Finding You

ETHAN

I have no idea what came over me. After watching her, Gianna, walking between our tables and the way the guys were just acting like total animals, it got to me.

Then, when Hunter acted like a total fuckwad, I couldn’t take it. My skin was hot with rage. The look in her beautiful eyes when he ripped her panties off...

Who the fuck does that?! I didn’t even hesitate to go over to her and offer cover—not that she was covered much to begin with, but that was beside the point. When he kept talking to her in such a disgusting way, I’d had enough.

One quick punch, and I knew I had broken his nose. My hand was throbbing, and I could see the blood pouring out of his nose. Served him right, though.

Coach was going to be super pissed. I turned to check on the girl and saw that one of the muscle guys was trying to get her back toward the back room.

I mouthed I’m sorry to her, hoping she realized I was apologizing for these jackasses.

When I turned back around, all the guys were clamoring for Hunter, helping him up and cursing me in the process.

Two other bouncers approached and, of course, asked us if we needed assistance. Such bullshit. I knew because they knew who we were they weren’t going to ask us to leave and would probably blame the trouble on her.

“We’re leaving. I apologize for the commotion,” I offered, looking at my teammates.

“What?! You fucking punched me, prick! I’m staying and getting a lap dance from her after that.” Hunter laughed.

“I’ll fucking punch you again and again if you keep talking. We’re going. You’ve embarrassed the team enough.”

I started grabbing guys by their arms, shoving them all toward the door. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. I threw some cash onto the bar, hoping to cover our tab and asking that any extra be given to Gianna.

“Dude, when did you become the dad of the group?” Briggs asked, patting me on the back, laughing.

He was right. This wasn’t like me. While I never would have stood for him treating a woman like that, I typically was all about a party.

“I’m just tired, and tired of these assholes. Let’s go. You need to go home and sleep this shit off before your woman realizes she’s too good for you,” I teased.

One by one, the limo dropped us at our respective homes or apartments. Home games were nice in that aspect, getting to sleep in my own bed. I unlocked the townhouse door and made my way in, flipping on the light.

I went to remove my suit jacket and realized I wasn’t wearing it. It dawned on me then that the girl still had it, and fuck me, my phone in the pocket, as well.

“Fuck.” I growled, pulling at my hair. Despite the win tonight, the rest of the evening sucked.

I stripped down into sweats and grabbed my laptop. I hopped online and sent off messages to a few of the guys letting them know my phone was MIA.

I knew I’d had too many shots, and I was too tired to fuck with going back for it tonight. I just hoped I could retrieve it tomorrow.

A large part of me hoped I’d see her again tomorrow too. What the fuck had gotten into me? How could a girl I’d only seen for a few moments have such an effect on me?

While online, I looked up the club, curious if there was any information about her. Total creeper move, I know. Coming up with nothing, I shut it down and slid it across the bed.

I lay back, hands behind my head, taking in a deep breath. My hand was aching, so I hopped up to grab some pain reliever and ice it for a bit.

I stood in the kitchen, looking around, thinking about those caramel eyes for a moment before calling it a night and returning to bed.

I kept hearing a buzzing sound, I thought in my dreams, but I finally became conscious enough to realize it was my doorbell. I groaned, sitting up in bed, running my hand over my face full of stubble.

My hand hurt as I did so, giving me pause. Then last night flashed back to me.

Before I could think any further about it, the door buzzed again. I pulled myself out of the bed and padded to the door, peeking through to see Pug’s ugly mug.

“What the fuck do you want?” I cursed as I pulled the door open. He only growled, shoving a coffee in my hand. I stepped back, letting him in as he brushed past me, straight to the couch.

“I feel like shit,” Pug grumbled.

“You should. You drank like a fish and acted like a dick,” I sat across from him in a chair.

“That was all Hunter, man. You know I wouldn’t be like that. Fuck. Coach is going to kill you. You fucking broke his nose.”

“Well, it’s worth it. He was disgusting. I hate him anyway,” I tested the temp of the coffee before taking a big gulp.

“Yeah, we all know for sure now. What was up with you last night?” he asked quietly.

“Nothing. I was tired after our game and didn’t want to put up with the immature bullshit. Which, by the way, has caused me more shit. I gave that chick my jacket and my phone was in the pocket.”

I tousled my hair, checking the time, knowing I’d have to hit that club up to get my phone back, hopefully.

“Damn. You going back for it?”

“Of course. I’ve got a few hours before they’re open, and I’m hoping it’s still there.”

Pug and I chatted for a bit, then I showered and we headed out for a hangover lunch. Briggs and his fiancée Shanna met up with us.

“I hear you boys caused a scene last night,” Shanna teased.

“Fuck, Hunter caused a scene. The rest were just drunken dumbasses,” Briggs said. She rolled her eyes, stealing a fry from his plate.

“No one went to jail so I call it a successful evening, well for all of us but Hunter,” Pug laughed, biting into his burger.

“I talked to him this morning, he’s in fucking pain and pissed as hell,” Briggs laughed.

I could feel the anger boiling in me, remembering how he treated that girl. I was getting just as angry again. I balled my fists up at my sides, taking a deep breath.

“I’ve got to get going, guys. I need to grab my phone and have a few things to do before practice.”

We parted ways and I headed out to the club. It took me a few missed turns to find it, based on a very foggy memory from the night before.

The club hours were listed, and I arrived a few hours before opening. I hoped like hell someone was there who could at least retrieve my jacket and phone—fuck, at least my phone.

I made my way to the club entrance and could hear the music playing. I pulled on the door, and thankfully it swung open. Just as I stepped inside, one of the bouncers immediately popped up.

“We’re closed right now. Come back at seven,” he growled.

“Uh, yeah.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I realize you’re closed. I…I was in here last night, and I left my jacket and my phone. I was hoping maybe there’s a lost and found or something?” I shrugged.

I’m not ashamed to admit the huge-ass bouncer intimidated the hell out of me.

It also didn’t help that there were various girls all twirling around the poles, I assumed practicing for the night ahead. I couldn’t help but scan for her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh yeah, you pretty boy ballers. You fucked with Gianna,” he cracked his knuckles.

“No, no sir. One of the guys did, but if you recall, I punched him in his fucking face. I also made sure to leave a generous tip for the trouble.” I shoved my hands in my jeans pockets.

“Follow me back here. I’ll check in the office. We don’t do lost and found here, pretty boy.” The big guy chuckled.

We walked toward a doorway next to where the girls would exit the stage. He instructed me to stay put, and he would check on my things. I stood awkwardly as girls milled about, practicing on stage or talking amongst themselves.

I looked up for a moment, and it happened again. I couldn’t breathe. I was frozen. There she stood at the bar, opening a box of liquor and putting the bottles out.

Her hair was down and flowing, she was in a T-shirt and shorts, and goddamn if she didn’t look even more beautiful than before.

I watched as she continued her task, her body moving perfectly. I wanted desperately to talk to her, but I couldn’t get myself to move.

What the hell would I say? I’d never been one to feel the way I was feeling, let alone go after a girl for anything other than a hookup. This was new territory entirely, and it scared the shit out of me.

“Sorry, boy, the boss isn’t in and the office is locked up. I didn’t see any pussy jackets lying around either,” he shrugged.

I wiped my hand down my face. I was a big guy, and even punched out the fuck who messed with Gianna, so it was annoying to say the least that I was a pretty boy pussy to him.

“You want to leave your number so we can call you if it turns up?” He started laughing.

“Hilarious, you’re fucking hilarious,” I mumbled as I followed him back toward the exit, which just so happened to be right near the bar area Gianna was still at.

“Hey, G! You remember this baller from last night?” he called out as we approached, causing her to look up and over, making eye contact with me.

I drank those caramel eyes in again, having memorized them from last night. My heart fluttered all around in my chest, and I could feel sweat prickling the palms of my hands. What the actual fuck, Ethan?! I thought.

“Yes! Hi!” she sang out. Hearing her voice in the quieter atmosphere, it was sweet like honey—too sweet again for this club. She wiped her hands on a towel, then came around from the bar.

I couldn’t help but smirk. Without the heels on, she was even smaller. I imagined picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder and doing ungodly things to her.

Though I really just wanted to sit and talk with her... I was thinking I needed to see a therapist after this.

“I’ll take care of him, Wes. No worries,” she smiled up at him, patting his arm.

He nodded and took his place back near the door. Gianna smiled up at me and waved for me to follow her.

“I’m so sorry about my friend,” I blurted out, trying to keep up.

“I appreciate that. Thank you for coming to my aid,” she turned, winking over her shoulder. I was a goner.

“Um, so where are we going?” I asked, confused, as she led me back to the area where I had waited for Wes before.

“I have your jacket and phone back here. I’ll grab them for you. Just have a seat.”

Without hesitation, I did as she asked and watched as she walked away. I tried to settle my breath, folding my hands in my lap, staring down, waiting.

“I really appreciate you covering me. I know... I mean. Ugh. I just appreciate it, and I’m sorry it got left behind. I tried to come out to return it, but you all had left by then.”

She laid the jacket across the table and handed my phone out to me. “I did try to access your phone, not for anything nefarious, just so I could contact you that I had it. I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t overstepping.”

I sat in awe, listening to her melodic voice. I had to admit, I had been to a few strip clubs in my time and none of the women had ever spoken so eloquently, sweetly, and beautifully as she had.

Not that they all were terrible, but she was different. I just stared at her as I pulled my jacket toward me and held my phone.

I felt the corners of my face curve up, just being in her presence. It was strange. I couldn’t fight it, though, and I had to go for it.

“Could I possibly get your number?” I asked sheepishly. I had never acted sheepishly toward a woman, ever.

“Oh,” she seemed shocked. She scooted back in her seat, thinking for a moment. “I really can’t. I’m sorry. It’s kind of a rule here,” she looked genuinely sorry.

“Rules were made to be broken,” I teased, having lost all control of myself at this point.

“While I agree to an extent, I can’t risk this job. I do appreciate your kindness toward me and even punching your friend.” She shook her head with a smile.

“It was my pleasure. I wouldn’t really call him a friend.” I laughed. “So, this is it, I guess?” I sighed.

“It appears so,” she shrugged with a bit of a frown.

I stood, trying to think of anything to extend my time with her, any way to establish a connection. We both turned toward one another and opened our mouths to speak, then laughing, we attempted again.

“Sorry, go ahead.” I felt giddy. When the fuck had I ever felt giddy? I hoped Coach would run my ass hard tonight. I needed an outlet because I had thoroughly lost my mind.

“I was just going to say it was nice to see you again, and I do really appreciate you,” Gianna smiled. Her smile crushed my heart. I had to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat at the thought of never seeing her again.

“That pleasure is all mine, trust me. I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” I spit out like a fool.