Free Night Games by Collette West Page B

stand in the doorway, unable to make up my mind about how to proceed, when the Latino guy from the bathroom, accidentally bumps into me from behind.
    “Oh sorry, man. My bad.” He looks up at me sheepishly.
    “It’s all right, brother. No harm, no foul,” I respond, grateful that he made the decision for me. I can’t stand here all night, contemplating what I’m going to do. There’s no way I can make a move on her, and that’s that.
    But the guy surprises me when he doesn’t go back to the bar. Instead, he heads directly toward her. No fucking way. I feel like tearing after him, but I hold myself back. She’s greeting him warmly, getting up out of her chair to give him a hug. As she wraps her arms around him, she gets a good look at me over his shoulder. Her eyes snap to mine and I can’t look away. What I wouldn’t give to be the one she’s clinging to right now.
    She stands on her toes, prolonging the embrace. I don’t know if it’s to keep looking at me or if she’s trying to rub it in. Fuck that. I’m not going to watch their public display of affection. Besides, two can play at that game.
    “Where were you, dude? You like disappeared on us.” Noah looks ridiculous with a tiny bib wrapped around his neck as he devours the plate of steamed clams in front of him.
    “And my girl’s friends are dying to get to know you better.” Keith, the owner’s son, makes a sweeping gesture with his hand, indicating the expectant faces gazing over at me. Someone must have pushed the two tables together after I left, so the girl I was sort of attracted to is sitting in a chair right next to mine. Well, if this isn’t a stroke of luck, I don’t know what is. They’re making it almost too easy for me.
    “You said you wanted to get laid tonight, didn’t you?” Noah says in a mock whisper and everyone laughs, including me.
    Ah, screw it. I’m not going to get caught up over this. It’s simple. These girls know what I’m after. And I think it’s fair to say that any one of them would be willing to give it to me. I just have to choose which one I want. Same as always—have them chase me as I sit back and decide. No effort required.
    Until I hear the girl I really want giggle across the room. Her friend is back, showing the Latino guy something on her phone. They all start to crack up as she replays what appears to be a video over and over. It better not be of me.
    “Hey, you okay?” The curvaceous brunette I was admiring tilts her head in my direction. I unclench my jaw and give her a tight smile. Her eyes are brown, too, but nothing like the ones I keep getting lost in.
    “Yeah,” I respond, sitting down and moving my chair closer to hers. “I am now.” I don’t waste any time. I lower my head, burying my face against her curls. She smells like a combination of cK One and cigarettes, a blend I’m actually quite familiar with. I move my lips closer to her ear, not caring who sees me. I nibble at her neck as she lets out a gasp. “Do you wanna get out of here?” I ask, boldly running my hand up her thigh.
    “Uh huh,” she manages to whisper, closing her eyes.
    “Let’s go.” I don’t hesitate, slipping her hand in mine.
    “Um, excuse me. Do you have a minute?”
    Shit. It’s her.
    I did it. I got her to come over and talk to me. This feels even better than winning the World Series, and I didn’t think such a thing was possible. I knew my ploy would work.
    I drop the brunette’s hand and turn around in my seat, trying to suppress my grin. But when I look up, I’m taken aback. She’s standing there with two kids. What? Where did they come from? She has her hands on their shoulders like she feels the need to protect them from me. They’re two boys, probably around seven or eight, and they’re staring at me in wide-eyed amazement. They shouldn’t be in a bar. They should be home in bed. Not holding out their Little League caps to me with Sharpies clipped to the brims.
    “What is it?” I