The Friend Zone (Game On 2)

“Crazy-ass motherfuckers,” Diaz mutters, though he looks amused.

Yeah,” Johnson says. “Cheerio decided to have a party. You know, introduce us newbies to the team. It’s all cool until the end.”

“Some things cannot be unseen, man.” Dex shoves his fries toward Thompson as if he’s lost his appetite.

“Anyway.” Johnson gives Dex a pointed look of annoyance. “As I was saying, Cheerio—”

“Who we used to call Marcus,” Drew adds, his lips twitching. “Until that night.”

“Marcus,” Johnson stresses, “goes to the kitchen, grabs a box of cereal and a jug of milk and brings it back to the living room.” Johnson starts to snicker, glee making his face turn red as he continues his story. “We think nothing of it. The fucker is hungry, and so what? Until he drops his pants.”

“What?” Anna’s red brows rise high. “Why?”

They’re all choking on their laughter now.

“Dude grabs hold of his nut sack, stretches it out and fucking pours milk and cereal into it.”

The guys roar with laughter, the deep sound of it bubbling over the room.

“Wha—?” Anna, horrified, glances at me and then back at Johnson who is laughing so hard, he’s crying. “Why would he do that? I don’t even understand how he could accomplish it. What do you mean ‘into it’?”

“Like he made a little bowl out of his sack.” Johnson seems to think this makes everything clear.

“He must have had an enormous ball sack,” I mutter.

Which only makes the guys lose it entirely. Gray slaps a hand against the table as he doubles over.

Anna turns to me. “Can you even?”

“I can’t. I really can’t.”

Drew coughs back a laugh. “Which is why he will be forever known as Cheerio.”

I’m never looking at cereal the same way again. But I can’t help laughing too. Even if it’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard. So I don’t see them coming, though I should have expected it. One second, we’re all still chuckling, the next a swarm of girls descends on the table. I try to be charitable about my impression of them, but it isn’t working. Not when they nudge both me and Anna out of the way and drape themselves over every male at the table.

Two of them head for Gray. They sit on his lap, wrapping their arms around him. I find it hard to breathe, my skin suddenly hot and uncomfortably tight over my bones.

“Hey there, sexy,” Thing One says.

“We’ve missed seeing you around,” Thing Two adds, running her fingers through his hair.

Okay, I need to calm down. I glance at Anna, who looks ready to flip the table. Drew pulls a girl off him and sets her away. “I’m taken,” he tells the girl. “Very.”

She pouts but saunters off to join her friend on Diaz’s lap. Drew pulls Anna close, murmuring something in her ear that makes her smile and rest her head on his shoulder. Envy hits me, not of their love, but of Anna’s smile and obvious relief.

Across from me, Gray catches my eye, and I struggle to give him an amused look. As if I don’t care. I shouldn’t; I know this is part of his life, of who he is, and I need to see it, not live in denial. But maybe I fail at my charade because Gray winces, clearly embarrassed. And he edges back from their stroking hands.

“Ladies.” He forces a smile. “We’re kind of in the middle of a conversation.”

Everyone at the table seems to freeze for a millisecond, as if Gray’s statement has sent a shockwave over them. Then it’s back to the guys groping the women and looking far from interested in continuing any conversations.

As for his new friends, I have to give them credit; they’ve perfected the art of glaring with absolute disdain. A glare that’s focused on me. Both of them quickly turn their attention back to Gray.

“But me and Angie have a bet,” says the girl with a tramp stamp peeking out from her low-rise jeans. “We want to see which one of us you make come first.”

“Mmm,” Angie coos, pressing her breasts against Gray’s arm. “You were so good at getting me off. Alyssa wants a try. And I know you’d be game.”

And I’m done.

Beneath the table, a slim hand wraps around mine. I glance at Anna, both surprised and warmly comforted by her silent support. She gives my hand a squeeze but doesn’t look my way. Instead, she stands.

“Drew and I are headed out.”

Drew immediately rises, pulling out his wallet and tossing a few bills on the table.

Anna turns to me. “You want a ride, Ivy? Or—”

“A ride would be great, thanks.” I force another smile and make to grab my purse.

But Gray stands, upending the girls from his lap. Like cats, however, they manage to land on their feet. He ignores their yelps of protests. His blue gaze is serious and apologetic. “I said I’d take you home.”

That he’s being considerate has a small smile pulling at my lips, despite the growing tightness at the center of my chest. “That’s okay. You don’t need to leave.”

The scrutiny of his friends burns; I know they’re all watching, soaking in this little scene. It’s awkward, and I just want to go.

Angie rubs her hand up and down Gray’s arm. “Let her leave, Gray.” Her sly gaze travels slowly up my body, and her nose wrinkles. “She’s obviously big enough to take care of herself.”

Her friend snorts, making a false show of trying to hide it. “I think she’s part of the team, Ang.”