“Yeah, would you?” Malik waggled his brows at me.
“Sure.” Scoffing a laugh, I slipped into my sneakers and then set my duffel next to Malik’s. “Hey, can you take this home for me?”
“Of course.” He gave me a quick grin. “Have fun with your friends.” He patted my shoulder.
I’d ridden with Malik and Grey to the stadium, anticipating events would unfold the way they had. “I will. See you later.” As I strolled toward the exit, I slipped a thin jacket over my shirt. Now to see what trouble Dante had gotten Colton into.
Mill Avenue was litteredwith people who’d gone to the game. Lines extended from the doors of every restaurant and bar. God, I hoped Dante had reached the pizza place in time for a table. As I strolled along the sidewalk, a few people recognized me, congratulated me on the game, and gave me a high five.
As I passed the club, I peered up the metal stairs leading to the entrance. A few men lingered at the top. The place would be busy early tonight too. We were in for quite a night if we ended up there.
As I entered Four One Four, I looked around. I might be lucky. They weren’t in line or waiting by the hostess stand.
Dante waved from a booth along the back wall.
“Good boy, Dante.” I strolled toward him. He’d listened when I’d told him I preferred sitting back there. But then, Dante was always like that.
As I approached the table, I rubbed my chin. Where should I sit? Dante had taken the booth seat, which I preferred, but it wastime I sat next to Colton. “Hey.” I planted my hand on Colton’s shoulder.
As his gaze found mine, he beamed at me. “Hey, Tex. Have a seat.” He patted the chair next to his.
I had my marching orders. “Okay.” I dropped in beside him and eyed the pitcher of beer. “Damn, that beer looks good.” A half-eaten pizza rested on the table as well. It looked like it had chicken and barbecue sauce on it, maybe.
Colton poured beer into an empty glass and slid it toward me. “There. You deserve this after playing so well tonight.” Planting his elbow on the table and his cheek in his hand, he bit his lower lip.
He looked…giddy? “Uh, how much have you had to drink?” Dante hadn’t made Colton do shots again, had he? Examining Colton more closely, I sipped my beer and the cool bubbles rushed down my throat. God damn, that was refreshing.
“We only had a few beers at the game.” Colton gave me a lop-sided grin.
“But I talked Colton into two shots of tequila since we’ve been here.” Dante raised his beer glass. “To the win,mi güero.”
Oh boy, I was in for it. I had a tipsy Colton and a happy-go-lucky Dante. “Gracias.” I tapped my beer on Dante’s.
“Wait.” Colton lifted his beer and tapped it on each of ours. “Good job, babe.” As his eyes popped open, he slapped his hand over his mouth.
Babe?What? Had I entered an alternative universe? “Sure.” I barked out a laugh. “That’s pretty funny, Colton.” I had to recover and not out him. I drank my beer while keeping my attention on Dante. Had he heard it?
Dante arched a brow. “Güeromeans blondie, or something close to that. It’s not like honey or babe.” He freed a soft snort. “But we say it lovingly, you know?”
“Oh.” Colton’s face reddened all the way to the tips of his ears. “I thought…” Shaking his head, he scoffed a sharp laugh. “Never mind.” He drank more beer.
Thank God Dante had misread what Colton had said. “I’m glad to see you two getting along.” What had Dante told Colton about me? I was sure it was plenty. I picked up a pizza slice. They had laid out food after the game, but I’d only eaten a little of it. “Barbecue chicken?”
“Yep.” Colton nodded and grinned. “Dante said you love anything barbecue.”
“He did, did he? And what else did Dante tell you?” I flicked my gaze at Dante while biting into the pizza.
“I told him all your secrets. Especially the most embarrassing ones.” Flagging down the server, Dante cackled.
Leaning toward me, Colton said, “No, he didn’t.” He patted my thigh and then left his hand on it. “Dante only spoke highly of you.” His lips twitched at the corner and his smile waned. Clearing his throat, he hung his head and removed his hand.
Shit, something was up. I ate more pizza.
Dante ordered tequila shots for the table.
“Hey, I don’t think Colton should have any more shots.” Shit, I’d have to drink his. But so what? Two shots were nothing to me. I’d have to keep my eye on Colton though. After another sip of beer, I said, “Hey, the game crowd is filling up the nearby bars. Do you want to just stay here?—”
“No, we’re going to the gay bar down the street.” Dante flicked his gaze to Colton. Leaning over the table, he grabbed Colton’s forearm, which rested next to his pizza crusts on a plate. “Aren’t we, Colton?” He focused on me. “We’ve already discussed it.”