Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories (The Flirts! Collection) Read Online Free

me.” He shook his head, laughing, and ran onto the field.
    Brady was good. He scored three runs, made a couple of key catches, and had a gaggle of girls waiting for him when it was all over. Shocker. But after some casual chitchat, he pushed his way past them and came over to me.
    Yes, me—the only girl there wearing sneakers instead of high-heeled sandals, zero jewelry, and a “Wanna Smurf Around” t-shirt.
    “Impressive, as promised,” I told him as he sat down next to me on the bleachers.
    He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “We’re heading to a pub down the street to celebrate our crushing victory.”
    He didn’t have to say so, but I knew this is where he was going to put his theory to the test. I should have been nervous realizing I’d soon be trying to charm his friends with my wit and personality. But I knew it was going to lead nowhere, and being right was so much fun. Plus that “She’s Taken” t-shirt would come in handy.
    “It’s close enough to walk. You ready?” he asked.
    “Let’s do it.”

    Eight of us sat at a big table, sharing wings and war stories from our high school sports careers. Or lack of a career in my case. “I’m just saying, how many concussions do you need to suffer on the volleyball court before you realize it’s not your calling? The coaches pawned me off on each other until I finally gave up sports and joined the drama club. And they kicked me out for being too dramatic.”
    Brady’s friend, Flynn, just laughed and shook his head. “What kind of volleyballs did you use? I remember them being very soft.”
    “True, but the floor was quite hard when the ball hit me and knocked me over.”
    Flynn’s eyes swept over me. “You should have moved on to beach volleyball. You certainly could handle the uniform.” Up went a sexy eyebrow. “I could teach you a few moves this weekend. Bunch of us are hitting the beach on the South Shore if you’re interested.”
    I almost ducked, hearing the flirty comment sail my way, like an errant volleyball. I looked over at Brady, expecting a told-you-so smirk, but he was frowning. “She can’t make it.” He scratched his head. “She just had a pre-cancerous mole removed. A great big one on her back. It was all hairy. And lumpy. She has to stay out of the sun unless she’s totally covered up.”
    My mouth dropped open and I glared at him. Who did he think he was— me ? And why was he shooing off the very men he’d been trying to set me up with? I excused myself to hit the restroom and jerked my head, signaling him to follow me.
    As he caught up to me outside the bathroom, I pretended to fan myself. “Gosh, Mr. Quinn, how could I have forgotten my great big sunbonnet today to shield me from the venomous rays of the sun?” I crossed my arms. “And did you have to make the mole hairy? God. Did I miss the purpose of today’s little exercise?” I tried to sound mad, but he flashed these puppy-dog eyes at me that would undoubtedly get him out of any jam.
    He grabbed my shoulders. “I know. I’m sorry. He definitely seemed interested, but he’s no good for you.”
    I swatted away his hands. “I’ll decide that for myself once I see if he has six-pack abs or not. And I suspect he does.”
    He looked at me, incredulous. “And you say men are the ones after looks.”
    “Without money or power, six-pack abs are a nice consolation prize.”
    He shook his head. “He’s got the abs—and three ex-fiancées. He left each one within the month before the wedding.”
    I leaned back against the wall next to the kitchen. “Cream of the crop you’ve got here for me today. Thanks, Brady.”
    “I kind of forgot about that. Normally, I don’t think about all that bullshit. But with you, I have to.”
    “Compliment or put down? I just can’t decide.”
    “You deserve better than that, Jane. Plus, I’m a little scared of you.”
    I slugged his arm and pushed past him into the bathroom. Truth was, none of his friends would do. Not