26. Drew

CHAPTER 26

DREW

"We're going out after the game. There's a big celebration at Hand Wing Brewery. I think we should do it now."

"But you said it would probably be later in the season." Hearing Mac's higher pitch through the phone had Drew slightly worried he would pull out of their plan.

"I know, but opportunity strikes, and we need to take it while it's hot." Drew shuffled toward the back of the med room, away from the rest of the staff. Everyone was excited to party following the big win; nobody was paying attention to him. "Your overnight manager is on, so you don't have any excuse not to join us."

"True…"

"Look, let's just see how it goes. If the timing doesn't feel right, we'll nix it for now."

"Okay. That seems valid, but I can't get there for another hour at least. The diner is packed with fans at the moment."

"That's fine. Lee's in the shower and then he'll be in the conference room."

"He's being interviewed?"

"Yeah." Drew smiled. "Two interceptions. Can you believe it?"

"Our sexy man." Mac's slow drawl had Drew's gut tightening and his dick twitching. "We've still got the game on, so I'll keep an eye out for the interview. I'll text you when I leave here. Thank fuck, I'll be going opposite stadium traffic. And, hey, if there's a list, make sure my name's on it."

"Will do. See you soon."

"Later."

Drew hung up and pressed his phone to his chest. His heart raced with eager anticipation. If everything went according to plan, he'd have his best friend and a pro athlete in his bed before the sun rose on a new day.

Drew paced outside the brewery. They'd only been there about twenty minutes, and already he'd seen Lee do two celebratory shots. On an empty stomach. Meanwhile, Drew hadn't been able to stomach the thought of food or alcohol. His nerves were jacked, and he fucking hoped Max showed soon.

An Uber pulled up to the curb, the back door popped open, and Mac got out. He thanked the driver before shutting the door, and then he looked around for Drew, who was already walking over.

"Waiting long?"

Drew shrugged. "I couldn't sit inside. Too antsy."

Mac looked through the brewery's windows. "He's inside?"

"Yeah."

Mac gripped Drew's forearm. "You're sure this is the best time?"

"I think…" Drew took a breath, firming his conviction. "Yeah. I do." He covered Mac's hand where it lay on his arm, lifted it, and threaded their fingers together. "Let's go get our guy."

Drew pushed through the crowd toward the back room, where a couple of beefy security guys stood guard beside a brewery employee holding a clipboard. "This is Mac Connor. He's a guest of Lee Matters."

She looked them up and down, eyes widening on their twined hands, then clicked her pen. "Yours, too, huh, Drew?" She rolled her eyes. "Go on in."

The guards let them pass, and they eased through the mass of football players and staff taking up the entire room. A rousing cheer for Lee pointed them in the direction of where to find him.

As they cleared the final line of players, Lee shouted, "There they are!" When everyone around Lee turned to stare at Drew and Mac, he felt Mac try to pull back, but Drew tightened his grip and dragged him closer.

Lee slipped off the stool he'd been sitting on and wobbled. Drew frowned. How much had Lee had to drink already? Maybe they should bail on the plan…

"I'm so happy you're here." Lee grabbed Drew's shirt and jerked him into a fierce hug. When he leaned back, however, Lee didn't let him go. Instead, Lee clamped his hands on the sides of Drew's neck and kissed him.

Lee tasted like tequila and lime, but the press of his mouth to Drew's was solid and sure. When Lee's tongue teased at his lips, he parted them, deepening the kiss to the sound of cheers and catcalls. Slowly, Lee drew away, licking his lips, smiling slyly, a glint in his eyes before they alighted on Mac.

"Your turn," Lee said as he reached for Mac, pulling him in and kissing him. Holy fuck, that was hot. A glance southward showed Drew how turned on Mac was. Was this seriously going to work without them having to convince Lee… after he'd been adamant that nothing could happen between the three of them?

Or was the alcohol doing the talking?

"Didn't think you had it in you, Matty!" Yowie shouted. "Hoo-rah!"

The room exploded with the team cheer, deafening Drew. He saw Lee turn Mac's head and say something into his ear. Drew couldn't hear what it was over the noise, but he didn't miss the way Mac's eyes widened.

Mac tugged on Drew's hand, hauling him closer and grabbing his shoulder before sliding his hands in to cup his neck. With a little urging on Mac's part, Drew realized what he wanted. A kiss between them. Was that what Lee had said? That they should kiss, too? Since it was what Drew had wanted from the minute he'd realized how hard he'd fallen in love with his best friend, he didn't hesitate.

He tenderly took Mac's face between his hands as he leaned in. Mac's hold changed to grasp Drew's waist as his lips parted. When Drew touched Mac's mouth with the side of his thumb, Mac pursed his lips, kissing the digit and then taking it between his teeth and gently biting down.

Oh fuck. Drew felt that bite in his groin. He groaned, extracting his thumb as he closed the last bit of distance between them. Cherry soda and the faintest taste of alcohol danced across Drew's tongue as he closed his eyes, sinking into the softest kiss he'd ever experienced. Their mouths touched and touched again… all sounds faded as he focused on never forgetting this moment.

The kiss deepened, Mac's lips opening to let their tongues meet, and more of that wonderful flavor exploded his senses. He'd never thought cherry soda—Mac's favorite next to coffee—would be erotic, but it so was.

Every time Mac slowly pulled away, Drew kept him in place. He wasn't sure how long they'd been ignoring everything around them, until he got jostled and someone muttered, "Sorry."

He let Mac go, blinking and grinning as he stared at Mac's flushed cheeks and equally dazed expression. Again, Drew slid his thumb across Mac's now swollen lips. "That was amazing. So much better than… well, you know."

"Yeah," Mac said, nodding. "This time… with Lee…" He turned toward Lee and froze, the smile he'd had falling into a frown.

Worried, Drew also turned toward Lee, however, the stool he'd been sitting in wasn't empty, but it wasn't Lee, either. Yowie's mouth was set in a firm line, nearly a frown. "Where's Lee?"

Yowie rubbed his face and then stared at them. "He left. He… uh… saw you and said, ‘I was right. They're better off together.'"

"What…? I don't understand. He left?"

"I'm sorry," Yowie said, "I tried to get him to stay. If it's any consolation, I think he was happy for you, and I don't think he liked his decision."

"That makes no fucking sense," Drew exploded. "Ow. What the fuck, Mac?"

"You said this was the right time! Why the hell did I listen to you?" Thunderous, Mac spun and took a step, but Drew caught his arm.

"Don't walk away. Please," Drew implored. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this wasn't the right time, but are you going to ignore the fact that he kissed both of us? Tell me you didn't feel his desire in that kiss. Tell me you felt nothing when we kissed, and I'll walk away." Drew slammed a hand to his chest because his heart felt like it threatened to break through his ribs. "Tell me—" Fuck, he couldn't even talk around the lump lodged in his throat. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." He turned his back on Mac and rubbed the forming tears from his eyes.

Mac's arms came around, and Drew was hugged from behind. He held Mac's forearms, pressing them tight to his chest as he attempted to get his emotions under control.

"I'm sorry," Mac said, his mouth right beside Drew's ear, his breath hot and voice ragged. "You're right. Look, let's get out of here. I can't even hear myself think, and everyone keeps looking at us with pity."

Drew glanced around and watched as the players and their guests quickly looked away from their train wreck. All except Yowie and Jakes. Yowie placed a hand on both of them. "Give him a day. I'll talk to him tomorrow at practice." He looked first at Mac and then at Drew. "I'm rooting for you three, okay?"

Drew nodded, appreciative and a little calmer knowing they had other people on their side.

Jakes stuck his head over Yowie's shoulder, a smirk tilting his lips. "Betcha he's regretting walking away."

Yowie laughed as he patted Jakes' cheek. "Probably. Hey, kid, you did great. Let me buy you a drink." As they headed for the bar, Yowie pulled Jakes down into a headlock and gave him a noogie.

"I could use a drink," Mac muttered, dragging Drew out of the mayhem. "Since I know there's no alcohol at your place, let's go to mine."

Drew agreed, linking their hands together as they left the brewery. He hoped they could fix this… mess; he hoped he hadn't screwed up everything with Lee. And he really, really hoped he hadn't torpedoed his friendship with Mac.