyes. “Yeah, and go where? I just got fired, in case you didn’t notice.”

“I might have picked up on that.” I smirked at her, trying to offer sympathy, but her tough-girl act was making that tricky. “I thought you might be up for a beer.”

She chewed on her lower lip and gazed down at her phone. “It’s only one in the afternoon.”

I shrugged. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”

It was the first time I ever saw her smile, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. The way her blue eyes lit up and her full lips parted.

“What the hell.” She shrugged, following me to my SUV. “But you’re buying.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“What the hell are you smiling at?” Teddy asks, pulling my attention back to the present.

I shake my head, still smiling. “Nothing.” And then I get to work on the beer in front of me.

“You guys want to get out of here, or what?” Justin asks, adjusting his ball cap.

“I wouldn’t mind a little company tonight,” Teddy says, eyeing a group of girls at the bar who have been giving us the eye since the moment we walked in. “You ever sleep with an older woman before?” he asks, making me realize I must have missed a lot more of their conversation than I realized.

I shake my head. “No, and don’t be crass.”

“What? They’re kind, considerate women. It’s amazing.” He grins at me, watching for my reaction.

Usually, I’m the one telling stupid jokes and making my friends roll their eyes at my dirty humor, but right now, I just want to be alone with my thoughts.

“All right, you two idiots get out of here,” Justin says to Teddy and Asher. “I’ve got your tabs.”

Smiling, Teddy rises, and Asher gives Justin’s back a thump. “Thanks, dude. See you in the morning.”

“Bus leaves at eight for the airport,” Justin reminds them.

Once they’re gone, rather than enjoy the comfortable silence between us, Justin turns toward me. “Care to tell me what’s on your mind?”

I consider dodging his question, telling him I’m still amped up from the game—which wouldn’t exactly be a lie. I’ve had three beers, and so far I haven’t even caught a buzz because of all the excess adrenaline still coursing through my system. But this is Justin, J-Dog, my best friend for the better part of my life. I can’t lie to the dude.

“So, Becca and I . . .”

“Ah, fuck.” He removes his hat and scrubs his hands through his hair. “Tell me you didn’t sleep with her. Fuck, your sister will kill you.” His eyes are almost pained as he looks at me.

I chuckle and lick my lips. “Calm the fuck down, asswipe. I haven’t slept with her.”

“Okay?” he says slowly, more than a little suspicious, and tugs his hat back on. “So, what the fuck are you talking about?”

“I haven’t slept with her, but she wants me to.”

Justin weighs my words, watching me with a guarded expression. He knows her history, all of our friends do. She never hid the awful truth of what happened to her, and while she doesn’t exactly broadcast it for the world to know, she was brave enough to open up a bit to those closest to her, which includes our ragged crew.

“You’re not going to, though, right?” he asks.

I take a long sip of my beer.

“Right?” he says, his tone growing stern.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I can’t say I haven’t thought about it, though.”

“You can fuck anyone you want. Don’t do this. Not with her. She’s a good girl. She needs someone kind and considerate.”

I give him a pointed stare. “Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.” Fucking asshole.

He shrugs. “You know what I mean. She’s looking for someone to fall in love with, someone who can offer her more than just one night of fun.”

I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t sting a little to know that’s how he sees me—as nothing more than one night of fun.

The waitress swings by and collects the empty glasses Teddy and Asher left behind, and we hit the pause button on our conversation until she’s out of earshot once again.