“Well, that’s our cue to leave.” Wyatt takes his wife’s hand. “If anyone is looking for us… too bad.”
I give them a wave as they walk out of the conference room. Instead of trying to find something to do, Justin and I make our way to the arena. We watch some of the routines. He asks questions. The fact that he doesn’t mock the kids on stage is another point in his favor. Carl never thought what I did was worth all the time and effort I put into it. He certainly didn’t understand why it was important to encourage school kids. He thought we should be encouraging them to spend more time on their academics. And he was nowhere near as smart as Justin. Considering how much time Justin had spent with his books in high school, I would expect him to be more dismissive about cheerleading as a sport. But if anything, he respected the amount of time and training these girls put in.
“I cannot believe I didn’t know you could do this when we were younger.” He looks down at me. “Though, I don’t think I would have appreciated it back then.”
“Yeah, you and my brother were pretty much anti anything the popular kids did.” I narrow my eyes and think about the fact that he’s also friends with my second oldest brother. “I’m surprised you’re such good friends with Denver. As captain and quarterback of the football team, he was more like the ultimate jock.”
“Yeah, we only became friends once he left school.”
I wondered if he knew that Denver and his cousin Andi had dated for a while. He’d already left for college and they had kept it a secret. The only reason I knew about it was because I caught them one day. And they weren’t making out. I’ve tried to banish that image from my head, though. I suppose he didn’t know about it and I wasn’t going to bring it up now.
The alarm went off on my phone. “I need to go.”
“What do you have planned for tonight?” I smiled at him. “I want to make-out at a movie.”
He lowers his forehead to mine. “I think that can be arranged. We better eat beforehand. I think we’re going to want to get back to our room as soon as possible after the movie. And we’re going to need our energy.”
“I’m counting on it.” I give him what I hope is a sexy smile and saunter off.
Justin
I’m sitting at the back of the arena watching Angela’s final cheerleading performance of her career. Last night after our movie date followed by some more explosive sex, we ended up having another one of our marathon talking sessions. She’s really easy to talk to. She doesn’t judge and I am still a little surprised at how much she’s interested in my work, even though it’s clearly not her thing.
They’re dancing to Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night. She’s wearing tiny black shorts and a silver racer-back top. Watching the way she moves that body reminds me of some of the bedroom acrobatics we’ve been doing over the last few days. I adjust myself as surreptitiously as I can.
The week has gone by far too quickly. I was right when I said that one week with her would not be enough. I don’t want to end what we have. It may not work out outside of the bright lights of Vegas, but I want to at least try. She’s my best friend’s little sister, though. Not that I expect Michael to get all caveman on me about it. Besides, if Angela does agree to date me, I have no intention of sneaking around.
I watch the end of the performance and applaud with everyone else as they make their final bow.
As everyone files out of the arena, I stay put staring at Michael’s contact details on my phone. I could wait to see if she will even consider dating me once we’re back. That is probably the safest course. No need to rile anyone up for something that may not happen.
Then again, if we do just pick up where we left off here, he might accuse me of hiding things from him.
Before I can overthink it anymore, I hit call.
Michael picks up after the second ring. “Hey asshole, how’s Vegas”
I take a deep breath. “Vegas is… better than I expected.”
“Did you get a chance to catch one of Angie’s performances?”
So much for building up. “I did. In fact, I’ve seen almost all of her routines this week.”
“You what? Justin don’t tell me—”
Before he can give me any warnings, I cut him off. “This is a courtesy call. I’m not asking your permission. And for the love of God, don’t threaten me with our friendship. Angela and I are both adults. We’ve been on a few dates, and when we’re both back in Seattle, I’d like to see her some more.”
“You’re screwing my sister?”
“Don’t be an asshole.” I wasn’t going to argue with him about this, but I also wasn’t going to allow him to disrespect her. “Don’t speak about her like that.”
“Okay.” I can hear Michael take a deep breath on the other end of the line. “I appreciate the head’s up. Just don’t hurt her. Do you have any intention of letting Denver know? You know he’ll get all over-protective caveman-big-brother on you.”
I smiled knowing I had his blessing. I didn’t need it, but it was good to know he trusted me with his sister. “Nope. He still doesn’t know that I know about him and Andi. I think it may be time to play that card.”
“Well, don’t expect him to not take a swing at you.”
“Better him than you. I wouldn’t want to damage those priceless surgeon’s hands of yours.”
Denver may well want to punch me. Of all the three of them Denver was the one most likely to get into a fight. I think it’s a relic from his football days.
I end the call with
