Besides, it would be rude to cancel at the last minute.

Ugh. I wasn’t normally like this. Indecisive. Unsure. Questioning my own motives. West just stirred me up inside, like shaking a soda bottle and opening it up too soon. I was a soggy mess, and it was all his fault.

Wishing I had time to do my hair and makeup up right, I ended up going super casual, knowing I was already running late. It was better this way, anyway. I didn’t want to seem desperate. After throwing on a skinny olive green tank, an oversized white v-neck t-shirt that fell off one shoulder, cutoffs, and leather flip flops, I sprayed my hair with a massive amount of my favorite sea spray and hoped it didn’t look horrible when I arrived. I swiped on a quick coat of mascara, grabbed my bag, and ran out the door.

The clock on the dash read seven twenty-six as I pulled into the Wreck’s parking lot. I glanced in my rearview mirror and cringed. Yeah, my hair had seen better days. Sighing, I twisted it up into a loose bun, so at least the mess would look like it was on purpose.

When I walked in, I spotted West immediately. He was sitting at one of the picnic tables between the door and the pool tables, a small mountain of peanut shells in front of him. He looked up as I slid onto the bench across from him.

He looked at his watch. “I was starting to think you weren’t gonna show.”

“I thought about it.”

His eyes roamed my face. “I’m glad you did.”

I shrugged. I still wasn’t sure if this whole thing was a smart idea. But West looked good tonight, relaxed in a faded tee and dark jeans, his nose a little sunburned.

He stood and gestured toward the bar. “Can I get you something to drink?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t come here for drinks. This isn’t a date.”

West looked wounded. “Why did you come then?”

“I’m … not sure. Why did you leave the note? I figured I wouldn’t hear from you again after our… one-night stand.” My voice trailed off at the end to an embarrassed whisper.

“Who said anything about a one-night stand?” He growled.

I scrunched my eyebrows, confused. What would he have called it? I picked a peanut from the bucket and cracked it open to give my hands something to do. “I just didn’t expect to hear from you again, that’s all.”

Didn’t expect to, but had crossed my fingers and toes and wished on a star for good measure. Until Aubrey had ruined my fantasy.

“So, you were just using me?” He sounded amused by the idea.

I almost choked on my peanut. “Not any more than you were using me!”

His eyes darkened, the gray more prevalent than the blue. “I’d like to use you again.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “And again and again.”

I forgot to breathe for a long moment, the look in his eyes so similar to the way they’d looked the other night. But I reminded myself who I was dealing with — and Theo’s warning — and steeled my resolve. I cocked my head at him and pretended to consider his offer. “You got any tricks left up your sleeve?”

“Not my sleeve. Lower.” He gave a wicked grin. “Go out with me this weekend.”

I was annoyed that he didn’t make it a question. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What about Aubrey?”

“You want her to come too?”

“No!”

He smirked. “But you do want to go.”

Again, it wasn’t a request. “You seem like trouble,” I told him. “Maybe more trouble than you’re worth. I’m just looking to chill and have fun this summer.”

“I’m fun,” he countered. “Let me prove it to you. This weekend.”

“You could try asking, you know.” I was exasperated.

“I am.”

“No. You’re telling me. I don’t like to be told what to do.”

He leaned back, crossing his arms across his chest. “How ’bout this? We play for it. If I win, I get to take you out this weekend. If I lose, I can just be your back-up booty call, and we’ll leave it at that.”

I copied his stance. “What game?”

“Lady’s choice.”

I sucked at pool. “How are you at air hockey?”

“Hopefully better than you.”

“Doubt it.” Losing to Boone the other day had been a fluke. I had mad air hockey skills. “And I’ll take that drink now.”

“What can I get you?”

So he did know what a question was. “Rum and coke… and cherries.”

He groaned and looked at my mouth before standing up. “Be right back.”

While West was at the bar getting our drinks, Theo showed up and made a beeline for me.

“You came! I wasn’t sure if you would.” He plopped down next to me and grabbed a handful of peanuts.

“I came to meet West, not you.” I pointed to the bar.

Theo did a quick scan of the room. “That’s fine, I don’t see Chelsea anyway.” He cracked a peanut and popped it in his mouth. “So, you and West? Things are over for sure between him and Aubrey?”

“Either that or he’s blatantly cheating on her with me. I’m not sure I care if he is. Aubrey’s a piece of—”

“Shit,” Theo finished for me. “And West wouldn’t cheat.”

“How do you know?”

“West doesn’t do girlfriends. Can’t cheat if you’re not together.”

Before I could reply, West returned and handed me my drink.

“Theo. What’s up, man?” West and Theo bumped fists.

“Not much. Listen, if this redheaded chick shows up later, I might have to borrow Sadie.”

“As long as you give her back at the end of the night.” West took a drink from his longneck.

I glared at both of them. “I’m not a library book! You can’t just pass me around.”

West cocked an eyebrow. “No? ’Cause there sure are a lot of guys here checking you out.”

“Did you steal that off one of the dollar bills? That was bad, man.” Theo shook his head.

“It wasn’t that bad. It was funny.”

“It was that bad,” I confirmed. I picked up the stem of one of the maraschino cherries and put the fruit in my mouth, tugging on the stem until it broke free.

West paused in the act of lifting his beer again. “If they weren’t watching before, they sure as hell are now.”

I flushed and took a quick peek around. There were a few guys looking my way.

“We’re up next.” West nodded toward the air hockey table.

“Any stakes?” Theo asked.

“She has to go out with me if I win.” West smiled.

“And if you lose?”

“I won’t lose.”

“You sure?” I appreciated Theo having faith in me at least.

“Yeah. Sadie doesn’t really want to win this one.” West winked, infuriating me.

Oh, hell no. He did not just challenge me like that. “You don’t think I can beat you?”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I’m saying you won’t.”

“Finish your beer, West. I’m taking you down.”

“Oh yeah? Right here?” West’s arm swept across the table, clearing it of peanut shells. “I’m not usually one for exhibitionism, but I’m willing to try anything once.” He patted the picnic table.

“Not here,” I said. “On the air hockey table.”

“I can work with that too. It’s just about the right height, if I took you and laid you back, for me to—”

“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” Theo cut in, hopping to his feet.

I couldn’t look at him as he left. West took one last swallow and set his bottle down. “Ready when you are.”

I picked up my other cherry and looked right at West. I put it into my mouth and pulled it back out, licking off the rum and Coke. Lifting the cherry high, I extended my tongue and sucked the cherry back in, twirling the stem a few times before popping it off. When I finished, I licked my lips. “Sure you’re ready?”

He cursed under his breath and glanced at his lap. “Well, if I wasn’t before, I damn sure am now. Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll be there in a minute.”

Smiling victoriously, I sauntered over to the air hockey table, picking the same side I had played on last time. Sliding the puck across the table, I got a feel for how much resistance there was. I’d bent over to retrieve it when I sensed West lean over behind me, pressing his chest to my back, and letting me feel his hard length against my ass.

“Sure you don’t just want to forfeit?” he whispered against my ear.

I was not going to fall all over his feet like every other girl did. If he wanted me, he was going to have to work for it.

I pushed against him as I stood up. “I’m sure. I got this.”

He stayed plastered to my back. “I have no problem with the woman coming out on top, just so you know.” He squeezed my hip before moving around to the opposite side of the table and gripped the other mallet. “Game on, Sadie.”

I hit the puck with a sharp snap, bouncing it off the side and toward his goal. With a lightning fast flick of his wrist, he slammed it back my direction, straight into my goal. He glanced up from the table, a smirk on his face. “I think I just scored.”

Taking a deep breath, I placed the puck on the table and decided this was serious. My pride was at stake, if nothing else. I narrowed my eyes and sent the puck flying his way.

The score was tied six to six. A big hand settled on the small of my back. Startled, I twisted to the side and heard the distinctive thunk as the puck slid into my goal. Damn it! I glared at Theo and got the puck out of the tray. “Sorry, sweetheart,” Theo said, stepping close. “She showed up a few minutes ago.”

Closing my eyes and praying for patience, I counted to ten. When I opened them, Chelsea was standing next to Theo wearing what might generously be described as a dress. It looked more like a partially buttoned long shirt she forgot to wear pants with. Noticing West eyeing the newcomer, I took the opportunity to power the puck straight down the table, right into his goal. West looked surprised at the noise.