Écarté (Lost Birds Book 4)

Part 12 Racing

I was surrounded by a buzz of masculine voices. The combinations of scents engulfed me and I was left simply staring blankly at the menu Aydan had handed me several minutes ago. We were crammed into a booth at a Mexican food place that Tao claimed to be the best of the best. 

Sab was on my right stretched out shamelessly with his arm draped over the back of the booth and his thigh pressed against mine. Aydan was to my left. He was turned slightly toward me so that his wide shoulders wouldn't squish me against Sab and he had his hand resting behind me on the seat. Not touching at the moment but he would lift it to my lower back whenever he spoke to me. Cameron, Theo, and Tao had managed to squish together on the other side of the booth in that order. One of them had my feet trapped between theirs but I wasn't sure who.

Just being surrounded by my guys and listening to their quiet banter made me feel more at ease than I could ever remember. I wasn't even sure what they were discussing. I was just happy and at peace being there with them.

"Earth to Tor." Cam said. Leaning forward he waved a hand in front of my face. I blinked and snapped my eyes up to his. A quick glance around showed that all of the guys had turned their focus to me.

"Oh I'm sorry." I said quickly as I realized that someone had been speaking to me and I hadn't heard even a word of it.

Sab chuckled. His fingers brushed against the back of my neck soothingly while most off the others shook their heads.

"We were asking if you're ready to order." Aydan said. His hand going to my back as he waited for my answer.

"Uhm sure. Yeah..." I said even as my eyes frantically scanned the menu I'd forgotten to read.

"I've got it dulzura. If you trust me..." Tao teased waving down our waitress.

"Irrefutably." I muttered still scanning the menu just in case he was referring to something else.

"Nerd." Cam snorted and laughed. 

I listened as Tao raddled off an entire list of items in Spanish. The girl smiled prettily and took diligent notes.

"What would you like to drink?" She asked glancing around at the others. They all asked for something strange. Then she turned her eyes to me.

"Uhhhmmm..." I bit my lip trying to find anything on the menu that looked or sounded like a drink.

"Bottom right baby." Aydan supplied patiently.

My eyes darted down to the random scribbles at the bottom right of my menu. Even knowing where the drinks were I couldn't seem to read any of them.

"Cerveza please." I said picking one. Cameron, Theo, and Sab all laughed at my choice.

"Do you have your ID?" She asked.

"I've got." Tao said laughing along with the others. He pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed my license to the girl. She glanced at it carefully and then handed it back to Tao.

"Anything else?" She asked.

"Una agua fresca de fresa por favor." Aydan ordered ignoring the others still tittering with laughter.

Once the lady walked away I crossed my arms and sank down against Aydan. I was to embarrassed to ask what everyone was laughing at me about and Aydan was the only one not laughing. Aydan dropped a kiss against the top of my head.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly.

I shook my head. I didn't want to draw their attention back to my obvious mistake seeing as it wasn't so obvious to me.