Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
“Don’t inhale,” Lewis said when Morgan’s eyes started watering.
“Okay, I think I’d take weed over any of this,” I said against Morgan’s ear.
“Same.” His cheeks were nicely flushed, and again I could see Dawson avidly watching us, which was so fucking strange after his remark about strip clubs during dinner. Was he about to be all holier-than-thou and go off on us? Doubtful, since I had a feeling the guy was hiding his true self with ridiculous bravado.
“What do you suppose Dawson’s deal is? He keeps watching us.”
“No idea,” Morgan said, stealing a glance his way. “Do you think he’s ever kissed another guy again?”
“If he’s closeted, maybe not.” I frowned, thinking about the many different reasons people were afraid to come out.
“Maybe I ruined him for other guys,” Morgan said tongue-in-cheek, and when our eyes met, I felt a strange thread of tension pulling me toward him, making me want to touch him.
“You are a heartbreaker,” I said, kissing his cheek, and he barked out a laugh, playfully knocking my shoulder. But then he started fussing with my sleeve, rolling it to match the other side, and I wondered if he was only trying to stay close as well.
“It would be nice to at least clear the air between you after all this time,” I murmured so no one else would hear.
“He’s too busy acting all macho,” Morgan replied. “Besides, it’s not worth it. After next weekend, I won’t have to see him again for a long time.”
Heads turned when the door to the backroom swung open and a police officer stepped inside behind the server and began looking around. She approached our group and asked who was driving a certain vehicle parked on the street.
“That’s Ryan’s car,” Morgan said, straightening like he was the one in trouble.
“What is this about?” Ryan asked just as I noticed Dawson hide a smirk.
“Sir, I’m afraid I’ll have to arrest you for unpaid parking violations,” she said, and murmurs arose around the room. That was when I noticed it—how the top buttons of her shirt were open, exposing a substantial bosom. “But first, I’m going to dance for you.”
And then she began swaying her hips and turning in a circle, showcasing her curves. Ryan just sat there gobsmacked as it finally dawned on him that she wasn’t a real officer.
“Happy bachelor party!” Dawson whooped and high-fived another guy, who apparently was in on the gag. Dawson glanced briefly in our direction, no doubt noting that Morgan was completely stiff beside me.
When I nudged him, Morgan seemed to snap out of it, a deep blush spreading over his cheeks, ears, and throat.
“I had nothing to do with this,” Morgan said over the music the stripper started blaring from her phone. Morgan’s eyes narrowed on Dawson. “What the actual fuck? Ryan specifically said—”
“You can’t get married without a traditional bachelor party,” Dawson replied, clapping his hands to the music. He was the only one in the room acting totally over-the-top. All the other guys were just quietly watching, possibly still shell-shocked. “Ryan wouldn’t go to a strip club, so we brought one to him.”
Morgan stabbed a finger in his direction. “That shows how much you know your so-called best friend.”
“Aw, c’mon, loosen up. It’s what every guy would want. Well…most guys.” He gave us a look that made me want to punch him. He was definitely in the closet or trying to prove he was very straight. And right now, he was almost a caricature of himself.
“Holy shit,” I muttered as the server left the area, shutting the door so the customers up front didn’t also get a show.
“Just ignore the jackass,” Lewis said from beside us, and I was relieved we weren’t the only ones who thought he was being ridiculous. Everything in Dawson’s demeanor screamed that he was trying too hard.
Still, there was nothing we could do except watch the stripper do her thing. It wasn’t her fault that she’d been hired against Ryan’s wishes. She was actually pretty hot and talented, and most of the guys started getting into it and vying for her attention. Ryan went from looking like he wanted to strangle Dawson to loosening up and enjoying the show. I mean, what else could he do? He certainly didn’t want to be rude.
“We’re gonna have words after this,” Ryan said to Dawson as the woman, who’d stripped down to a bra and G-string, rubbed her bare ass on his lap. He said it in a joking tone, but I could hear the edge in it.
The woman danced around the room, giving every guy their own little show, and right before it was Dawson’s turn, he stood up, muttered something, and headed down the hallway toward the restrooms.
“Interesting timing,” I deadpanned.
Morgan sprang from his seat. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hey, wait,” I said, but he ignored me.