wall of full-length windows. In the center of the room is a curved, black leather couch that faces the largest television I have ever seen. Football players on this television will probably look life-sized.
“This is my favorite room in the house.” He says to me as he drags me to the pool table. I laugh when I remember he still hasn’t paid up from when I beat him in Chicago. I decide to let it slide. At least for now.
“I can see why.” It’s completely like Zack in here with its laid back furniture and darker colors than the rest of the house. It’s comfortable, and has a masculine presence. I can only imagine the nights spent in here with Chase, Jake and Garrett, screwing around, drinking some beer and playing pool. I smile just thinking about it. I miss those guys more than I thought I would.
***
I stop in my tracks when Zack opens the door to his garage, or one of them, when we’re leaving for dinner a few hours later. In front of me is a 2-door black convertible, with the top down. It looks more like a futuristic vehicle I had only seen in movies, or something you would find in the Batcave. “Wow. Is that your car?”
He grins smugly. “Yeah, I just bought it right before the tour started. It’s a Mercedes Roadster. Kind of fun, huh?”
“It’s beautiful.” I am not a car person, but this car is too amazing to not be in awe at the sight of it. I climb into the passenger seat and sink into the softest grey leather I’ve ever felt in my entire life.
Thirty minutes later we pull into what looks like, a dirty old hole in the wall bar. The bricks along the outside of the building are falling off the walls; neon lights flashing in the windows are missing letters. The word ‘PEN’ is completely dark while the sign ‘B-IANS –LACE’ flashes periodically. Where is he taking me?
“Uh…is your car safe here?” I ask when he parks it on the street and hear the beeping of his door lock. “And are we safe?” I glance up and down the street completely unsure of my surroundings. It doesn’t look like a dangerous part of town, but the street is completely void of any traffic. On foot or otherwise.
Zack laughs at me. “She’ll be just fine, and so are we. Brian makes my favorite burgers. And the pool is free, so I thought I could try to earn my money back tonight.”
“Since you never paid up after the first time, I suppose that won’t be too hard.” I bump into his shoulder and take another glance down the street. “And at least this time you won’t have an audience when I embarrass you.”
“Funny. Let’s go eat, pool shark. I’m starving. And there’s still someone I want you to meet.” I raise my eyebrows in a question, but he just lightly kisses my forehead and leads me through the doors.
Brian’s Place, or at least I assume that is what the sign out front was trying to spell, looks as bad on the inside as it does on the outside. There are only about ten tables from what I can see. Black Formica table tops with black chairs and the red vinyl peeling off most of the seat cushions are spread throughout the majority of the bar. Near the back are two pool tables. The bar is empty except for the burly looking bartender who jumps over the bar as soon as we walk in.
“Zack Walters!” He yells as the door shuts behind us. “How you doin’?” The man barrels towards us, crushing Zack into the largest man-hug I have ever witnessed. “Hey Brian.”
When they pull back from their hug, Zack introduces us. “Brian, this is Nicole. Nicole, Brian.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say politely.
“You’re Nicole? Are you the same Nicole he’s been whining about for the last week on the phone?” He lightly punches Zack on the arm. Who is this guy?
“Yeah, this is her.”
Brian takes a step back, looking me up and down. “Now I know what all the fuss is about.” He winks at Zack, but throws his arm around my shoulder pulling me towards the bar. Zack’s expression is filled with amusement, although I don’t know if it’s because some guy is pulling me away or if it’s from the look of shock in my eyes.
“It’s not often Zack here brings women to my place. He must