Best Of Both Worlds (Colorado Black Diamonds #4)

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

NOAH

“ Y ou guys up for going out?” Bode pops up between the seats as the bus pulls into the parking lot of the arena.

“Bode, it’s almost ten,” I tell him.

“So? You heard Coach—optional morning skate tomorrow because we won back-to-back. That deserves to be celebrated, Fields.”

It’s weird hearing him call me Fields. For so long with the Black Diamonds, I was always Strawberry. Did I hate it then? Yes. Now, I miss it. I miss the familiarity of the team and guys. They became a second family to me.

Something that still feels like it’s missing here since I was thrown into the deep end with only a few weeks before our season ended last year.

“C’mon, man. You can’t say no.” Dax tugs a baseball hat over his head, getting ready to head off the bus. Being one of the newer, faster players we have, the fans in Nashville love him. Whenever we go out, he tends to draw a lot of attention.

Considering how shy he is? He isn’t a fan of it.

“Aren’t you guys tired?”

Having just gotten back from a stretch of preseason games on the road, the very last thing I want to do is go out and hang with the guys.

Maybe this is why I haven’t bonded with any of them , I chide myself.

“I’m out.” Marcus hefts his bag over his shoulder before fishing out his keys and jogging down the aisle of the bus once it comes to a stop. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Okay, how come he doesn’t have to come out?” I whine.

“Because he has a family to get home to,” Bode points out.

“So, because I’m single I have to come?” I ask Jasper.

“Yes. Even I’m going out, so you can’t say no.”

“Ugh. Fine,” I grumble.

“Flounder. You in?” Bode calls back to Graham.

He shrugs a shoulder as he bounds off the bus. “I wouldn’t mind going out. If you’re buying.”

“Cheap ass.”

“I’m happy to stay at home.”

Bode groans. “Fine, I’ll buy. I know a great club with a VIP section we can get into.”

He’s firing away a message on his phone as Graham sidles up to me. “Think we can cut out after two drinks?”

I laugh as we head to my truck. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I’m guessing it’s the address Bode just sent to all of us.

“I’m planning on it.”

“Good.”

By the time we get to the club—some place on Broadway—Bode is there waiting for us as we’re shown behind a velvet rope to a set of stairs. Following behind him, we enter a dark room with low, blue lights that are reflecting off the mirrored walls.

A bar takes up the back wall with a few servers slinging mixed drinks. Some of the guys are already up here with women on their arms.

Grabbing a seat on the velvet benches that line one of the walls, Jasper, Dax, Graham, and I all drop down onto the cushy seats.

“Who wants what?” I ask.

I listen to their drink orders before heading off to the bar and waiting behind a few of the guys. I don’t miss the way the bartender’s eyes latch on to mine.

“What can I get you?” he asks as I lean against the solid wood bar.

“Two IPAs and two old-fashioneds.”

“You got it, babe.”

I watch as he makes the drinks before Bode is pushing his way to the front. “Make sure you come back and see me now.”

“Thanks.”

“Someone looked interested,” Jasper tells me as I set the drinks down on the low table in front of us.

I shake my head as I sip on my drink. “Nah. He was just trying to get better tips.”

“I don’t know.” Jasper peers around me toward the bar. “He definitely is checking you out.”

“Leave him alone,” Graham whispers. It’s so quiet, I’m the only one that hears him. When I cut a quick glance at him, his eyes are hard.

What in the world?

“Why aren’t you trying to pick anyone up, Dax?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Not interested in anyone specific.” His eyes roam over the VIP room. More of the guys have arrived, filling the small space.

“Does that mean there is someone you could be interested in?”

“No.” He answers too fast. There’s definitely a story there, but Jasper won’t let me get it because he is still on the bartender. “Go get me another drink.”

“Why me?” I scoff.

“Because the bartender thinks you’re cute and I need another beer.”

I glance over to his still half-full drink. He definitely knows what is going on with Dax, but I let it slide. Maybe once Dax likes me more, he’ll open up to me.

That’s something I want more than I thought possible. I want these guys to become my family out here. If I have to go get Jasper another beer to keep the heat off Dax, I’ll do it.

“Already back for seconds?”

The guy is leaning over the bar, giving me a slow perusal. His blue eyes are playful, and his blond hair is styled into a perfect, slicked-back mohawk.

“Another IPA, please.”

He smiles at me as he grabs another glass to pull the drink. “You don’t seem like a beer guy.”

“Getting it for a friend. I like bourbon.”

“Something sweet and fiery, huh?” he asks, waggling his brows at me. “Kinda like me?”

“Subtle.” I smile back at him.

“What can I say? I see what I want and go for it.”

“And what do you want?”

“You.”

Any other night and I’d be taking this guy up on his offer. But tonight? Tonight, I’m not feeling it. Maybe it’s because I want to stay and hang with the guys, or maybe I’m just over my messing-around phase.

“Not tonight. Sorry, man.”

Dropping a twenty into the tip jar, I grab Jasper’s drink and head back to the table. The second I turn around, my eyes connect with Graham’s.

Music continues to thump around us, a living, breathing thing. He doesn’t look away as he brings his drink to his mouth.

As the lights flash across his eyes, I can’t pin down what I see there.

Curiosity.

Intrigue.

Dare I say it…lust?

That can’t be right though. Not from him. Not Graham. But the longer we stare each other down, the more convinced I am that there is something there. Something I’ve never seen from him before.

Bode bumps into me, breaking the connection. By the time I look back, Graham is gone. Disappeared without a trace.

Trying not to be obvious, I scan the small VIP area to see where he went, but he’s gone.

Fuck.

What in the world was that?

Graham has been acting different lately, and tonight confirms it.

If only he didn’t run away so I could ask him…

What the hell was that look? Because for the rest of the night, it’s all I can think about.

The way Graham licked his lips. The way it would feel if they were on me.

“You okay, Noah?” Jasper asks.

“Yeah. I’m good.”

“You’ve been quiet since Graham left.”

“Sorry. Just trying to enjoy the night.”

And not think about Graham’s lips on mine. He’s straight. It’s a nonissue.

Then why is my brain making it an issue?