“Keep it that way, mister.” She attempts another pointed look but can’t hold it very long before she’s laughing with me.
“Has your brother gotten dates yet on when he gets to come visit?” I ask as we pull into the parking lot of Taco’s and Guac.
“Nothing firm yet. I was texting with Heather and she thinks it was going to be pushed until after the holidays.”
“That stinks, but I guess a visit at any time is better than none.”
“Exactly,” she agrees.
We walk into the restaurant and I look around to see if anyone has beaten us here. I spot Matt in the corner at one of the large booths. “It looks like someone is already here from our party,” I tell the hostess, pointing at Matt.
“Go right over,” she states, and I escort Carmen. She waves at a couple sitting at a table; the guy looks familiar, but I definitely recognize the woman sitting across from him as Reese Blackwood. The famous country singer.
“Was that who I think it was?” I quietly ask Carmen before we take a seat across from Matt.
“Yep, that was Austin Jones and Reese Blackwood. They’re married and have a daughter. She spends all her off time here in Indianapolis with him, since he plays for the Eagles.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said this place was laid back and people could just go about their lives as if it was normal for them to be here.”
“I think that’s why so many people from the two teams congregate here. That and the food is killer,” she states. “Hey, Matt, how’s it going?” she asks him, placing the menu I hand her from the pile on the table. Apparently, she doesn’t need one, if that move indicates anything.
“Can’t complain. Just trying to plan a trip,” he says.
“Oh yeah? Where to?” Carmen asks. I spot JJ and Riley headed our way, the baby carrier in JJ’s hand. He’s shortly followed by Derek and his wife and two girls. He’s also carrying an infant carrier, as they just had a new boy a few weeks ago.
“Mexico, maybe, or the Caribbean. I don’t really care all that much. I just want a beach, the sun and some drinks. Maybe take a fishing charter one day or go out jet skiing. Any of you guys want to plan something together, I just need out of the dreary winter we’re getting into.”
“A beach sounds good right about now,” Carmen muses.
“I wish we could, but this little man,” Jillian points at the baby in Derek’s arms, “is keeping us from any vacations right now. He’s still a little on the young side for me to feel comfortable going anywhere far from home.”
“That’s understandable. How’s life with a newborn?” Carmen asks Jillian.
“Great, just tiring. And now we’re outnumbered so things can be a little trickier at times, but the girls have done so good with having a baby brother in the house.”
“Aww, I bet they are just the cutest with him. Two little extra mothers.”
“I’m sure he won’t find that cute when he’s a teenager,” Derek chimes in.
“Eh, I’m sure he’ll give them just as much shit as they give him,” JJ states.
“He’s got lots of girls to protect, between his sisters and cousin,” Riley adds.
“Are you guys ready to order?” a waitress asks, interrupting our conversation. I realize no one else has even attempted to look at the menu, so I let everyone else order while I scan over the options and go with the daily special.
“Hey, are you serious about a vacation somewhere?” I ask Matt as we all chow down on the chips and salsa.
“Yeah, I just need to get out of here for a little while. Need to reset.”
“I’ll talk to Carmen about it tonight, see if I can convince her that we should go, and then shoot you some ideas on where. We’re watching my nephew tonight, so we can do some research once he’s in bed,” I tell him.
“No convincing necessary,” Carmen interjects. “I’m all over some beach time.”
I lean over, speaking only loud enough so Carmen can hear me. “I’m already getting hard at the thought of you in a bikini for a week,” I tell her, my eyes dropping to my lap. I love the way her cheeks pinken with a slight blush as my words register.
“You’re incorrigible. If we go, I’ll be bringing my suits that cover the most amount of skin possible, maybe even a full-on wet suit.” She laughs. “I don’t think you’d like all your friends seeing me in the skimpy bikini you have pictured in your head right now,” she whispers and I growl at the thought of other guys getting to see her like that.
“Okay, maybe you’re onto something here with the wet suit.” I smirk.
We’re pulled from our private conversation about bathing suits when our food all arrives. Damn this place is fast and hella good. I can definitely see the appeal to this place.
Eighteen
Carmen
I step out into the sand, the sun warming every inch of my skin as I soak it all up. The amount of time we scheduled this vacation in should go down in the record books. Just ten days ago this was an idea, and here we are at a resort in the Caribbean.
“Hey, baby.” Lucas comes up behind me, his hands sliding along my waist as he pulls me against him. We stand here, looking out at the water from our semi-private beach front. Our room has walk-out beach access, which is amazing. “Ready to go find some lunch?” he asks.
“Yep, and a fruity drink,” I tell him as he links his fingers with mine. We casually walk towards the buffet that is set up by the large outside bar.
We grab plates, piling them high with all sorts of things, then make our way to one of the tables in the shade. Lucas waves Matt down as he sees him enter the line to grab his
