Garrett speaks with everyone the same. A friendly smile, a quick pose for the camera. He doesn’t flirt with the women, but doesn’t ignore them either. I recognize something hot flowing through me and I realize it’s a bit of jealousy. And maybe doubt. Because some of the women that flock to him are really, really gorgeous.
“You’ll get used to it,” Gina says as she leans around Sutton to look at me.
I swing my gaze back to her and have to chuckle. “Is it always like this?”
“Sometimes,” Sutton says. “Particularly in here, because this is a known hangout for the Cold Fury. But there are times Alex and I go out and no one ever says a word.”
“Not enjoying the women that seem to seek them out,” I mutter softly so the guys can’t hear me. Not that they would even be paying attention…what with all the flirty boob being bandied about.
“Yeah…that really takes a bit to get used to,” Gina says with a wise nod. “You just have to trust your guy to do right. There’s some guys on the team that are whores…cheat on their wives when they’re on the road. But others are golden.”
I turn back and take in a cursory glance as Alex, Zack, and Garrett hang out with the fans a few feet from the table we had been seated at. They look to be in their element, and truly this is nothing more to them than part of their job.
Turning back to Gina, I ask, “How long have you and Zack been married?”
“Oh, we’re not married,” she says with a smile. “We’ve been together almost seven years now.”
“And no urge to tie the knot?” I ask teasingly.
“Not really. We’re both happy like this. I mean…it’s tough sometimes that women think he’s available because he doesn’t have a ring on his finger, but Zack sets them straight.”
“I totally understand,” I tell her with commiseration. “My mom and dad didn’t get married. I mean…they did some type of hippie ceremony, but nothing legal.”
Gina laughs and Sutton gives a snort. “Well, I’m happy to be married to Alex, but honestly, I’d be happy just being with him, so I get you, Gina.”
A waitress comes up to take our drink orders. “Do you ladies know what you want to drink? I can come back for their orders,” she says as she nods over to the guys.
“I’ll have a Blue Moon,” Gina says. “And I know what Zack wants. He’ll take a Guinness on draft.”
Sutton says, “I’ll take a glass of your house Riesling, and Alex will have a Sam Adams.”
The waitress turns to look at me. “Um…I’ll just have a Bud Light. I have no clue what Garrett wants.”
“He drinks Sam Adams too,” Sutton supplies to the waitress, who nods and gives us a quick smile before leaving.
“How do I not know what Garrett drinks?” I ask in bemusement. “I think I just failed my first test.”
“Failed your first test in what?” Garrett asks as he sits down in the chair next to me and scoots it a little closer. His arm comes up to casually rest on my shoulders and he leans in to kiss me on my temple. He’s so fucking natural at all of these little things…the touches, the looks. It’s like he was born to be with someone, and I’m just lucky enough that right now, it’s apparently me.
“I didn’t know what you drink,” I say with a sad face and a dramatic whine. “I don’t know anything about you at all.”
Garrett snorts and leans in to give me a not-so-swift kiss. When he pulls away, he says, “That’s not true. You know more about me than most.”
“Like what?” I dare him to prove me not a fool.
“What’s my favorite candy?”
“Snickers.”
“What position do I play?”
I roll my eyes. “Right wing.”
“Favorite food?”
“Steak, medium rare, with grilled veggies.”
“Favorite song?”
“ ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ Beatles.”
I look around the table and no one is paying us any attention. Zack has his arm around Gina, whispering something in her ear, and Alex is showing Sutton something on his iPhone.
Garrett leans in closer to me and places his lips near my ear. The nearness of him causes goose bumps to break out on my arms. “What’s my favorite sexual position?” he whispers subtly.
My entire body quakes from the sexual promise in his voice and his breath along my neck. “That’s one I don’t know,” I murmur back.
“Well, for future tests, my favorite is with my face between your legs.”
I have to clamp said legs together hard to relieve the sudden ache there. Garrett gives me a knowing look and then leans back into his own chair, turning toward Alex. “Hey, dude…what are you and Sutton doing this weekend?”