Crew

If you're worth a million bucks, there's no reason in hell why you shouldn't look like a million bucks. Take me for instance. I'm not dressed to the nines tonight. After I left Nolan and Ellie's apartment, I swung by my place and changed into a thin white sweater. I tugged that on, slipped on some black shoes and I look like a million and a quarter, even though I'm wearing jeans.

Trey Hale, on the other hand, looks like three dollars. He's wearing the same sorry ass suit he was wearing last night, but tonight he's got a smile on his face that could light up the holiday tree in Rockefeller Center.

If I didn't want to wring his neck, I might be inclined to send him to my tailor to get fitted for at least one custom suit. He needs it. He's the face of the most celebrated baseball team in the country and yet, he looks like he slept in the dumpster around the corner.

His smile brightens when the familiar blonde next to him touches his knee.

Adley is obviously interested in what's hidden inside his wrinkled pants. He's got his eyes pinned on her tits.

Lucky me that I get to witness this.

"Your bodyguard just walked in," Hale announces after he manages to unglue his eyes from the front of the tight blue dress she's wearing so he can glance in my direction.

Adley cranes her neck to look at where I'm standing in the entrance of the burger restaurant she brought me to last night. Apparently, I'm not as special as I thought I was.

"What are you doing here?" The corners of her mouth curve up in a smile as I approach. "Didn't you have dinner with Nolan and Bean?"

"Bean?" Hale has the same reaction I did the first time I heard Ad say Ellie's nickname. "Who is that?"

"Our friend," I say without hesitation. "We missed you tonight, Ad."

Her gaze falls to the floor. "Trey invited me to dinner…dinner at Nova."

"Yet, you're here." I survey the almost vacant restaurant. "Did Nova run short of food?"

"Adley suggested this place instead." Trey reaches to grab her hand. "I'm glad she did. The burgers are the best I've ever had."

Her face brightens with the compliment. He's either oblivious to what a real burger should taste like or he's under Adley's spell. I can't blame him. She's gorgeous tonight. Her hair is pinned up. She's wearing a dress I've never seen her in before. She looks like ten million dollars.

"I'm glad we agree on that." She drops Hale's hand and turns toward me in her chair, giving me my first full view of her.

Jesus. I feel that familiar sizzle race down my spine. The desire for her is instant and intense.

"Are you hungry?" she goes on, "I always knew you had a huge appetite, but I had no idea you could eat twice in one night."

I could eat you twice in one night and the craving wouldn't be any less than it is right now.

Hale smirks as if he knows exactly where my thoughts wandered off to. I'm not fucking surprised. He's thought about going down on her. I'd bet my last dollar that he's fantasized about everything he wants to do with her.

"You picking up some take-out, Benton?" He trails his fingers along Adley's back.

My skin crawls at the sight of his hand on her. I have to take a step back before I pull him from the chair and toss him out the door.

"I was actually grabbing some food for Ad," I say it to her, ignoring the fact that his fingers are now circling a path over her exposed shoulder. "I thought she might not be feeling well after last night. I'm glad she recovered."

"She feels great to me." He squeezes her arm and she flinches. "We're going to finish up here and then head out. It was good to see you."

Fuck you too, Hale.

Adley springs to her feet, leaving Hale's hand hanging in mid-air. "You were getting me food because you thought I was hungover?"

"You told me once that the quickest way to cure it is to eat your favorite food," I say it, knowing that she'll remember when she first said those words to me. She was in my bed, fully clothed and on top of the blankets when I was nursing a hangover courtesy of New Year's Eve. She cooked for me. It tasted horrible but I didn't give a shit. I spent the day sleeping in my tuxedo shirt and pants because I was too sick to change. She was there for hours, by my side, making certain that I had everything I needed.

"It's true." She nods to exaggerate the point. "I already ate, but I'm touched that you thought of me."

I never stop.

Coming here for take-out was part of my longshot plan to see her tonight. I sent her a text message when I was in Central Park with Nolan's family. By the time I'd made it back to my place over an hour later, there was still no response.

I decided to make a house call with her favorite burger in hand even though I knew there was a good chance she was on a date. I didn't know that I'd run into her here with Hale drooling all over her.

"I'm going to take off." I hold Adley's gaze. "It was good to see you."

She leans back slightly and looks me over. "Are you all right? Is everything okay?"

I catch both her hands in mine and bring them to my lips. "I was concerned when you didn't make it to dinner at Ellie's. I'm glad you're good, Ad."

Her eyes lock on mine. "You're the best friend I've ever had."

I kiss her knuckles once more before I drop her hands. "I'm always around if you need me."

Her full lips part as if she's going to say something, but there's nothing.

"Enjoy your night, Crew." Hale darts to his feet, his arm wrapping around her waist. "I know we will."
She doesn't acknowledge him at all. Her gaze stays focused on my face. I turn and walk away, wishing like hell I was the one taking her home with me.