"Alright, alright. I won't embarrass you anymore."
"Thank you very much. I can do that all by myself."
I straightened in my chair, just as the waitress appeared with a cheery smile and her tray. I was relieved to move the conversation in a different direction and stop talking about the humiliating gas station incident.
Before I could talk, Allie spoke up. "Okay, everybody. We're gonna play a drinking game."
I raised an eyebrow. This girl didn't waste any time.
"What can I get you?" the waitress chirped.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Allie cut me off. "We're gonna need beers, the bigger the better. The twenty ounce size for this game." She pinned me with her gaze and spoke directly to me when she added, "No wussing out."
Why'd she say that? Was she singling me out? Had AJ's story convinced her I was a loser? I felt stupid, launching into my usual rant about the downfalls of too much beer, but I had to think about my future. I couldn't afford to look sluggish at training camp. I ran the 40-yard-dash at the Scouting Combine with an excellent score, but what would it be with a beer belly? A slow 4.6?
"Oh, I don't know. A drinking game? Can't get a beer belly before Draft pick day." If I did anything to screw up my chance at getting drafted, it'd be over, and my future would be working the grill at Chili's. But before I could finish explaining to my new friends about the importance of staying in tip-top shape for my football career, Allie interrupted. No surprise there.
"Cam … " Her voice was sharp and it caught me by surprise. Like the crack of whip, a naughty whip in my mind, and it sent my blood rushing to my groin.
"I said, no backing out. Only real men with balls can play this game. Now, get with the program." She pierced me with a teasing smile, more alluring than the previous little smirk.
Wow. Fucking amazing.
The magnetism between us was unbelievable, yet we'd just met. I wanted to kiss that smile until she was pressing herself against me, and begging me to take her, but I knew I shouldn't. Despite the warning bells ringing in my head, I ignored them and decided to accept her challenge. Oh, it was so on now. She had no idea who she was messing with.
Come on, sweetheart. You come in here looking all sexy. Well, bring it on. I can play dirty too.
I threw my hands up in surrender and laughed, "Okay, okay, I'll play your silly little drinking game. Ruin my fine athletic body, suffer the sling and arrows of hangover hell, just for you, baby."
The waitress nodded, seeing we were ready for the tools of the game and said, "A serious drinking game needs a lot of beer. How about a couple pitchers for starters?"
"Good idea, Carrie" Allie said. "And keep'em coming."
As I watched the two exchange glances, I had the feeling they knew each other and were in cahoots. This probably wasn't the first time Allie pulled the drinking game stunt with some new guy she just met, similar to a pool game hustle, and I was the little bitch.
Before long, two large pitchers brimming with foam were delivered to the table along with several tall, slender beer glasses. By now, we'd gotten through the small talk, where AJ and I explained that we were headed to Vegas for spring break. The others already heard the part about the flat tire and the gas station, and Matt seemed genuinely interested when we talked football and my plans to go pro.
Allie immediately grabbed one of the pitchers and started filling the empty glasses. As she poured, her dark eyes flicked to mine, and she asked casually, "So Cam, are you leaving in the morning?"
"Yeah, first thing. We got a room for the night. It's practically right next door at that little motel." I motioned with my hand. "The one that kinda looks like the Bates Motel."
She returned the pitcher to the table without cracking a smile and said, "That's convenient."
Convenient? Was I reading too much into this? Did she want to go to the motel and have wild sex with me? I could only hope.
"Yeah, I noticed your car parked over there when I came in," she said. "I recognized it from the gas station. It's … um … rather old. Are you sure it's gonna make it to Vegas?"
Matt picked up the other pitcher of beer and began pouring for Steph and himself. "I think I saw it too," he said. "That old gray Camry in front of the motel next door?" He winced. "Yikes. Hope you have a good towing service."
Everyone laughed, but AJ's face wrinkled in dismay. "Hey, you people are awfully hard on the new guy. Don't worry, my car'll get us there. That's right, Old Reliable, she'll make it to Vegas."
The look on everyone's faces told me they doubted it, but they shrugged it off, ready to have some fun.