Despite Darius’s taunts of bleeding his friends dry by ordering multiple rounds of beer, everyone knew he wasn’t much of a drinker. Besides, he was still light-headed from the postgame kiss Peyton had given him almost an hour earlier. Jackson had bought him one beer. Since then, Darius had been tossing back soft drinks but of different brands. He didn’t want free refills. What fun would that be? His friends had to come out of pocket.
Darius gulped more soda. “I told you not to bet against Noah. He caught Sequoia’s winning touchdown.”
Jackson drank his iced tea. “We saw it.”
Darius gestured to his boss with his glass. “It was in the final seconds of the game.”
“We were there when it happened, Darius.” Ramona, who’d already bought Darius’s and Peyton’s sodas, dipped her celery stick into a bowl of ranch dressing. Spicy buffalo wings, loaded potato skins, and onion rings also crowded the table.
The sports bar’s servers had pushed three tables together to accommodate Darius’s party of ten: Jackson, Audra, Ean, Megan, Alonzo, Doreen, Vaughn, Ramona, Peyton, and him. He’d stuck to Peyton’s side to ensure he, not Vaughn, got the seat next to her. How close had Peyton become with TFU’s good-looking concert band director? She’d accompanied him to the town council meeting. He’d escorted her to the football game. Were they more than friends? Darius scowled. Was the attraction Vaughn’s goatee?
“It was a great game.” Peyton drank the soda Ean had paid for. “Watching those players’ physical abilities was as thrilling as attending the BalletMet.”
Ramona knitted her sculpted eyebrows. “You’d compare a football game to a ballet performance?”
“Yes, I would.” Peyton shrugged her slender shoulders. “Both dancers and athletes are incredible to watch. They have strength, grace, and agility.”
Alonzo swallowed more lemonade. “Good point.”
“I don’t see it.” Ramona shook her head.
“I’m glad you enjoyed the game.” Darius watched Peyton cut into a loaded potato skin appetizer with her knife and fork. Should he tell her that, at a sports bar, silverware was more like table ornaments?
In Peyton’s company, he’d had an even better time than usual at the competition. He’d enjoyed introducing her to high school football. She was a quick study. And her strategic mind and competitive spirit had made her a great companion.
For the next hour, conversation moved on from the game to Thanksgiving, which was only three weeks away; Sequoia High School’s appearance in the upcoming championship game; and the swearing in of the town’s new mayor, Doreen Fever, on New Year’s Day.
During a lull in their discussions, Peyton leaned backward to look down the table. “Vaughn, I hate to interrupt, but could you take me home?”
“No problem.” The concert band director began making movements to leave. “I drove you to the game. I’ll take you home.”
No! Darius fought his panic. Vaughn wasn’t going to take Peyton home. He was.
“I’m ready to leave now. Peyton, I’ll take you home.” He shoved back his seat and stood, pretending not to notice the knowing looks his friends exchanged.
Peyton’s wide eyes were surprised. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Darius offered his hand to help Peyton from her seat. “I’m sure.” He also was sure he wasn’t going to sit there while Vaughn and his goatee drove Peyton home.
CHAPTER 10
Peyton’s seat belt connected with a snick. “I thought you didn’t want your friends playing matchmakers with us.”
“I don’t.” Darius backed out of the sports bar’s parking space, doing his best to ignore the way his heart pounded in reaction to Peyton’s proximity. Her warmth and scent filled the close confines of his nine-year-old black Nissan Maxima.
“Then why are you taking me home?”
Darius’ mind scrambled for a response. “This isn’t a date. I drove you to the bar and now I’m taking you home.”
“I saw the way your friends looked at you when you made the offer.”
So had I. “Ignore them.” Darius made sure the traffic was clear before merging onto the street from the parking lot.
He didn’t need directions to her apartment. When she’d first moved to Trinity Falls, his contacts had told him where the university professor lived.
“I’m not upset.” Peyton shrugged her slender shoulders. “I’m just curious. Are you opposed to matchmaking in general or being set up with me in particular?”
His heart stuttered. Had he offended her? A quick glance in Peyton’s direction found her caramel eyes mocking him. Darius’s muscles went lax.