“I’m just saying, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“You just don’t want me to have the room, that’s it?”
“No! Fuck, that’s not what I’m saying. Fine. You wanna play? Let’s play.” The city high-rises are still a few miles off as our driver slows for traffic, but I thumb through my phone and smile when I find the reviews on a place within walking distance from the arena. “Screamin’ Lickin’ Chicken will be awaiting your smart mouth. I hope you can handle the heat.”
“You sure talk a lot of shit for someone not eating,” she says all smug.
My brows arch from behind my phone and I shake my head. “I’m out of the running. I already won once.”
“Sounds like a bitch excuse.”
Cackles and a chorus ofoohhscome from the guys, but my competitive nature only jumps at the smack she’s talking.
“If these guys let me back in the running, I’d outeat you. Easy. There’s no way a little w—” The daggers from her eyes cause me to pause and restructure my retort. “Person such as yourself can beat me in a wing eating contest.”
She only looks to Sean and lifts her brows.
“I say yes.” He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Fine.” Austin blows out a breath and sips his drink.
Lexi slams her notebook shut with a grin. “It’s on, T. I’m gonna sleep so damn good on that bed tonight.”
“Hope you’re ready to put your money where your mouth is, Marx. You talk a big game for someone who can’t reach the top shelf.” I lean over the table, my knuckles pushing into the top, but it doesn’t intimidate her. No, she only laughs.
“The only thing you’ll be eating is your words, Donavan.” She glares me down, the hint of a smile on her plump, perfect lips. Fuck, I wish I could taste those instead of cayenne pepper wings.
“Oh, my God, would you two just fuck already?” Austin shouts and his words are like a slap to my face. Am I that obvious? A love-sick puppy pining over a woman who won’t sleep with me unless she’s weakened by sickness, and then it’s only to snuggle.
I’m so fucked.
“And why exactly would I want to do that?” She responds all sass and eye rolls. I’m extra fucked up because her eye rolling is starting to turn me on.
Austin sets down his coffee and considers her question with a cocky lift to his lips. “For one thing, you’d feel better. Happier. Maybe you wouldn’t be such a bitch if you were getting some.”
That’s it. I’m so tired of his bullshit. Anger flares from inside and I’m ready to punch my own friend in his fucking face. He doesn’t get to disrespect her like that.
Lexi meets my gaze, and extinguishes my thoughts of murder with a mere tilt of her chin, patting the empty spot to her left until I sit down beside her. Her voice is light and teasing. “Right. Because Trent has a magical dick.”
If only she really believed that.
Sean snickers. “Some have said it’s got the Midas touch.”
“I think I’ve heard that rumor.” Lex purses her lips and squints as if she’s trying to recall the answer to a complicated test. She knows exactly how to diffuse the situation, how to handle herself amongst a bus full of assholes, and my respect for her grows even more.
“Does that mean he can turn pussy to gold?” Austin slaps his leg and lets loose a boisterous laugh.
“I’ll pass,” Lexi says to Austin. She waves a hand and then settles back against the bench. Her knee brushes my leg and my dick hardens in response. God damn. I’m worse than my former teenage self. “My pussy’s a treasure without Trent’s rod going anywhere near it.”
Oh, fuck me.
“I have no doubt,” I mutter under my breath while the guys continue to laugh. Iz finally rouses from his bunk, his years of drug use the only explanation for being able to sleep through our rowdiness. He mutters a greeting on his way to the bathroom.
“Dude, Lexi. You’re the fucking best.” Austin holds his fist to Lexi and she bumps it with her own. “I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into with this wing challenge. The private room is worth a lot, but you need to remember what goes in hot, comes out hot.”
“Oh, Austin, you don’t think I’m scared of a little ass play, do you?”
The table goes completely silent as we each regard her with wide eyes, and maybe a hint of admiration. The silence stretches until she bursts into laughter.
“Totally fucking with you.” She rolls her eyes before winking. “Maybe.”
Dear God, I call mercy. This woman will be the death of me.
