Falcons and Americans players. There’s a bunch of us here. I know the other guys would love to see you too.”
I can feel him staring at me. I turn my head and find Cross glaring at Keith and myself and he does not look happy.
“Why is Cross Hamilton staring us down? Is something going on between y’all?”
“Keith, seriously? I just met the guy an hour ago. Besides, he seems a little intense for me. I know he’s best friends with all of my friends but there’s just something about him that I can’t figure out.”
“Well, I’ve known him for most of my life. We’re definitely not friends but we are cordial to each other. Intense is a good word. He lives to work just like you. I definitely don’t think he’s someone you want to get involved with though. He doesn’t seem like your type.”
I laugh at that. My type? What the hell is my type? I am pretty sure my girl friends would tell you my type is any guy alive and walking right now. One day I’ll find someone… one day.
CROSS
I just need dinner to be over now. I’ve had to sit across the table from her for the past hour and I just need to get away for a minute. She’s so fucking beautiful and I find myself staring at her constantly but having these kinds of feelings is not me. I don’t date seriously. I use women when I need a date for a function or an event and for sex. I admit it. I have never wanted to settle down and get married. So why is it every single time I look at Ashleigh, those are the first thoughts that come into my head.
I’m sitting at this table with fifteen other people. Besides our friends and my brothers, Merritt made sure to seat one guy and one girl that Ashleigh and I were friends with next to us so it looked like we had a date. I have no clue why. She could have sat Ashleigh and I together and added another couple to the table. Unfortunately, she sat Keith Rivers next to Ashleigh who I have noticed are quite chummy with each other. And of all the people, she put Haley Gray next to me. The same Haley whose condo I darted out of a few weeks after going a round with her. Now, she’s all over me because she thinks I want her here.
Everyone is finishing up their entrées and thankfully my mom and Merritt had the right idea of making dessert be a buffet throughout the rest of the night. I’m not sure how much more I can take of sitting by Haley and watching Ashleigh and Keith act all cozy.
Merritt’s assistant, Peyton, walks up to Ashleigh and whispers in her ear. Whatever she said, it got Ashleigh to quickly finish her dinner and excuse herself from the table but not before Keith gave her a kiss on the cheek. She glanced at me as she stood up and I had this pissed off look on my face. I shouldn’t. I have no reason to be pissed at her but I hate fucking Keith Rivers. We’ve never gotten along.
Dixon, who’s sitting next to me, starts laughing. “Dude, if you stare at Ashleigh or Keith any harder, with that pissed off glare, you may burn a hole in them. What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing man. I just don’t like Rivers.”
“Seriously, do y’all still have problems with each other since our high school days? That’s just stupid as shit Cross. We’re 31 years old. Maybe it’s time we all grow up a little bit.”
“Whatever man. I’ve got to get some air. I’ll be back in a little while if anyone asks.”
With that, I get up as Haley tries to tag along. I tell her I’ll be back in a little