Page 2 of Wild Card
My best friends, brothers in bond, the finest men I know.
They’re also fucking idiots for wasting time with the finest women I’ve ever met.
A shard of pain stabs my shoulder and I clench my teeth to keep from flinching.
“Order me a beer, be back.” I take off in the other direction without explanation and bypass the line waiting for the bathroom.
“What the fu—” The man shuts his mouth, recognizing me, and steps aside.
I pull my shirt halfway off and inspect my shoulder. “Goddammit.” The bruising has already formed and the muscles tick against my fingertips.
“Better not let Rowan see that.” Ford’s eyes lock on mine in the mirror.
“Did you follow me?”
“Knew something was off when Jay gave you the sucker punch.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Bullshit, how bad is the pain?” He presses the tender spot near the socket.
“Zero,” I lie.
“You had to be a show-off, sliding into the base.”
“Hey, gotta give the fans a show.”
“Wanna head out and take a pain pill?”
“Fuck no.” Last time I was in the hospital, they kept me so doped up I was high for a week after.
“No shame in being human.”
“You want to go home and take a pain pill?”
“Not taking a pain pill, but if it gets Rowan in bed sooner, then I’m game.”
I adjust my shirt and shake my head. “You want to use me as your wingman to get laid? Didn’t we pass that stage, considering you have a ring on her finger?”
“She has a soft spot for you. If I play it up, it moves things along.”
“Jesus Christ, at least buy her a drink first. Don’t you have any respect for your lady?”
His grin falters and he eyes my shoulder again. “Seriously, man, no shame. You’re hurt, we leave.”
“I’m good. Or at least I will be once you buy me a beer and a celebratory shot. None of the cheap shit either.”
He follows me out, and we’re stopped by a petite blonde woman who’s flailing her hands in the air wildly. She grabs my elbow, yanking me around the corner.
“I don’t have much time. Are you gay?”
Ford lets out a loud snort and I shoot him a glare before answering, “No.”
“Are you here with someone?”
“I’m here with a lot of people.”
“Are you a cop?”
