One Night Love (Whiskey Run Sugar 1)

He nods, searching my face. He wants to say something. He opens his mouth but then closes it quickly.

I’m about to ask him what he wants to say when someone comes up to him and slaps him on the back. “Hey, Matt! They have a private room in the back. That’s where the party’s at.”

Matt looks up at him, and it’s obviously one of his teammates. He’s built like a football player anyway. “Hey, yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.”

The guy looks between Matt and me before leaning around Matt toward me. He holds out his hand. “Hey, I’m James.”

Matt’s hand that is on mine tightens, so I lift my other hand. “Hi. I’m April.”

James starts to lift my hand to his mouth, and before I can tug it away, Matt stands up, forcing James to step back and drop my hand. He turns to his friend. “Go ahead, James. I’ll be back there in a minute.”

James wants to argue with him. It’s obvious by the crease of his forehead he doesn’t like to be told what to do. But thankfully, he just nods at Matt. “See you around, April.”

I don’t answer him because he’s already walking toward the back.

Matt takes a deep breath as he hovers over me. There’s indecision on his face, and I wait to see what he’s thinking.

“So I have to go say hi at least. Want to go with me?”

“Uh, I don’t think so,” I answer instantly.

“Are you sure? I won’t leave your side,” he says.

But I shake my head.

He looks toward the back and then at me. “Okay, so will you wait for me? Literally, ten minutes. Probably less.”

I go to stand up. “I can just go. I don’t want you missing your party...”

He puts his hands on my shoulders. “No, really, I just need to make an appearance. In and out.” He pushes a piece of hair away from my face and tucks it behind my ear. “Plus, I want to spend some time with you.”

My body shudders because he’s saying exactly what I’m feeling. I want to spend some time with him too. “Are you sure?” I ask him.

He leans in, and I think he’s going to kiss me again. The first one was unexpected, but damn, it was good. When his lips press to my forehead, I sigh because I may have wanted his lips on mine, but this is just sweet. How can he look like he does and be gentle and sweet? I ignore the pounding of my heart in my chest. “I’ll be right here.”

He watches me as I sit down, and when he makes no move to go, I can’t help but laugh. I’ve never felt a pull of attraction like this. “The sooner you go, the sooner you can get back,” I tell him.

That seems to wake him up. “Right. Right. I’ll be right back. Don’t move,” he says, and only when I agree does he walk away, practically jogging to the back.

I watch him until I can’t see him anymore and then look around the bar. There are people everywhere, laughing and having a good time. I pick up my phone and see I missed a text from Violet. She was asking if I made it home safe.

I text her back. “Not yet. Can I call you?”

I wait for her to text back. Normally, I’d just call her, but I don’t know if JJ is asleep or what, and I don’t want to wake him up.

I practically jump out of my skin as I’m staring at the phone and it starts to ring. I laugh and put it up to my ear. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Violet says.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just had a question, that’s all.”

“Sheeeew. I was worried for a minute. Sure, what’s up?”

I put my hand to my head. I probably should have thought about this a little more. “So uh, what can you tell me about Matt Adams?”

She’s silent for a second, and I’m beginning to think she didn’t hear me. “You know, the center for Josh’s team.”

She laughs at that, and I mean loud. I have to pull my phone away from my ear. “Oh, you know football now? That’s hilarious.”

“Har, har. Seriously, what do you know about him?”

“Well, Josh likes him. He seems like a good guy. Always real polite to me. He has a good reputation. Doesn’t party, or at least if he does, it’s not all over the news or anything.”

“Okay,” I say, lost in thought.

“Okay? What does that even mean?” she asks me.

“It means I think I found the one.”

“What? April, that’s so great. I’m so happy for you—" she starts, but I interrupt her when I realize she has the wrong idea. “No, not the one the one. I mean, remember us talking earlier today and me telling you that I just needed a one-night stand? Well, he’s perfect. He’s leaving this week. He’s a good guy. And I mean, damn, he’s hot.”