I guess. At least not most of the time.” I smile when he misses his next shot. He leans against the bar-height table next to the table where our beers are sitting, folds his arms across his chest and quirks an eyebrow.
“Are you jealous?”
I roll my eyes. No; definitely not.
Maybe, a little?
Fine, I kind of am. But I’m not about to admit it.
“Hardly,” I answer.
“Too bad. I think you’d look even cuter if you were jealous.”
I place a hand on my hip and smile cheekily. “Zack Walters, are you flirting with me?” He steps closer to me so we’re almost touching and looks down at me. His smile lowers and his eyes darken just a bit. “It’s about time you figured it out.”
I stand there for who knows how long while he lifts one corner of his lips into a small, seductive, hungry grin. My body instantly warms up at the thought of him touching me; putting his hand on my hip and pulling me towards him. I don’t even know where the thought comes from but before I can think of a reasonable response that won’t leave me stuttering like a twelve year old little girl, he clears his throat, breaking whatever spell I was just under. He takes a step back and I instantly miss the closeness.
“In the beginning, it was awesome – overwhelming - but still incredible. I’m not going to lie and say the press has always been wrong. The attention at first was insane. I couldn’t leave my apartment or my mom’s house without a swarm of photographers or fans standing outside screaming for me. And, well, I’m a guy, so a lot of it was tempting.” His cheeks flush at the memory. I briefly begin to wonder what, or who, he’s remembering, but stop the train of thought before it can fully take over.
“But that can only be fun for so long, I outgrew it quickly. Faster than most, I would guess. I’m pretty much left alone now except for the occasional shot of me out shopping or to lunch. But I knew it could be like this once my first album went platinum, and I can’t hide from all of it and still do what I love. Plus, there are some benefits.”
“Like what? What’s your favorite part?”
“Private jets, never having to wait in line to go anywhere, and expensive sports cars are pretty awesome. Being able to take care of my mom and sister is definitely at the top. I love being on stage. It’s the greatest thrill, ever. I absolutely love the adrenaline rush I get when I’m up there and the fans are screaming to the music. I’m living out a dream I’ve had since I was a kid and I want to ride the wave as long as I can.” He pauses. “But the best is getting to make new friends in bars in the heart of the Midwest.”
I smile when he looks at me. He walks over to me again and stands so close our feet are practically touching. I have to lean my head back to look into his eyes. A small gasp escapes my lips when he lifts his hand and gently pushes a piece of my hair behind my ear and cups my jaw with his hand.
“By far, meeting you is one of the best things that has happened to me in a long time.”
I have no words. I am thankful it’s dark so he can’t see my cheeks turn a deep crimson shade. My entire face feels like it’s on fire. We stand there in silence for who knows how long and I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. I don’t know if I’m ready yet, so I take a small step away, turn around and take another shot.
I sink the eight ball in a side pocket.
“Game over.” I look over to him with a smug grin.
“How’d you do that?”
I had run the rest of the table while he’d been talking.
I take a sip of my beer, my eyes never leaving his. “Told you I’d warm up.”
I win the next game too. By a landslide. “Did you hustle me!?”
I can’t contain my laugh. “Mia had a pool table in her house that we played every day growing up. We were a pretty unsuspecting force when we were together. It also earned a lot of free drinks while we were in college.” I put my hand out, palm up and wiggle my fingers asking for