say that some of the people in Tulip had clearly gotten in my head.
Luckily for me, carrying two pitchers of beer plus my own tall glass required all of my concentration, so I didn’t have time or brain space to waste on things I couldn’t control.
“Okay, boys, beer. As promised.”
“I like her already.” Nate relieved me of one of the pitchers and his brother Jase grabbed the other. “Thanks, Stevie.”
“No problem.” I took the seat at the end of a long table, across from Scott and next to his friend Derek. “So, who wants to fill me in on the whole Hometown Heroes thing?”
Silence descended and then all six guys started talking at once. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell her.”
“Basically, it means we’re sex symbols.” That came from Will, a handsome paramedic with gorgeous gray eyes.
Nate elbowed Will in the side. “It’s a calendar. For charity, to help rebuild Tulip’s Tribute without Preston’s mom getting her rich hands all over it.” I didn’t know what most of that meant, so I just nodded.
“Okay. And you’re heroes because of your jobs, or for stepping up to be naked for charity?”
Scott spat his beer out, spraying everyone at the table. “What the hell, Stevie? We’re not naked!”
I shrugged. “Too bad, because that’s a calendar I would pay good money for. I mean, you guys are handsome, but tell me you’re at least shirtless?” I looked around at each of them, easily picking out who was brave enough, or would easily gave in to the photographer. “Interesting.”
Jase frowned. “No one said anything. What’s so interesting?”
“How many of you agreed to take your shirts off for a good cause. It’s admirable. Really, it is.” I tried to hold in the smirk, but they were all shifting in their seats and looking wildly uncomfortable, and I couldn’t help messing with them. I raised my glass in the air. “To charity and the do-gooders that make the rest of us look bad.”
“Cheers!” They were loud and boisterous, and these men didn’t mind having a good time. The drinks flowed along with conversation and I got to know a little about each of the men. They were all flirts, even the ones who couldn’t stop talking about the women who owned their hearts. They loved to give each other crap and—it seemed to me, anyway—they had each other’s backs.
It was so damn sweet it almost gave me a toothache. But it was also kind of awesome and comforting, too. “What are you thinking about, I wonder?” Nate’s red brows arched in curiosity as several men left the table when a group of women walked in.
“Nothing in particular. How nice it must be to work and hang around with your best friends.”
He grunted. “It’s nice, but don’t let tonight fool you. We meddle, we push and we fight like hell. Most of the time we want to kill each other, but somehow, it all works out okay in the end.”
That was a nice sentiment, one I wasn’t all that familiar with. “I’ll have to take your word for it.” I nodded over his shoulder to one of the dark-haired women from the community center bathroom. “There’s a beautiful brunette trying to get your attention.”
A smile lit up his face, turning him from gruff to gorgeous in a flash. “That’s Mikki.”
“Well, don’t keep her waiting.” To his credit, Nate hesitated for a second about leaving me alone before he pushed away from the table and took long strides towards his woman. I watched, like the outsider I was, as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her like they were alone. Like no one else was watching.
Then again, no one else was, because they were all busy with friends and loved ones. Everyone but me, anyway. So, I did what any sad sack did when surrounded by throngs of happy, coupled up people. “Buddy, another shot and a beer, please.”
“Make it two and put it on my tab.” I knew that voice better than any but my own, at this point.
“No need. I can pay for my own drinks, but you can stay if you want.” No point in letting the boss think he could push me around when I was off the clock.
“Of course you can, but the offer was real. A welcome-to-Tulip shot and beer.” He flashed his handsome, boyish grin, one I was sure made him irresistible to both young and old ladies alike. Even this lady, a little.