Alpha

Tyler hadn't planned on going to the bar tonight, but Jamie had asked if he wanted to tag along with him and Alex, and Tyler knew there was a good chance Savannah would be there as well. They still had two nights before their date, and he had to admit he was pretty excited. He never really got anxious about dates, he was much more for the one night stands, but he thought his date with Savannah would be different.

They had been texting quite a bit. They'd have big lulls during the day when she was at work or when he was on the ice or in the weight room, but they'd text quite a bit at night. They hadn't met at the bar since they had planned their date, but it seemed like one of them always had a reason they couldn’t go. He wasn't sure if Savannah would be there tonight or not, but he figured he'd go and see for himself.

He walked inside and didn't see Jamie or Alex right away, but his eyes did find a hot dark haired girl sitting at a table. He walked over to the table, putting his arm around her shoulders as he sat down, scooting the chair closer to her. "I'm looking forward to our date," he grinned at her.

"Are you hitting on the wrong girl?" Audrey's voice rang out as she walked up to the table with two drinks in her hand. She started laughing loudly as she sat the drinks on the table and Tyler turned to look at the woman he just had put his arm around. "Unless you're still hitting on Shea," she added through tears.

"Shit," Tyler muttered as he withdrew his arm from around her.

Shea started laughing as well as she shook her head. "You've slept with Savannah, and you still can't tell us apart?"

"Shut up," Tyler told her. "Wait, she told you about us sleeping together? What'd she say?" He scooted in closer still, wanting all the details.

"Eh, that you were pretty average," Shea shrugged her shoulders.

"Pretty average my ass!" Tyler exclaimed.

Audrey smiled at him before looking at Shea. "Is she coming tonight? I thought she was working late," she said.

Shea nodded her head. "Yeah, her and Liam were working on something."

"Is Liam the hot one?" Audrey asked.

That question got Tyler's attention, and he snapped his head in the two women's direction, not even noticing Jamie and Alex arriving, walking to the table hand in hand. "Hot one? Can you even say that when you're into women?" he questioned.

"What kind of conversation did I walk into?" Alex asked with a chuckle as she sat down in the last remaining seat, while Jamie pulled an extra one from a nearby table.

Tyler looked over at her. "They're talking about Savannah's coworker and calling him hot," he pouted.

"Oh, Liam!" Alex said, obviously knowing just from that description who they were talking about.

Jamie looked over at his girlfriend. "He's hot?"

"Even I think he's hot," Shea piped in, adding fuel to the fire for Tyler, whose jealousy streak was showing tonight.

He didn't respond to them but instead pulled his phone out and began texting Savannah. Who's this hot coworker your friends are talking about?

He didn't think she'd reply right away if she was at work, but was surprised when moments later, his phone buzzed.

Savannah: I've talked about Liam before to you.

Tyler: Forgot to mention just how good looking he is, as your friends are informing me now.

Savannah: Hahaha are you jealous? He's too young for me!

Tyler: Just how old are you?

He didn't get a response right away, and he wasn't sure if she didn't want to tell him or if she got busy. He looked up at Shea. "How old are you?"

She looked at him curiously, but answered nonetheless. "I turn thirty next month. Why?" He didn't respond as his focus went back to his phone in his hands.

Tyler: You're almost 30!? Damn, you're a cougar!

Savannah: Did you just find that out from Shea?

Savannah: How old are you?

Tyler: 25. Like I said, you're a cougar.

Tyler: When you said you liked to be in charge, now I get it!

Tyler: Do you always go after younger guys?

Savannah: Liam's older than you. Maybe I should go after him.

Tyler: Okay, it's not funny anymore.

Tyler: Seriously though, he can't be better looking than me, right?

Savannah: Eh, it's a close call.

Tyler: Does he have tattoos?

Savannah: None that I can see.

Tyler: So I win!!

Savannah: Well, I am going on a date with you and not him. Though I am not a prize.

Tyler: Never said you were, just pointing out that I'm better than him.

Savannah: Enjoy your night out with my friends. Tell them I said hi.

Tyler: Like you're not texting them right now!

Savannah: Good point. I'll make sure they keep a good eye on you. Talk to you later.

Tyler set his phone down and saw both Alex and Shea typing away on theirs. She really was texting them right now. He looked over at Jamie. "Is she always on her phone texting them?" he asked, pointing his thumb at Alex.

Jamie shrugged. "Not when I keep her busy," he said with a straight face.

Audrey laughed. "You learn pretty quickly that if you want to be with one of them, you get them all. I've been dating Shea for over a year, and Alex and Van are basically a part of my relationship, too."

Alex must have overheard her comment as she chuckled. "But you love me," she said with a grin. Audrey just smiled and nodded her head.

Tyler spent about an hour and a half at the bar with them before deciding to go home, the first one of the group, which wasn't normal for him. "You sick or something?" Jamie joked.

"Just gonna get some sleep before the game tomorrow night," Tyler replied. Jamie gave him a look, knowing he wasn't fully telling the truth, but he let it go.

"See you tomorrow," Jamie said, and the three women said goodbye to him as well.

He made his way out to his truck and home, being greeted by all three of his dogs as soon as he walked in the door. "Hey guys," he said as all three of them tried to get his attention. He was able to push through them to get to the couch. He played with them for a while before finally looking at his phone to see a text from Savannah from nearly an hour ago. Headed home, let me know if you're up for something tonight.

He looked at the time to see it was nearing midnight now. He had clearly left the bar extremely early. No wonder Jamie had given him shit for it. He decided to go ahead and text her back.

Tyler: Sorry, just saw this. I'm guessing you're already home and in bed?

Savannah: Yeah, already changed into shorts and a tank for bed.

Tyler: That's a good image to have ;)

Tyler: I'm getting ready to go to bed myself.

Savannah: Shea and Alex said you left early. Everything alright?

Tyler: Yeah, just came home and played with the dogs.

Tyler: How was hot detective tonight?

Savannah: Do I detect a little jealousy?

Tyler: Nah, that's just coming through in the text.

Savannah: Haha well don't worry, you've got nothing to be jealous of.

Savannah: No being mobbed by girls tonight?

Tyler: Just your friends.

Savannah: Something tells me they weren't looking at taking you home tonight.

Tyler: Lol no, Shea and Audrey seemed pretty content and Benny would have killed me if I went home with Alex.

Savannah: Too bad you had to go home alone tonight.

Tyler: Did you just use a line on me?

Savannah: Maybe ;)

Savannah: Okay, I'm headed to bed. Good luck at your game tomorrow!

Tyler: Hey, you knew I have a game! You really must like me!

Tyler: Goodnight!

Tyler could hear his dogs start to settle down and get ready to go to sleep themselves. He glanced at the clock. This was probably the earliest he'd gone to bed in as long as he could remember. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before climbing into bed, pulling the blanket up over his waist. He had a smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.

Notes

Just a fluffy chapter.