4. Dj

CHAPTER 4

DJ

Later in the week, I take Jason out for burgers, trying to get him back in better spirits. The man has been down ever since the fight two weeks ago, and it pains me to see him this way.

I flash the waitress my trademark smirk as she sets down our waters.

"Thanks. And could we get some extra napkins? Things might get messy later, if you know what I mean." I wink and she giggles, flushing pink.

She walks off with an exaggerated sway in her hips and, tearing my gaze away from her cute ass, I turn back to Jason. His shoulders are slumped, and he's spinning his water glass around and around, staring down at the tablecloth like it holds the secrets to the universe.

I frown at his disgruntled expression. This won't do.

"So I banged these smoking hot Brazilian twins last night. Both had bodies like you wouldn't believe..." I launch into a raunchy rendition of my latest sexcapade, trying to get a smile out of him.

Jason just gives a half-hearted chuckle, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Leaning forward, I tap his hand. "Alright man, out with it. You've been like this all week. What's going on?"

He sighs deeply, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Fuck, DJ...I just can't stop thinking about that fight." His eyes meet mine, swimming with guilt. "I was way out of line. Throwing punches, smashing bottles. I'm supposed to be better than that."

I wince, memories of fists and blood and splintered wood flashing through my mind.

"Hey, you're not the only one who lost control." It was ugly, and Jason definitely wasn't the worst of it. In fact, as far as I remember, Jason only really threw a punch or two before he ended up dazed and on the floor.

"I know, but...I can't help feeling responsible, you know? Like I egged them on, made it worse by being so drunk and letting Mikey get to me." Jason's voice rises, the words tumbling out faster. "I keep replaying it, thinking if I had just shut my mouth or walked away..."

"Jase. Look at me." I clasp his shoulder, forcing him to meet my steady gaze. "You fucked up. We all did. But beating yourself up won't change what happened."

"I know," he mumbles. "I just...how do I make this right?"

"Well, you've already apologized to Coach and the team—now show them you're owning your shit. Put in the work to be better." I squeeze his shoulder. "You're a good dude. Learn from this and keep moving forward."

Jason nods slowly, some of the tension easing from his posture. "Thanks, man. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime brother. I've always got your back." I raise my water. "Now, let's enjoy ourselves. Doctor's orders!"

He snorts a laugh, clinking his water glass to mine. I'm relieved to see that the shadows have lifted from his eyes. As for me, I shake off the heavy moment and let my signature smirk slide back into place.

I lean back in my chair, grinning at Jason across the table. "So, speaking of doctors…what do you think of the new counselor they brought in? Sydney?"

I picture the way she blushed when I asked her to coffee and my grin deepens. There's something about her…

Jason catches my expression and shoots me a warning look. "Careful, DJ. You don't want to get yourself in trouble by mixing work and sex. Besides, what about the Brazilians?"

"Hey, a man's got needs," I say with a shrug, just as our burgers arrive. I take a huge bite, savoring the juicy meat. "Mmm. Damn, they make a good burger here. Almost as tasty as Sydney looked in that little sundress today. Did you see the way?—"

"Dude, seriously," Jason cuts me off. "She's my counselor, I can't think of her that way. Drop it. Let's talk about something else. Like how Coach is trying to kill us with these extra practices." He rubs his shoulder with a wince.

I nod in commiseration as I chew. "I know, right? I'm so sore, I can barely lift my arms. Oh, speaking of..." I lean forward excitedly. "I think I finally perfected my post-game recovery smoothie. The secret is a dash of cayenne."

As I expected, Jason perks up at this—the man loves a recipe—but as he discusses the pros and cons of various protein powders I find my mind wandering.

Sydney's warm smile, her quick wit, the way her dress hugged her lush curves...

Fuck, I can't help but imagine ripping it off her, kissing every inch of her soft skin. What do her moans sound like? Is she an aggressive lover, or does she like other people to take the lead?

I shake my head, trying to clear the mental images. I know Jason's right, I shouldn't go there.

Or should I?

The city lights blur past my windshield as I guide my Lexus through the late-night streets, antsy. Dinner with Jason was great as always, but I'm still amped up, craving more excitement before calling it a night. At a red light, I punch out a few texts to my favorite club buddies, seeing who's down to get a little wild.

My phone buzzes with replies almost immediately—looks like Marcos and Shay are out at The Gilded Lily. Perfect .

I hang a sharp left, tires screeching, and gun it towards the West Loop, adrenaline already surging in my veins.

After parking I stride past the velvet rope line snaking around the block and flash a grin at the bouncer. He unhooks the rope without hesitation, ushering me inside. The pulsing beats and flashing lights envelop me as I swagger over to the bar.

Shay spots me first, their neon skintight dress leaving little to the imagination as they grind up against me.

"Hey sexy, about time you showed up," they purr in my ear, their lips grazing my neck. I slip my hands around their tiny waist and pull them close.

"You know I couldn't stay away," I whisper, relishing the heat of their body.

"DJ!" Mateo, the bartender, calls out with a grin. "The usual?"

I flash him a smile and lean across the bar to accept the shot of whiskey he slides my way. "You know it." I give Shay a final squeeze before downing the drink and turning to chest-bump another of our friends, Eli. "Sup man, how's life?"

"Can't complain," Eli shrugs with a smirk. "Especially now that you're here to spice things up."

I laugh, signaling Mateo for another round of shots. "Let's get this party started then, shall we?"

Suddenly, fingertips trail suggestively down my spine and I catch a whiff of perfume. I'd know that intoxicating scent anywhere. Lila.

I spin to face her, drinking in the sight of her dangerous curves poured into a slinky silver dress.

"Hey there, hot stuff," Lila murmurs, a mischievous look in her eyes. "Fancy a dance?" She presses her body against mine.

Pounding back my shot, I allow her to drag me into the pulsing crowd, my blood already on fire.

The bass reverberates through my body as Lila and I move together on the crowded dance floor, our bodies slick with sweat.

My head is pleasantly fuzzy from the two shots I did back-to-back, but as Lila grinds against me, I gaze out across the gyrating mass of bodies and suddenly get an odd flicker of dissatisfaction.

The song ends and I lean in, my lips grazing Lila's ear. "Another round?"

She grins wickedly. "Thought you'd never ask."

We weave through the gyrating bodies to the bar, where I flag Mateo down. "Two more, my good man." I turn to Lila, admiring how her dress barely covers her. She looks good tonight. Hell, she always looks good.

But as we wait for our drinks, another wave of melancholy washes over me.

Must be the alcohol making me all introspective and shit.

I lean in close to Lila again, having to shout over the thumping music. "You ever feel like something's missing? Like you're just going through the motions?"

She cocks an eyebrow at me. "Since when did you get so deep, DJ?"

I shrug, staring out at the crowd again. "I don't know...maybe I need to slow my roll."

Lila throws her head back and laughs, the sound barely audible over the din.

She leans in, her lips curling into a smirk. "Careful there, stud. You're starting to sound like you wanna be tied down. Whatever would your adoring fans think?"

I can't help but laugh along with her. Me? Tied down? She always knows just what to say to snap me out of my funks.

Our drinks arrive and we clink glasses. "To living in the moment," Lila toasts with a wink.

"I'll drink to that." The liquor burns pleasantly down my throat.

Lila sets down her empty glass and grabs my hand. "Now, enough of this heart-to-heart bullshit. We've got some dancing to do." She pulls me back to the floor as a new song starts up, the beat already melting away my strange mood.

The music throbs through my body as I spin Lila around, her curves brushing against me suggestively. But then I catch a glimpse of familiar dark hair and smoky eyes in the crowd, long limbs moving sensually to the rhythm of the music.

My heart jumps into my throat. Sydney .

Without even thinking, I extricate myself from Lila's embrace, plastering on my most charming grin as I beeline towards her.

The alcohol has me bold and reckless.

"Well, fancy meeting you here," I drawl, my words only slightly slurred. "Care to dance with me?"

But as I get closer, I squint my eyes and a vague realization swims through the booze: this woman isn't Sydney at all.

It's her twin—Selena. Coach Emma's friend. Whoops .

"DJ Johnston." Selena arches one perfectly sculpted brow, red lips quirking. "I've heard a lot about you."

"All good things, I hope," I quip back, attempting to cover my initial blunder.

I eye Sydney's twin with curiosity, wondering how I realized my mistake so quickly. They really are identical—the resemblance is uncanny—but for some reason I can't picture Sydney wearing something this…fussy. Selena looks like she just stepped off a runway, all curves and glamor.

"Sounds like Sydney's been talking about me, huh?" I continue. "I'm intrigued."

Selena flicks her perfectly manicured hand, feigning nonchalance. The diamond studs on her nails glint in the club lights. "A lady never tells," she shoots back playfully.

"Pity." I click my tongue in mock disapproval. "And here I was hoping to get the scoop. Guess I'll just have to use my imagination about what Sydney's been saying..."

I'm hoping Selena will relent—god, I would kill to know what Sydney's been saying about me—but she just crosses her arms and gives me a long, unreadable look.

"You do that." Selena smirks, leaning in close enough that I catch a hint of her perfume. "But I'd guess your imagination is already running wild enough as it is."

Before I can retort, she turns on her stiletto heel and saunters away, hips swaying. I watch her go, wishing it were the other twin that I was watching.

I frown. Why? What is it about Sydney that has me so intrigued? Is it just because she's off-limits?

My frown deepens. I'm never one to conform to society's rule, but even I know when to draw the line. Getting involved with Sydney could jeopardize not only my career but the whole team.

We need her to get us through this mess.

The thought sobers me. The team always comes first.

Pulling myself together, I head back to where Lila is still swaying on the dance floor, watching me with a lifted eyebrow.

"Friend of yours?" she asks, half-laughing.

But I just absentmindedly wrap my arms around her, letting the music wash over me again.

Hoping the music and the dancing will melt away the thoughts of Sydney that still dance through my head.

If only it was that simple…