Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 136029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Is that the final answer?” Quinn asks.
“No, and no, Maximoff didn’t say that.” I can’t see why he would.
“Wrong.” Akara smiles. “He said it when he was six.”
I clap for them, cigarette between my lips. “You all really went dumpster diving for these questions.” They look pleased with themselves—because they know it’s funny as hell. Amusement has been the theme of tonight, but it’s also been accompanied by vigilance and restlessness.
SFO has joked that we’re the “grown-up” bachelor party since Maximoff has underage teens attending his, and they’re at a campy beach-themed bar.
The reality: we’re all away from our clients, and while temp bodyguards are watching them, it’s set most of us on edge. We oscillate between laughing and glancing towards entrances, exits. As though the people we live to protect will show up, or we’ll need to rush to them.
Donnelly uncaps a marker and draws the fifth “x” on my cheekbone. They wanted the punishment to be more than “chug a beer” and to last all night.
Jack Highland’s turn.
He scoots nearer to the Jenga tower. He’s been sitting really close to Oscar at the nightclub, and Donnelly caps the marker, watching their interactions with me.
“You’ve been pretty good at Jenga tonight,” Jack says to Oscar with a bright mega-watt smile. “Which would you suggest? Top or bottom?” He points between a top and bottom block.
Okay, I’m not even sure if Highland knows what he’s saying.
Donnelly mouths to me, straight. I suck on my cigarette, casual and not too worried. I’m not going to interfere with whatever the hell that is. But if Oscar catches feelings for a straight boy, we’ll both be here to pick up the pieces. Always are.
Oscar leans back and narrows his eyes at Jack. “Are you asking for sex advice, Long Beach?”
Jack laughs. “I wasn’t. But if I were, I would go to you—I’m sure you do well in that department.” Before Oscar can reply, Jack rotates back to the game and says quickly, “I’m serious about the blocks though. Top or bottom?”
“For Jenga. Top.”
Donnelly looks around, confused, before he speaks up. “We’re all just going to ignore the giant elephant in the room?”
“Definitely not,” I say, and cast a glance to Oscar. Donnelly and I aren’t about to let him off that easy. “So when’s your sex advice column going out?”
“Yeah, sign me up.” Donnelly nods. “Not that I need it. Just curiosity and all.”
Oscar and I share a look before we crack up laughing.
Donnelly pulls a cigarette from behind his ear. “Dunno what’s so funny. I’m a great lay. Just ask—” He stops at the sight of Thatcher’s glare. “Cynthia,” Donnelly finishes. “Or Linda. Chelsea—”
“Man, we don’t need names,” I say, cutting him off.
Jack reads the block in his hand. “Take a shot.” And Oscar pours him a tequila shot and passes the salt and lime.
I have my phone out—not to cheat.
I swig champagne as the bottle reaches me. And I scroll through a group text with all the parents: Lily & Lo, Connor & Rose, and Ryke & Daisy.
Every famous one is in Key West, including the six parents.
The only stipulation they made: if the younger teens attend Maximoff’s bachelor party, then all the parents have to be in town for parental supervision.
On the plus side, all six of them have been babysitting Ripley ever since we left for the club and bar. My groom is a whole five blocks down the road at the other bachelor party.
Yearning surges through me. To be with Maximoff. To be with Ripley. When I should just be enjoying myself.
See, this is the first time I’ve let someone else besides Maximoff watch Ripley for this long.
Lily and Daisy keep sending videos of the baby asleep. Snoring. Nothing else. I texted back asking if he ever woke up, and the next message was from Rose Calloway. She sent a video of Ripley screaming at the top of his lungs.
He’s a demon. Certifiable. Congratulations. But you’re lucky that I’ve raised seven gremlins of my own. Lily has raised four. Daisy two. You have nothing to worry about. Have fun tonight, and don’t do anything that my nephew wouldn’t do or I’ll have your head. – Rose
Maximoff wouldn’t be drinking alcohol, so I broke that hours ago.
I skim the text again. Shit, I miss Ripley. He’s only a twenty-minute drive back to the rental house.
“Redford, I’m about to steal your phone.” Oscar does just that, snatching my cell and sliding it in his back pocket.
I raise my brows. “Why even warn me?”
“Good point. I won’t next time. Drink up.” He tips the champagne bottle back, and liquor glides down my throat quickly. Liquid drips off my chin before I right the bottle. I wipe the alcohol off with my bicep.
Oscar and Donnelly are doing the thing where they’re both trying to get me hammered. Much to their disappointment, I’m only lightly buzzed.