The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2)

Chapter 24

24

Rachel

“ S pecially brewed just for you.” Allie places a mason jar of iced, bright purple liquid in front of me.

It looks like something out of a circus with a red and white striped paper straw stuck in the center of the gold, screw-top lid.

Allie’s wearing ripped, faded jeans with cowboy boots and a long-sleeved black sweater with the sleeves pushed up. Over her shoulder is a bulging cloth bag.

“What is it?” I lift the container, inspecting the drink and unscrewing the lid so I can give it a sniff.

I’m dressed in my black yoga pants and my long-sleeved gray sweater. Edward’s been playing pool nonstop to be ready for Sunday. Benji was over for a little while, and I fed them both dinner before the little guy went home.

Zane was at the radio station recording the show all day, and I left before he got back. He’s the last person I feel like seeing or even thinking about today. Or any day .

“It’s grape Jolly Rancher moonshine!” She lifts both arms overhead in a V . “The one constructive thing I did today.”

I cough, holding my hand over my nose. “Tastes like… burning!”

“It’s supposed to taste like grape.” She frowns. “Let me try it.”

I pass her the purple jar of death, and she sips. “Holy maracas—grapes on fire!”

“That does it, hand it over.” Dylan holds out her hand. She’s also in faded jeans with her green Cooters & Shooters tee and flip-flops, and when she takes a sip, her brown eyes bug out. “Jeez Louise! What is that? Everclear?”

“Maybe.” Allie jerks her chin, taking the jar from her and sipping again. “It gets better with time. I can taste the grape now.”

“Your taste buds are numb,” Dylan quips. “If you drink any more, you’ll have to spend the night here.”

“Austin can pick me up.”

“Tell him to bring the wheelbarrow!” Dylan leans forward on the bar laughing. “Okay, for our inaugural girl’s night, I made my special goat cheese toasts drizzled with ghost-pepper-infused honey and almond slivers.”

She passes her hand, game-show-style over an assortment of food platters on the bar, pausing at the first one.

My eyes widen. “Wow, that is fancy! Although, after the moonshine, I’m not sure my mouth can take any more heat.”

“I also have non-spicy honey ones on this tray.” She gestures to another platter opposite the hot one.

I grab a slice of toast, popping it into my mouth and immediately groaning. “That is delicious!”

“For the record, I also made cheesy toast this afternoon,” Allie holds up a finger, taking another sip of moonshine. “And I ate all of it.”

I almost spit my bite laughing, but I catch it with my napkin. “Give back my special drink. You’re having too much fun.”

She puts the jar in front of me. “I think I’m drunk now. ”

“I also have an over-the-top hummus platter with feta, olives, prosciutto, corned beef, and lemons. And all this pita.” She pulls out a plastic bag of round flatbreads.

“Gimmie.” I reach for a cube of feta to pop in my mouth.

“I’m picking up on a goat cheese vibe.” Allie circles her hands over the bar of food, before grabbing one of the hot toasts.

“I made Pizza Rolls!” I hold up a bowl full of little tomatoey squares. “Or Mr. Totino made them. I found a box in the freezer, and Thomas said I could take it.”

“Garrett must’ve left those.” Allie frowns. “There’s no way Craig would eat frozen pizza rolls. Why didn’t we invite Craig?”

“As much as I love my bestie, he’s still a boy.” Dylan takes two more sips of my moonshine and hands it to me again.

I take another long sip and make a sad face. “We killed my special drink.”

“Oh, no, there’s more!” Allie hops over to her bag and pulls out a plastic milk jug full of bright purple liquid. “Knock yourself out!”

We all cheer, and Dylan hops over to the PA system. “We need music!” She presses buttons, and yacht rock fills the empty dining hall.

“Nope!” Allie is off her stool at once. “As much as I love ‘Reminiscing,’ tonight is a party night. We need dance tracks.”

“Take it away, DJ!” Dylan jogs back to where I’m sitting, grinning from a barstool while Allie fires up Charli xcx.

“Sam Allen thought Chappell Roan was Charli xcx.” I am definitely feeling my special moonshine if I’m bringing him up.

“Poor Sam,” Dylan leans closer to me on the bar. “How’s it going with Zane?”

“Stop!” I hold up my hand, closing my eyes. “No boy talk. Tonight is all about having fun!”

“You’re not having fun? But you’ve been so glowy and smiley, I was going to offer to take Edward for a drive.” She waggles her eyebrows .

My lips twist, and she scoops my hand off the bar. “Oh, no! What happened?”

I shrug, not really wanting to talk about Zane. “He shut it all down.”

“What?” Allie skips back to where we’re sitting. “Why?”

“We were very close.” Leaning forward, I meet both their eyes. “All the way close. Then he said everything he touches gets hurt, and he doesn’t want to hurt me, and he wants to keep me safe.”

“Oh my God, if the choice is a bear in the woods or Zane Bradford, give me Zane!” Allie yells. “He’s so good! Have you seen how sweet he is with your brother? And that little Benji kid?”

“Yes, and it’s not good at all,” I argue. “It sucks!”

“It’s a total lie. Zane is completely in love with you.” Dylan cuts her eyes at Allie. “And I know who you’re completely in love with.”

“No!” Allie pinches her arm, which makes Dylan holler.

“Wait, what? Who?” I look from one to the other, and Allie shakes her head.

“I’m not saying his name or the fairies will hear it and it’ll never happen.”

Wrinkling my nose, I take another sip of grape moonshine. “I’ve never heard that before. What fairies?”

“It’s why you knock on wood,” Dylan explains. “So like I could say Allie’s in love with Jack…” She raps her knuckles on the top of the bar with every word, “And the fairies didn’t hear a thing because I knocked wood.”

“You did not just say that out loud!” Allie taps on her phone, and “Man on the Moon” by Megan Moroney starts playing.

I count off on my fingers. “First, perfect song, and second, perfect guy for you!”

“Somebody tell him that,” Allie pouts, crossing her arms. “Although, to be fair, he is Austin’s coach. We work at the same school. It’s probably not a good idea. ”

“If I know my oldest brother, he’s doing all the math.” Dylan pops a hot toast into her mouth. “He’s been burned in the past, you both have kids…”

“I know.” Allie leans on her hand. “Why does he have to be so damn hot?”

“And if I know my second oldest brother…” Dylan puts her arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze. “He’ll get his act together. I can’t remember the last time I saw Zane smile so much.”

“He’s got a great smile.” My lips twist, and my eyes heat. I blink to my fingers on the bar. “If you’re lucky that dimple will appear.”

“You got a dimple smile?” Dylan bounces on her toes. “I predict he’ll come around sooner than you think.”

“Uh-oh.” Allie sees my watery eyes. “No tears—it’s time for fuck, marry, kill!”

“Yes!” I clap, lifting my chin and shaking the blues away. “How does it work?”

“I have everything…” Dylan digs in her bag, pulling out strips of paper and pens, putting them in front of us. “Everyone gets thirty seconds to write their response.”

“Thirty seconds?” Allie cries.

“I want your first impulse.” Dylan puts a plastic hourglass timer on the bar. “Some of these could take forever.”

I take another sip of moonshine, and I’m feeling no pain. “I have some options, too!”

“Perfect, we’ll take turns.” Dylan pushes her dark hair off her shoulder. “First is an easy one. Nose piercing, eyebrow piercing, dick piercing?”

Allie is already writing when Dylan flips the little hourglass, but I’m stuck chewing my lip. What would that feel like?

The door opens, and my stomach pitches when Logan, Jack, and Zane enter the restaurant like a trio of male models. Zane’s eyes immediately land on mine, and his brow lowers. Something different is in his gaze, something hungry, but I tighten my lips, turning away to face the bar.

“No!” Dylan holds up her finger, hopping off her stool. “It’s girls’ night. Boys are not allowed. I already told Craig?—”

“Keep your shirt on, we’re not staying.” Logan meets his feisty fiancée halfway, putting his hand on her lower back and leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

He’s dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved, dark-green sweater. His wavy brown hair is pushed back, and warm blue eyes hold hers.

“We’re going to grab some beers and head out to the pool tables. You won’t even know we’re here.”

“Where’s Kimmie?” Dylan looks from him to Jack, who’s also in jeans and a maroon henley that accentuates his broad shoulders.

Coach Bradford really is hot.

“She’s at the house watching YouTube with Edward.” Jack goes behind the bar and takes out three Yuengling longnecks.

“What are they watching on YouTube?” Dylan’s brow arches.

“Pool Sharks.”

“They like that?” I ask.

“Eddie’s glued to the screen. I expect Kimmie will be asleep in ten minutes.” He hands Zane and Logan their beers.

Zane lingers a moment, and I feel his eyes on me. Shimmers of heat vibrate over my skin, but I won’t look at him. He made his bed, and I’m not giving him the satisfaction of seeing how much I want him right now.

I’m fierce.

“Come on.” Jack lightly punches his arm. “It’s girls’ night.”

“How’d the show go today?” Allie asks.

Dylan’s and my eyes cut to where she’s leaning against the bar in Jack’s direction. He pauses, blue eyes meeting hers, and a half-smile curls his full lips.

“It went well.” He seems like he wants to take a step closer to her, and I can’t breathe. “Garrett’s always fun, and Logan and Zane are pros.”

“He’s being modest.” Logan grips his shoulder. “Jack fits in like he’s done radio all his life, and everybody loves hearing what Coach Bradford has to say.”

“I know Austin will be listening tomorrow.”

Jack’s eyes blink away, and he nods. “He’s a good kid.”

We’re all facing each other, and Luke Bryan is singing about country girls. Tension crackles in the air, but Dylan breaks it with a clap.

“We’ll see you all tomorrow. Now get.”

Logan huffs a laugh, wrapping his arm around her waist and lifting her off her feet. “Okay, danger girl.” He puts her down with a kiss and starts for the screen door that leads to the pool area. Stopping, he reaches for one of the little honey toasts on the bar. “Snacks?”

“Ghost pepper!” Dylan yells, and he tosses it back so fast, we all laugh.

“Been there.”

“Let’s go.” Jack pats his back, and they disappear through the door.

As soon as they’re gone, the three of us all turn, giving each other wide eyes. Our heads are together, and we’re giddy and laughing, high on grape moonshine.

“He was totally checking you out,” I say to Allie.

“Zane was totally checking you out!”

Dylan only shakes her head. “Those boys have it bad.”

Allie slaps her palm on the bar. “Let’s play! What’s your answer?”

I look at my blank sheet. “I couldn’t decide. You go first.”

“Kill the nose, fuck the dick, and marry the eyebrow,” Dylan answers like it’s so obvious.

“Really?” Allie shakes her head. “We are such opposites. I’d kill the dick, fuck the nose and marry the eyebrow.”

“Kill the dick?” I chew my lip. “You wouldn’t want to try it? ”

“Rachel’s kinky.” Dylan elbows my side, and my face heats.

“It’s just a game.”

“My turn!” Allie pours us all a fresh round of grape jet fuel.

“I’m not sure I should drink any more.”

“Nurse it.” She pats my arm. “Ready?”

“I’m ready!” Dylan grabs the timer.

“Paul Mescal, Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd. Go!”

Dylan flips the hourglass down, and Allie has her answers in two seconds. Again, I’m chewing my lip.

“Rachel!” Allie fusses. “What now?”

Leaning closer, I whisper, “Who’s Paul Mescal?”

“He was in that Napoleon movie with Joaquin Phoenix?”

I shake my head. “Didn’t see it.”

“ Normal People on Hulu? About those Irish students who fall in love and have lots of sex?” I shake my head again. “He’s got a really big dick.”

“Oh my God,” Dylan snorts, taking another sip of killer grape. “He does, though.”

“Time’s up!”

“Wait!” I quickly scribble my answer. “Okay.”

“Me first,” Allie says. “Fuck Paul Mescal, marry Paul Rudd, kill Paul McCartney.”

Dylan gasps, eyes wide. “Evil woman! You’d kill Sir Paul?”

“Please. He’s had a good, long life.” She motions to me. “Rach?”

“Fuck Paul Rudd, kill Paul Mescal, marry Paul McCartney.” I squint my nose. “Just because I don’t know who he is.”

“Good call.” Dylan holds up her hand for a high five. “Paul McCartney could die at any time, and you get all that Beatles money!”

“And I’m the evil one?” Allie cries. “You’re devious.”

“You killed Paul Mescal, too?” I lean over to see Dylan’s sheet, but she shakes her head. “I killed Paul Rudd. He’s old, and I wanted to try some big Irish dick. ”

I cackle, holding my hands over my face as I fall back on my stool. “You’re right. Can I change my answer?”

“No.” Allie scoops up the timer. “You’re up, Rach.”

“Yay!” I bounce in my seat. “Here goes: Superman, Iron Man, Aquaman.”

“Whoa.” Dylan’s brows rise, and Allie flips the hourglass slowly. “As in Henry Cavill, Robert Downey Jr., Jason Momoa?”

I shrug. “Whatever works for you.”

They both sit back frowning, and I write my answers quickly. I’m ready for this one.

“Gah, Rachel, way to shut down the game.”

I wiggle my butt back and forth in my chair, humming the melody to Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” That’s when I notice a shadow hanging around the screen door separating the bar area from the pool area. I can’t tell who it is, but from the way my body’s responding, I can make a good guess.

“Time’s up!” I call. “Dylan?”

“That was too hard!” she whines.

“That’s what she said,” Allie snorts, leaning to the side, and I’m pretty sure we’ve all had enough purple drink.

“Fuck Jason, marry Henry, kill Robert.” Her shoulders droop, and Allie shakes her head.

“You disappoint me.” She frowns. “It’s clearly fuck Henry, marry Robert, kill Jason.”

“You’d kill Jason Momoa?” My eyes widen. “But he’s so big and hot!”

“That’s the problem.” Allie curls her nose. “He’s too sweaty. I’m thinking he smells like patchouli or BO. Or both.”

“He does not!” I cry, offended.

“I guess we know who Rachel’s fucking,” Dylan yells, laughing.

The screen door opens, and Zane enters the room with his brow lowered. That muscle in his jaw is tight, and he looks like he’s ready to rip somebody’s head off.

“Zane Bradford!” Dylan yells. “Get out! You are not a girl! ”

“I’m getting fresh beers for me and Logan.” He slides the refrigerator open and takes out two Yuenglings. “Who are y’all talking about?”

“It’s fuck, marry, kill, now get out.” Dylan throws a rolled-up napkin at him.

“What does that mean?” He’s not leaving.

He’s actually acting jealous again, and I’m getting angry.

Allie explains, “We get three options, and we have to sort them.”

“Go.” Dylan hops off her stool and rounds the bar, catching his arms and pushing him to the door.

“Okay,” he exhales, cutting his eyes to me again.

This time our eyes lock, and the hint of a smile on his lips floods my body with lust—followed quickly by anger. Why is he in here snooping around like he’s going to do something? It’s just like with Sam Allen. He won’t let me talk to anyone, then he tells me we can’t be together. I bet Sam Allen wouldn’t push me into the Friend Zone after the kind of sex Zane and I had.

Reaching out, I grab a handful of Pizza Rolls to eat.

“Goodnight, ladies. Goodnight, Rachel.” The low vibration of his voice tickles my stomach, and I consider throwing them at him.

How dare he single me out?

Purple drink clearly makes me feisty, and I’ve clearly had enough.

Elvis sings “Return to Sender,” and I slide off my barstool. “I think I’d better call it a night or I might not make it to Thanksgiving.”

Dylan pulls out water bottles, placing one in front of each of us. “Hydrate while we clean up.”

Nodding, I open the bottle and take a long drink while eating a few more honey-toasts. “These are really good.”

“Thanks! They’re so easy to make.” Dylan reaches beneath the bar and pulls out a plastic container. “We can put them out as appetizers before lunch tomorrow. ”

“Do you need help with prep?” Allie polishes off the last of the Pizza Rolls.

“Thomas and I have it covered. He’s already got the turkey marinating in the fridge, and I’ve got the dressing waiting to go in the oven. All you need to do is show up.”

“We have to do more than that.” I frown, tilting my head.

“You can help with cleanup!” Dylan laughs. “It’s my least favorite job.”

“Consider it done.” I help her stack the plastic containers in the bar fridge, and Allie gives us all hugs.

“I’d better walk home.”

“By yourself?” My brow furrows.

The guys filter in from the pool area, and Logan goes to Dylan, tugging her ponytail so he can kiss her forehead.

“Still going?” he asks.

“Girls’ night has concluded. We’re just cleaning up, and trying to figure out how to get Allie home.” Dylan says it looking straight at Jack, and Allie’s eyes widen as she glares at our friend.

“I can take you. I’ve got to drive home.”

“Haven’t you been drinking?” Allie’s voice is flustered.

“I only had one beer. I’m good.” Jack smiles, and her cheeks flush. “Just have to grab Kimmie.”

She nods, and they start for the door. The food is all packed up, and Logan follows Dylan to the kitchen, where she’ll put the platters in the industrial sized dishwasher. My throat tightens, because they all left me here with him.

Zane stands beside the bar facing me, and I’m still buzzy, even though I’ve drunk an entire bottle of water and eaten one million toasts. I need to get to bed, but what I want more than anything is him. My emotions are all over the place.

I’m mad at him, but it’s because I miss him. I want to be wrapped in his strong arms, in that comforting place where I fit like a lost puzzle piece finally found.

“Ready to walk back?” His quiet voice is warm liquid in my veins .

My eyes flutter shut, and I shake my head no. “I’m not walking back with you.”

He exhales, looking at the large windows, which are usually open to catch the bay breezes. Tonight they’re closed, and raindrops cling to the glass.

“We’re going to the same place, Rachel.”

“No, we’re not.” My eyes flash, and that stubborn survival streak rises in my chest. “I’m going to a place where men don’t walk away from the good right in front of them because it’s not perfect.”

“Rachel…”

He takes a step towards me, but I take off for the door. I’m practically running when I push through it, and the rain hits my face in big drops. It’s cold rain, and I can feel where it mixes with the hot tears on my cheeks.

Blinking through the moisture, I look for the lights on the ground, lining the path to the house in the darkness. I’m not running, and I hear his voice.

“Rachel…”

“Leave me alone.” I pick up the pace.

“I need to talk to you.” He reaches for me, trying to pull me into his arms, but I won’t let him.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I wave my hands, preventing his strong arms from surrounding me. “So many things are broken, but I have to believe I can make them better. I want something better, and I won’t let you hurt me again.”

“I never want to hurt you?—”

“I know, you only want to keep me safe.”

“Look at me.”

The rain is coming down harder, and I blink up to his tortured blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Rachel. I’m sorry for running. I want to make it up to you. I want to give you everything you deserve.” Reaching out, he pulls me into his arms, close against his chest. “Let me show you. ”

My body shudders, and tears warm my cheeks. “What do I deserve?”

“Everything.” He kisses away my tears. “You deserve every beautiful thing, my beautiful girl. You’re smart and strong and funny and sweet. You take all my pain away, and you help me remember how to play. You make me remember what I was like before the darkness came.”

“What are you saying?”

“Don’t you see?” He slides the cold rain off my face with his hand. “I love you, Rachel. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. You’re my light.”

More tears huff through my lips, and my insides melt. “You love me?”

“I love you so much, it terrified me. But I don’t want to lose you. I never want to be without you. Will you forgive me for being afraid? For hurting you?”

If he weren’t holding me so tight, I’d collapse into a puddle.

“Yes…” I nod as laughter bubbles in my chest. “I never believed you anyway. I knew you loved me, but you had to say it for yourself.”

“I’ll say it every day.” Leaning down, he covers my mouth with his, and I’m lost in his kiss.

Our mouths open, and our tongues curl together. Heat floods my freezing body all the way to my core, and I wiggle my arms out of his tight embrace so I can cup his cheeks.

His lips slide across mine, and he lifts his chin, looking towards the house. “I want to make love to you.”

“Go to Miss Gina’s!” Dylan yells, and we both jump as she runs past, squealing in the downpour. “I’ve got Eddie—go!”

“Do it!” Logan slaps Zane on the back, and they keep running to the house.

Zane looks down at me, and I slip out my tongue to lick my bottom lip. Blue eyes heat at the motion, and I feel his body harden against my stomach. Without another word, he turns, gripping my hand in his and leading us in a swift jog to the Jeep.