“Yup. All right, I need to take off. But have a good day, okay? And if you do need anything, whoever is on duty at the security gate has my number. I’ll stop by and let them know you’re staying here for a while so you can come and go as you please.”

“Go.” She pointed toward the door. “I’ll be fine. I swear.”

I threw my hands up and stepped back. “All right. All right. I’m gone. But promise… if you need anything…”

“I’m a big girl and can figure it out.” Her tone was slightly petulant. A little bit bossy. A whole lot of funny.

I stuck out my tongue at her like a child and she laughed.

“You look just like your sister when you do that.”

I’d turned and started walking away. Forgot who I was talking to for a second. Because my mouth opened and I blurted out, “Then I bet she looks like one damn sexy man.”

Fuckkkk. No flirting, dipshit.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I… uh… I know. I get the joke.”

“Right,” I muttered.

I needed to get out of here.

Maybe, yeah… no maybe about it. I definitely should have had sex at least at some point over the last three years. I probably wouldn’t be having these reactions at all.

Now I had a sexy woman in my townhome and was acting like a massive idiot.

And why, why now, of all times and with all the women I’d come across, was this the woman my dick finally seemed to notice.

“Not cool,” I muttered.

Alix plopped down on the seat next to me. Kicking his legs out, he wasn’t anywhere close to being dressed for practice. His head fell back, arms crossed over his chest, and he let out a sigh that didn’t say good things.

“You okay?” I turned from where I was bent over, lacing up my skates. “You got home late this morning.”

His eyes were closed, but his lips kicked up into a grin. “Aww. Nice to know you were worried about me.”

“Not worried.” I’d usually call him though, make sure he was all right. Alix liked to party. Nothing wrong with that. He was still in his mid-twenties and had no interest in settling down anytime soon. Still, I liked knowing he wasn’t lost in a ditch somewhere.

“What happened to you? You disappeared as soon as we all hit the floor, and you missed it, man. Bromann can dance. Had the girls eating out of the palm of his hand.”

“Think it’ll help?”

He shrugged, eyes still closed, face tipped up to the ceiling. “I guess we’ll see today, although we might all be too hungover, so maybe tomorrow. Oh, and Joey said Gabby wants to have a party this weekend at their place. You in?”

Joey’s parties were the best. Huge pool, indoor faux skating area we could mess around and practice in. It’d been years since I enjoyed my time at one, though.