sh

y. It's a habit I've clung to for many years after past relationships tore me down. However, those deep blue eyes a

his woman not at all impressed with the accolades we've accomplished? We've won four champi

even being an Ozarks fan? That, to me, is amusing, and a smile slips onto my face. Sh

ilding swings open. In the doorway stands a beautiful stranger. B

g into the tavern with sunglasses on

ing, I quickly stand up and

is!" I mutt

k God," h

he pulls down her sunglasses so I can see the tops of

has made her way to our table. "You don't

lasses, placing them on he

tried to find you afterward. I just had to say you we

ge fan of you, too. I cannot believe Asher Sla

ling in my stomach from the night before c

ater is one of the youngest and most successful A

ut I don't know yours." Sh

g star," she breathes

, lover boy's

ords but keep a

ut. I'd love to learn what a guy li

e the one to make the first move. I feel my tongue get stuck inside my mouth

lutely, I'd

reet; it's supposed to be unequivocally fabulous. Meet me

e that hasn't left my brain for the past day; it still sings in my ears as I watch her twirl around.

ieve what's just

" Mark snaps, getting my attention. He reaches out a

reathless. "She asked me out.

girl you like wouldn't want to go on a date wit

can't explain it, really. There's just something about her, somet

norts. "You're r

ront of us with a loud CLANG. She seems much stiffer than she did

s from the rivals would piss her off so much. AJ's never acted that way towards me, especially since he's paid

or shout, and she's not even saying anything rude. But th

igs into his sandwich. She turns and stalks away hurrie

?" Mark asks with a full bite of food in his mouth. "Honestly, man, you ju

nterested in me. I mean, she hates the Ozarks; she clearly didn't want to talk to us agai

stopped you before? She's

hook my head, taking a sip of my drink. "Besides, you were there last

an the voice they use to screech, yell, or sing at you. Like, how good in bed is she? Ho

re kidding, right? Like, seriously kidding? It's the twenty-firs

I'm sorry, it's just fun to mess with you. I'm happy you have a pote

ng her name come up after so much time has passed. I still feel the anxie

troyed me. Yo

m glad you're fi

ver her for

irl you've actually given

ng to prove to the world that I'm like my dad and brother. All the years of people

remember. She's a bitch. I completely

took the guy I was trying to prove I am and ma

being a playboy is bad? It j

hiss. "I want people to know who I ACTUALLY am, no

e I said, I'm just glad you're finally over her. You can hate her for as long as you want, bu

nipulated our narrative. I've never wanted people to think I'm some playboy type. But when pe

the Ozarks won the game today in the

't just be me; I have to live under my fami

led up to a smile. I wonder if that's why she grew sour toward us-that she

here's no use in trying to change her mind. She's just someone I'll never me

e going out tonight. I c

with such a perfect voice. I can imagine our date going long into the night, where we laugh and talk about an

ay end up beginnin

w he'll laugh and make fun. He's a great guy, but he'll never stop

ress, waiting for me at the restaurant, and to