Attached to You (Carolina Rebels 4)

“You pick up guys in bars, openly admit that you have multiple fuck buddies, and you wonder why you can’t find a guy that won’t feel like settling?”

Her frown deepens. “Are you calling me a slut?”

What little bit of a smile I had fades quickly. “No, Deanna. I’m saying that if you want a good man, the likelihood of finding him in a bar and you keeping him while you’re sleeping with more than one guy is slim. There’s nothing wrong with your standard; it’s your method.”

Deanna sighs. “I guess you have a point.” She lies back down.

“Why do you sleep around if you want a relationship?”

“Because I’m at odds with it. I want it, but I don’t.” Her hand slides down my stomach and down to wrap around my cock. “Enough talking.”

I’m definitely okay with that, especially as she places open-mouthed kisses on my chest and begins to head south.

Friday, I get a text from Deanna. I haven’t seen her in a few days. I’m at the arena because there’s a game tonight, but her text surprises me.

Deanna: So, do you want to spend Halloween with me? My employee/best friend bailed and we hand out candy at work. You’d have to dress up. If not, no worries. I’ll get someone to work in her place instead, but thought I’d ask.

Is she asking me out? That’s basically a date for my no-strings-attached karaoke girl. My instinct is to say no, but these past few days without her have not been fun. I’m still thinking about her too damn much. I thought about her less when I was fucking her regularly.

Me: Make it worth my while?

Deanna: Don’t I always?

I toss my phone into my locker. Shit, now I’m in a dilemma. How can I be with Deanna on Halloween and not attend my yearly Halloween party? I can’t cancel; too many of the guys look forward to it. I know Ian, in particular, is. His son, Andrew, was born just a couple of weeks ago right before the season started; my Halloween party is his and Sydney’s first night out together since he was born.

“What’s wrong?” EJ asks as he takes a seat next to me.

“Ah, would it be a big deal if I don’t come to my own party?”

His eyes widen. “Why wouldn’t you be there?”

“I have other plans.”

EJ grins. “Are you still seeing karaoke girl?”

“How big of a deal is it going to be?” I ask, ignoring his question.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe get Rams or Marco to keep an eye on things and take over as hosts.”

That’s a good idea. I thank him before getting up to find those two knuckleheads. Noah isn’t too bad, but Marc likes to push my buttons. He likes to push everyone’s buttons; I’m not special. I find them sitting on a leather couch, talking.

“What’s up, Captain Hooker?” Marco asks, and I glare at him.

“I need a favor.”

That makes both of them sit up straighter. For a moment, I feel awkward and wish I was closer to my teammates than I am.

“What do you need?” Noah asks.

“I’m not going to be at the Halloween party.”

“But it’s your party,” Marc points out.

“No shit. You two want to play host and make sure nothing gets out of hand?”

“Why aren’t you going to be there?” Marc asks. “Is there a girl? Is it karaoke girl? Why don’t you bring her?”

I firmly ignore him and focus on Noah. “Will you?”