Misadventures of a Rookie (Misadventures #11)(10)

It was just a simple movement, his gaze casually meeting mine. My skin was prickling, and it wasn’t from a draft. Gone was the smug look and even the cockiness. All that was left was a dark and smoldering look in his eyes as he held my gaze. His shoulders went back, his tongue coming out to wet his lips, and within seconds I could feel that tongue on mine. It was quick, maybe just half a second, but I would never forget it.

Leaning on his pool stick, he took in a deep breath, filling his wide chest before blowing it out, his gaze never leaving mine. Heat gathered between my legs, and soon I was squirming in my seat, but I wouldn’t look away. I wouldn’t let him win.

But he must have seen my struggle, because within seconds, back came that stupid cocky grin, and then he blew me a kiss.

“Motherfu…” My words trailed off as I looked away, mad that I’d allowed him to hold my gaze for that long. What the hell was wrong with me? Was I really that drunk? I reached for my purse, but Lizzy stopped me.

“No, don’t leave!”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not. I’m going to the bar for a drink.”

“We can order them.”

My gaze went back to where he was watching me, and I shook my head. “I need some space.”

And I wasn’t lying. Plus, I planned to get some water and didn’t want her to see. I did not like the person I was becoming with each swig of my drink. Nope, that girl was dumb, and I refused to not be level-headed right now or lose control. Not with Gus in the room.

Even if I wanted so desperately to do so.

Ugh. Why had I thought that?

Shaking my head in disgust, I left the room and entered the next. It was busy, so it took me a moment to get to the bar. When I reached it, I leaned on it before waving to the bartender. He saw me, flashed me one finger that I assumed meant one second. Letting out a breath, I leaned on my elbows and pulled out my phone. Hitting Facebook, I scrolled through my feed as I waited. When Gus’s earlier words came into my head, I rolled my eyes. He didn’t know anything about me. I shared all kinds of stuff that I believed in—but, oh my God, why did I care?

He was an asshole anyway.

When a picture my mom had posted appeared, I smiled. Davis’s toothless grin took up the whole screen. He was so adorable and getting so big. I hated that I was missing this time with him. But I’d decided that was what I wanted when I left home. Conflicting emotions clogged my throat as I took in his dark-red hair and light-blue eyes. Closing my eyes, I cursed the stupid alcohol I had consumed.

New rule: no more drinking.

Apparently, I turned into a complete sappy idiot.

“Cute kid.”

My eyes shot open at his voice. When I looked over and realized that Gus was way too close for my liking, I tried to step back, but someone was behind me. Since I’m pretty sure the dude behind me didn’t want me on top of him, I was stuck. I didn’t want to lose my place at the bar, so I stayed where I was. Even if I could feel every inch of him. Swallowing hard, I hit the home screen on my phone so the picture would go away.

“Thanks,” I said brusquely.

“Yours?”

My heart stopped, and I slowly shook my head. “No.”

“Brother?”

“Yeah,” I answered, but I wasn’t sure why I was answering him.

“I thought you were too young to have a kid.”

I shrugged.

He laughed. “I’m surprised you’re talking to me.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

He chuckled as he leaned into the bar beside me, holding up a finger. Apparently, Gus had magic fingers, because the bartender appeared right away. “Bus, what’s up? What can I get you?”

“Another beer for me and my friend here.”

I shook my head. “Just a water, please, and my tab.”

The bartender nodded before going to work, and I could feel Gus’s gaze on me before he said, “Done drinking for the night?”

“Yeah, I turn into an idiot when I drink.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I argue with irresponsible and pigheaded people.”

He scoffed. “I’m guessing I’m the irresponsible and pigheaded people you speak of?”

“Yup,” I answered simply. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that stupid grin of his. Looking over at him, I was once again hit with his good looks, and instantly, I was annoyed. Why was he so beautiful? It was honestly unfair, especially considering how talented he was. “The one and only, actually. I should correct that sentence to person.”

“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way.”

I scoffed. “You are not. You couldn’t care less.”

“I do, actually,” he said simply, his eyes burning into mine. “I still feel we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”

“Again, no foot needed,” I said as my water, tab, card, and ID were laid on the counter. “We don’t have anything to say to each other.”

He moved closer to me, but I ignored him as I signed my tab.

“Actually, we have a lot to say— Holy shit, is your name really Bocephus?”

My stomach dropped as I realized he wasn’t getting close enough to me to make me nervous but to see my name! “You sly asshole!” I yelled, tucking my ID and card into my pocket. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”