Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) (11 page)

“Great. This is what I get when you two are sent to the front lines. So, what’s the plan? Are they meeting up with us tomorrow night?”

“You insult me,” Tucker acts as if he’s wounded. “I’m the king of smoothness.”

“Yes, Casanova, you can simmer down. The girls are cool with us and our joking ways so we didn’t scare your mouse off — yet.” Holt gives me a wicked looking smirk, making me want to kick his legs out from under him to wipe it off his face.

“Good. I’m glad you didn’t screw it up.” I chuckle, knowing they wouldn’t really ruin it for me. “Let’s get out of here. I’m definitely ready to grab something to eat. Pizza sound good?”

With nods and grunts all around, we head off toward the lot to our vehicles together.

As I follow the guys out, I smile and think to myself,
one more day until I get to see Charlie again.

F
RIDAY NIGHT HAS FINALLY ARRIVED
, and I’m definitely ready to get it started. I’ve been excited all day about seeing the guys again, especially Nathan. I don’t know how I survived my half-day of work at the reception desk. Luckily, I was able to go swimming and lay out by the pool after I left the office. Sleeping under the sun’s rays was relaxing, and helped to speed up time.

Halley and Naomi showed up for dinner, which consisted of chicken salad sandwiches and fruit. Truthfully, that was all I could stomach, with my nerves being so on end. I didn’t want to eat something heavy, and it was too warm out to cook. So, easy and cool it was.

The night before, the girls and I sat around their living room, eating pizza and frozen yogurt, making plans for tonight. It was decided that they would come over after work, since they both had a full day, to get ready and have dinner. Then we would head over to
Texas Jacks
in one car, in case one of us wanted to hitch a ride home with one of the guys. I’m thinking the girls and Nathan’s friends cooked up this little plan, trying to get Nathan and I together again.

Before long we’re back at
Texas Jacks
, passing through the lot. I don’t see Nate’s truck, which leaves me feeling a bit disappointed. I had hoped he would be here first. Sighing, I keep reminding myself that it’s no big deal; his friends said he would be here, so he will be. I just need to relax and know that he’ll show up at some point. Until then, I’m sure the girls and I can make our own fun while we wait.

Pulling into the lot of
Texas Jacks
, I note that the girls have arrived before us. That’s fine by me; it gives me a chance to find her, instead of her searching for us.

I woke up this morning in a great mood, which in turn made the rest of my day at work turn out well. It also helped the day go faster, knowing that I would see Charlie later. Though, time did slow down over the last few hours before leaving to meet up with the ladies, as my anticipation to see Charlie grew stronger.

The first thing I notice upon entering the doors of
Texas Jacks
is one very absent person — Dave. I have never been here on a night he hasn’t been working the door. Instead, Tim seems to be the man in charge at the moment. It may not seem like a big deal, but for some reason, I want to know where he is. After last week, I got the impression that he was really into Charlie, and tried to stake somewhat of a claim when we were leaving.

“What’s up, man?” I ask Tim with chin lift. “I see you got stuck with the boring job tonight. I guess this means you won’t be inside, scoping out the women.”

The guys and I chuckle, knowing how Tim is, and that being at the front door is the last place he wants to be. He might be able to see the women walk through the door, but that’s as far as it goes for him tonight.

“So, where’s Dave? Does he have the night off or what?” Holt asks.

“I’m only filling in for Dave while he’s on a break. No way am I going to babysit the door the whole night,” Tim replies.

“It’s weird seeing you up here, for once. I bet Dave’s scamming on your action inside,” Tucker laughs.

“Dude, that’s not even funny. I wouldn’t worry about Dave, anyway. He’s inside with three hot chicks. He went on break the minute they walked in. They even waited for him before heading inside, so it’s safe to say my game is all good when it comes to Dave.” Tim says without even realizing that all three of us are staring at him with hard eyes. I bet we’re all thinking the same thing, and hoping it’s not the same three women we’re here to see. Since we already know that Dave is friendly with them, I’m sure I’m right.

“Oh, is he now? And exactly who might they be?” Holt immediately responds, trying to sound as causal and friendly as he can through a forced, lopsided grin. Meanwhile, I see his left hand forming a fist by his side.

“One’s blonde, and the other two are brunettes. What’s it to you? You probably don’t know them, anyway.” Tim raises his eyebrows while looking at Holt, like he knows something’s up.

“No, it’s cool. I’m just curious how Dave got so lucky, is all. I want to know how he’s got so much game, being stuck at the door all the time,” Holt smoothly replies.

“What do you say, gentlemen? I think we should drop in on Dave, and see if he’s willing to share.” Tucker says, although he’s not looking happy, either.

“Sounds good to me,” Holt replies, looking through Tim and over to me, nodding his head before pushing through the last set of doors to the inside of the club.

Tonight, Dave decided to take a break when we came through the doors, which he never does. Normally, he just stops by at some point in the evening to check on us, and then at the end of the night, he walks us out. I think he has a bit of a crush on Naomi, though sometimes I think he may even like me, too. I can’t tell. He’s definitely not obvious about it.

“So, Dave, what’s shaking with you lately? Any new babes you have on your hook?” Halley playfully nudges Dave, who happens to be standing between her and I at the table we’re sitting at.

Dave looks over at Naomi, then shyly at me before responding, “No. However, there is one person I’m interested in. I’m just not sure she knows it yet.”

“Maybe she doesn’t have a clue. What have you done to let her know you’re even interested in her?” Halley asks him.

This is not my area of expertise, so I keep quiet and let the girls hold up our end of the conversation.

“Dave, you just have to be bold and flat out ask her to go on a date with you. Is she a regular here?” Naomi asks.

“Yes. I see her from time to time with her friends,” he says, looking over at me, and then back to the girls.

Okay, why did he just look at me?
“Sorry, Dave. I’m not good with this stuff, so you won’t be getting any advice from me.” I reply with a nervous laugh as he simply gives me a small smile.

“She’s not joking, either. She’s definitely not good at reading the signs. You’re barking up the wrong tree there.” Naomi laughs, causing me to shoot her a
thanks a lot
look, even if it is true.

“Well, I think we need to help this poor guy out, don’t you, ladies?” Halley asks.

“No, it’s okay. I’m sure I can manage to ask a woman out on my own. Thanks, though.” Dave tries to stop this train wreck of an idea from completely forming in their minds.

“Dave, seriously, we can help you score a date. Just point her out the next time she’s here, and—”

Quickly cutting her off, he says, “No, really, I’m good. I’m just slower at this kind of thing than most guys. Especially the guys you ladies were hanging with last week. Speaking of which, what’s the deal with them? I didn’t realize you all knew each other.”

Wait, doesn’t he like Naomi? That’s the impression I get. If so, then what’s his deal? He’s known her a long time, and has had plenty of chances to ask her out.

“We just met last week, actually.” Halley says, bringing my attention back to the conversation. “I’ve seen them in here before, but we’ve never talked. It wasn’t until Nate made a play for Charlie that we even met,” Halley replies with a mischievous little grin on her face.

What the heck was that for?
I give her a questioning look and she just smiles brighter, shaking her head at me like I’m clueless.

“
Woman
!” We hear as we look over towards Halley, seeing the guys bearing down on us.