Page 41 of Payoff Pitch
Cheetah shakes his head. “It had nothing to do with your spilling. If your grandparents had plastic on their couch, it’s because your grandmother was a squirter and your grandfather knew what he was doing.”
I burst out laughing. “Oh my god. That’s a horrific image that will now haunt me.”
He nods with his trademark smirk and sparkling blue eyes. “But it’s true.” He winks at Kam. “Right, lickalotapus?”
Kam starts laughing hysterically. “That’s a good one, kitten. I haven’t heard it before.”
He smiles at her. “I love your laugh, but I’d love to hear your moan even more.”
I lean over to Kam and whisper, “I think Cheetah is your soul mate. You two come up with the most random stuff.”
She whispers back, “I think I might finally sleep with him tonight. I’ll fuck with him for another hour or so, but then I’m taking him home. I’ve been with all women recently. Time to play a little hide the sausage in my fun factory.”
“Finally. I was starting to feel bad for him. Go sooner rather than later so I don’t have to hear it. It’s almost closing time here and I can’t deal with your loud ass.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I feel like you’ve never been fucked properly. Is this a cry for orgasm help? Blink twice if you’re in danger.”
I roll my eyes, and she sighs. “Fine. We’ll leave soon. You’ll be okay to get home without me?”
“I’m good. I’ll walk home with Arizona or Ripley.”
“Why don’t you go home with Ezra? He looks like he wants to give you orgasms.”
I look over at him and he winks at me. I mumble to her, “I’m not into it. I will never be with him. Don’t push me. You know I can’t do the random hookup thing, and even if I was, I wouldn’t do that to Ezra.”
“That’s because you want Daddy Tanner and his dry beard.”
I pinch my eyebrows together. “What makes you think his beard is dry?”
“Just assuming. Why don’t you sit on it and condition it?”
I can only smile at my ridiculous sister.
She winks at me. After some more back-and-forth between her and Cheetah, she finally tells him it’s game on, and he immediately throws her over his shoulder and sprints out the door in excitement.
After another round of drinks, the only people left are Trey, Gemma, and Ezra. I’m not sure where everyone else went. Ezra and I were chatting about his family when they all disappeared.
He’s homesick. He’s from a small town and has a huge family. I think being in a big city is hard for him. I wish he would find someone. He’d be happier if he did.
With the bar beginning to empty out, the sound of the door opening draws my attention. Tanner walks in. I’ve never seen him here before. I smile as he approaches. “Hey. What are you doing here? It’s late. Where’s Harper?”
“She’s sleeping at the Windsors’. Layton invited me to come but I got hung up talking to Reagan. Where is he?”
Trey chuckles. “He and Arizona couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They left a while ago.”
His eyes toggle between me and Ezra. “Am I…interrupting? I can leave.”
I shake my head. “Not at all. Please sit. It’s last call anyway. Have one drink with us.”
Could I be more obvious in my excitement to see him outside of work?
I slide down in the booth, and he sits next to me. I only then realize how awkward it is. Trey and Gemma are on one side all over each other. I’m on the other side now sandwiched between Ezra and Tanner. I wish I were more like Kam right now. She’d be in heaven sandwiched between two hot guys. She’d probably give both hand jobs under the table without breaking a sweat.
After the waitress brings us another round, Tanner smiles at Trey and Gemma. “Gem, Trey said he’s taking you on a trip for your anniversary after the season. Are you excited?”
Trey’s eyes widen. He grits out. “That was supposed to be a surprise, big mouth.”
Gemma lovingly rubs Trey’s scruff with her fingers. “A surprise trip? I’m so excited. Where are you taking me?”