Slow Play (The Rules 3)

My girl is hot as fuck. I distinctly remember telling her exactly that the night of the Halloween party. I still agree with my early assessment.

Dinner with Gabe and Lucy has gone well so far. I can admit I was a little nervous. We’ve had our moments in the past. Hell, only a couple of weeks ago I was in deep shit with Gabe after insulting Lucy like the asshole that I am. I couldn’t wrap my head around my friends wanting to be with only one girl so I lashed out and said some shitty things. Didn’t help matters that I was drunk.

Being drunk never helps matters, I’m starting to learn.

Lucy and Alexandria get along great—so great they do that girl thing and leave together to go to the restroom.

“Why do they do that?” Gabe asks as he watches them walk across the restaurant toward the ladies room.

“I don’t know.” My gaze is stuck on Alexandria, the way she tucks her hair behind her ear, smiling politely at a group of guys as they walk by. Half of them turn and check her out as well as Lucy and I clutch my hands into fists, ready to chase after them so I can tell them to keep their eyes to themselves. The fuckers.

“Get over yourself,” Gabe mutters, noticing my clenched fists and no doubt the deadly look in my eyes. “They can look, they just can’t touch. If they ever try, that’s when you go and kick their asses.”

I slowly unclench my fists and reach for my water glass, taking a big gulp. I still can hardly believe the way I’m behaving. The last few days Alexandria has been busy with work and school. So have I, though our schedules never seem to coincide. So I spend a lot of time in my room working my way through the entire Sex and the City series.

If the guys found out I’d be dead. But holy shit, that show is good. I’ve learned a lot about women and their views on sex and relationships. Yeah, it’s a little dated but I don’t think women have changed that much. Before I met Alexandria, I didn’t give a shit about women’s views on sex and relationships. Now here I am getting in touch with my feminine side and watching a show women still praise today.

Clearly I’m hanging on to my man card by a thread.

I’ve already figured out who Alexandria is among the girls on the series. She’s a Charlotte. And Charlotte’s my fucking favorite, all prim and proper yet totally wild beneath that calm exterior. I’m neck deep in season five and Charlotte just slept with her lawyer. She was making that guy crazy with lust.

I can totally relate to his problem.

“What’s your deal?” Gabe asks, nudging my elbow and knocking me from my thoughts.

I send him a dirty look. “What do you mean?”

“You and Alexandria. You’re acting…serious, bro. It’s weird.” Gabe shakes his head. “I’m nervous for the future of humanity.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Gabe is the weird one. He’s also a romantic who’s totally gone over his girl. I sort of get it now.

Fucking scary.

“I never thought I’d see the day that you would want to get serious with a girl. You act like you…like her.”

“Yeah, I do like her. But I don’t want to get serious with her,” I mumble, nerves eating at my gut. I don’t think I want to. But then again…I do. I’m conflicted. Imagining a future with Alexandria by my side freaks me out. Imagining a future without her also freaks me out.

Clearly, I’m confused.

“Could’ve fooled me.” He polishes off the last of his beer and pushes his glass away from him. “When was the last time you banged another chick?”

I have to think about it. And that’s unheard of. “Uh…two weeks? Three?” Since Halloween night, the night I met Alexandria. No one else has interested me.

Only her.

“Right.” Gabe nods, his expression amused. “So you’re having sex consistently with one girl. Amazing.”

“Uh. We’ve actually not had sex yet,” I admit, regretting it the moment I see the expression on Gabe’s face.

His eyes look like they’re bugging out of his head. If I weren’t so annoyed, I’d find it downright comical. “Are you fucking serious? Damn it, I wish Shep was here. He needs to hear this.”

“Don’t tell him anything—” I start but Gabe shakes his head, cutting me off.

“I have to tell him. It’s my duty as his friend.”

“You’re an asshole.” I scowl at him but he just starts laughing.

“So are you. Guess we’re equal. You know we’ve been waiting for this moment though truthfully, I never thought I’d see the day. You can’t keep it in your pants. We’ve said this. You’ve said this.” His laughter dies. “This has nothing to do with that bet you made with Shep, does it?”

“How the hell do you know about that bet?” I forgot all about it.

“Shep told me.” He hesitates for a moment before letting it all out. “If that’s the only reason you’re seeing her, then that’s fucked up.”

“The reason I’m seeing Alexandria is none of your goddamn business but just so you know—it has nothing to do with that bet,” I tell him vehemently.

We’re still arguing when the girls return to the table, Lucy tactfully changing the subject and forcing us to quit our bickering. Swear to God, I feel like Gabe and I act like an old married couple sometimes. Shep has said more than once he believes we’re secretly gay for each other.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that but Jesus.

“Do you have Thanksgiving plans, Tristan?” Lucy asks. I’ve noticed she’s like a little mother, wanting to take care of everyone. Even me, though I don’t deserve her kindness, considering what an ass I was to her when she first started coming around.

I shrug, glancing over at Alexandria before I answer. She’s ducking her head, checking her phone real quick. Huh. “The usual. Spending it with the parentals. How about you?”

“I’m going to my mom’s. Gabe’s going with me.” She smiles at him and he slips his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. “We’re going to make him lots of food and fatten him up.” She pats his flat stomach.

“Her mom is the best cook ever,” Gabe agrees.

“How about you, Alex?” Lucy turns her attention to Alexandria. “What are your plans?”

Alexandria lifts her head, her expression guarded. “Um, I have no plans. I’ll probably just end up staying here.”

“Oh, you don’t have family close by?” Lucy frowns, concern written all over her face. I know she doesn’t like the idea of her being alone during the holiday.

I don’t either.

Alexandria shakes her head but says nothing.

Odd. She doesn’t talk about her family ever. Only the brief mention about her mom owning the Sex and the City DVD set. Otherwise, nothing. Rather mysterious—and unusual. Girls love to talk their heads off about everything and nothing. At least the girls I’ve spent minimum time with. Not that I have room to talk.

I don’t share that much about my parents either, mostly because I don’t like them. Or worse, I’m afraid I’ll grow up to be just like them. Maybe she feels the same way.

So I guess that’s not so odd after all.