Now or Never

than the military guys, not to mention they all had shaggy hair and were trailed by a group of girls, mostly dressed like they were going clubbing. They didn’t seem to fit in with the laid-back scene of the bar.
    “College kids,” Luna explained, seeing Grayson’s raised eyebrow. “They come here to get wasted before going round to the clubs. The drinks are cheaper at this bar.”
    “There’s a college nearby?” Grayson asked, intrigued. If that was the case, she could look into taking classes—if she decided to stay, anyway.
    “Yep. There is one right down the road.”
    “Is it a good one?”
    Luna laughed. “I don’t know. You’re such a weirdo Grayson.”
    They talked about an hour more, and Grayson was ready to call it a night, when the door slammed open. A group of men entered the bar—Derrick among them.
    Grayson groaned out loud. Why did they keep crossing paths? The town was not that small. She watched as he scanned the room, and his eyes settled on hers. His expression didn’t change. He stared a beat too long, and then followed the others to the bar.
    “Isn’t that the coffee shop guy?” Luna asked; her lips quirked into a grin as she went on. “And Marcus?”
    “Yep. What are the chances?”
    “Pretty good, actually. This is the main bar where team guys hang out. I found out about it from Ethan.”
    Grayson fought the urge to groan again. This was all Luna’s fault. “Can we go somewhere else? This isn’t exactly a happening place.”
    “Patience.”
    “Didn’t you tell me not to get involved with any local guys?”
    “And you won’t. Out-of-towners come here, too.”
    Sighing, Grayson asked, “How can you tell which is which?”
    “Easy. Team guys come in small groups like that. Locals are loners sitting around the bar drowning their sorrows. Out-of-town guys travel in packs.”
    “Interesting. You always were the observant one.”
    “Speak of the devil.” Luna took a swig from her beer as at least twenty guys filed into the bar. The noise level rose instantly.
    Grayson snuck a peek at Derrick and was surprised to feel her blood boil when she saw a blonde girl sitting next to him, laughing at something he’d just said.
    Grayson tore her gaze away and tapped her nails on the side of her glass.
    The waitress set two drinks on the table and turned to point at the bar. “The guy with the baseball hat sent them.”
    Grayson looked at him; he was pretty big, close to six foot and stocky. She could feel Derrick’s eyes on her. Picking up the beverage, she smiled at the large man before taking a drink.
    Within minutes, the guy in the baseball hat and one of his friends were sitting across from them at their table. Grayson tried to keep up with the conversation, but she kept glancing over at Derrick. Several times their eyes met, but he didn’t come over or even bother to acknowledge her with a wave. The blonde was glued to his side, though he didn’t seem to be too into her. He seemed more interested in what was happening at her table.
    Now that excited her, more than she was willing to admit.
    When their eyes met for what felt like the tenth time, Grayson excused herself to the restroom. She stopped by Derrick’s table on the way. “Hey, Marcus.”
    “Hello, Ethan’s incredible hot sister who is off-limits to us. Times two.” He grinned.
    Grayson laughed. “Where is my big brother anyway?” She snuck a peek at Derrick.
    Beside him, the blonde narrowed her eyes and draped an arm over Derrick as if staking her claim. Without missing a beat, he picked up her arm and put it back down on the table. The girl looked like she was about to blow a gasket.
    “He doesn’t come out too often,” Derrick responded. “He’s a family man and all that. Who’re your friends?” He tilted his head towards the table where Luna flirted with their guests.
    “No idea.” Grayson shrugged and continued towards the bathroom. Her heart was pounding against her chest. What the hell was it about that guy that caused her heart to go into overdrive?
    She used the bathroom quickly, and stared at herself in the mirror as she washed her hands. An image of Derrick’s eyes and sardonic smile was burned into her, and she couldn’t shake him. It was one meeting in a cafe, and he made her come unglued. She needed to pull herself together.
    She dried her hands and wrapped her hair into a bun before she stepped outside.
    Derrick stood waiting for her, and she wasn’t really surprised. She took