Page 42 of Don't Look Down
The waitress drops off our beers, and rushes off to help another table. We ordered loaded tots and a metric shit ton of wings. Tentatively, I take a small sip of my ice-cold beer, bleh. Definitely not delicious and refreshing.
Clearing my throat, I ask one of the questions currently at the forefront of my mind. “In all the years I’ve been coming to your games, I’ve never been here before. And I’ve driven past it countless times. Do you guys come in here a lot?”
Landon is taking a drink from his glass, so Luc answers, “Yeah, not as often as we used to, but at least twice a month, I’d say. Some nights, you’ll catch the whole team in here.”
“Yeah, we all love it here. Everyone is used to us, so we don’t get waylaid every time we come in. And the food and vibes are good,” Landon adds.
“Seriously. There are so many missed opportunities where we could have run into each other.” My head shakes. So, so many times, I’ve eyed this place and just kept going. “I’m kicking myself, y’know?”
“There’s no sense looking back. Look at us now.”
“Yes. This calls for a toast. To old friends and new, and icy cold brew,” Luc announces. “And the first of many get-togethers.”
“Cheers to that!” Our glasses clink together, joining the cacophony of sounds.
Addy nods. “This place seems pretty awesome, though. I’m glad you guys have a safe space. I imagine the attention can get overwhelming.”
“I don’t mind the attention; it comes with the territory, but-”
Luc is interrupted by Landon’s injection. “But he’s an attention whore.”
“Hey, I resent that remark.” His mock protest quickly dissolves into a good-natured laugh. “But, I’m being serious here. I get stopped all the time. A lot of our fans are locals, and I run into them constantly. An autograph, a photograph, and a quick chat, and I’m on my way. I love that shit. I love that something so small for me can make their entire day brighter.” He glances at each of us in turn, then a shit-eating grin appears. “I say that in the most humble, least conceited way possible.”
Luc deflects the napkin Landon tosses at him.
“What about you, boo?” I take another small sip of beer. Meh. Maybe the flavor will improve when I’m swallowing it down with wings. Our eyes lock, and I pray it’s not obvious that a shiver works its way down my spine at the contact.
His eyes are this gorgeous green. Depending on the lighting, I’ve noticed they range between hunter, moss, and emerald. I’d kill to see those eyes sparkling like jewels in the sun.
You save lives for a living, Sky, stop thinking about killing people. It’s gotta be bad karma or something.
“You hate it, huh?” he asks.
My brows scrunch in confusion. “Um, what?”
He juts his chin in the direction of my beer. “Your beer.”
“Oh, um, nope, not at all. It’s so yummy. Mmm, beer.” The smile on my face is not convincing.
He eyes me in disbelief and flags down our server. “Can we get a watermelon margarita on the rocks, with sugar on the rim?”
Ohmigod, did he really just do that?
“Of course. Give me a few minutes to have them mix it up at the bar and I’ll bring it right over.” She bustles away.
He totally just did that.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Um, yeah, I did. You weren’t enjoying your drink, and now you will. Problem solved.”
Luc pats Landon’s shoulder. “Daddy Spence over here. Taking care of his people. Get used to it, Sky.”
Daddy Spence isnotfucking sexy, Sky. What the fuck?
My margarita appears in front of me, and I snatch it up like the life-saving refreshment it is, gratefully taking a huge gulp to cool me down. I moan at the delicious flavor.
Landon is smirking at me when I look up at him. My cheeks heat, and I thank all the gods for my complexion. My blush shouldn’t be too noticeable. Shit. I donotblush.