Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) Read Free

the server approaches to take our orders. Avery and Cameron dominate most of the conversation, so I can just sit back and watch Tate. It feels like I’m in a fuzzy dream, as my body hums with nerves. I don’t want to stick my foot in my mouth and I don’t really want to reveal much. I have to lie low and keep to myself. I need to be careful about too many people getting to know me. I hate having to make all new friends.
    “Excuse me for a moment,” I mumble, sliding out of the booth and heading for the bathroom. It’ll give me a few moments to catch my bearings and pull myself together.
    I come back from the restroom feeling a little more confident from the sporadic pep talk I gave myself in the women’s stall to see Tate laughing. God, he is handsome. His laugh is deep and his eyes flicker with humor, it’s like a vacuum pulling me to him. I can’t help but wonder if I could make him smile and laugh that way.
    I concentrate on eating my oversized baked potato that’s loaded to the brim with butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon. It’s delicious and I shovel it down quickly. With Granddad you learned to eat swiftly or you went hungry. He was in the military when he was young and has always been a fast eater.
    I’m brought out of my brain freeze from my virgin Pina Colada I was busily sucking down by Avery’s chipper voice, “Hey Emily, you ready to go?” She leans into me and bumps me with her elbow lightly, “These two kind gentlemen refuse to let us pay for our meals. Isn’t that sweet?”
    Avery is looking way too happy about this. Personally, I don’t want to owe anybody anything, but this time I’m just going to act like it doesn’t bother me. I leave the cool, sweet trance I was in with my beverage and smirk at the guys.
    “Yep, I’m ready. And thank you, this is so kind of you to treat us to dinner. We owe you guys.” I regret the words instantly. Dumb ass. I scold myself and shake my head a little. Just great, these guys probably think I’m a nut job.
    “Well, speaking of owing, how about you give me your number? I might have trouble in a few of my classes and need your help someday.” Tate’s eyes gleam mischievously and I have to bite back my groan. Geez, did I not just say I didn’t want to owe anybody anything? I guess this is better than a date or him wanting me to wash his car or something. Plus, I can always block his number if I need to.
    Shrugging I say irritably, “Sure, if it’s for help, then no problem, but I’m definitely no booty call,” I say in my snarkiest voice possible. Maybe he’ll change his mind.
    Cameron laughs and chortles out, ribbing Tate, “Ohhhh, boom! Man, she put you in your place!”
    Cameron looks like he just won the lottery and I’m his new best friend. I roll my eyes and turn my head away. Why do men have to act like jackasses sometimes?
    “Shut your face Cameron, and no Emily, I am very aware you are not the type of girl to be just a random booty call. Trust me, I have plenty of females for just that purpose. Babe, you would know if you were going to be my booty call.” He appears sincere and I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not, but at least we’re on the same page.
    We all trade numbers; Avery and Cameron way more enthusiastic than Tate and I. I think he may finally be getting it that I am not interested in him. It’s probably a shock to his system, but I’ve had my fill of men to last awhile.
    Avery and I thank the boys again for dinner. My southern manners drilled into me, almost makes it impossible for me to be mean to people. They insist on walking us to our vehicles. I agree grouchily. I may appear bitchy to them but it’s on purpose. I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression and some men just don’t get it when things are spelled out plain as day.
    Avery doesn’t have a vehicle so Cameron offers to give her a ride in his little Porsche. If I would have known that before I would have offered for us to ride here