Wildcard: Volume Two

“Another please,” I order the waitress. Her blue eyes widen and she nods. “In fact, make it two.”

“Slow down,” Josh says, laughing.

I glower at him. “Make up your mind. Do you want me to relax or not?”

“There’s a difference between relaxing and drinking yourself into a coma.”

“There is?” Wow. I’d managed a joke.

Josh groans and shoves my phone in his pocket. I chuckle as the alcohol begins to cloud my thoughts. This is what I needed. I’m actually able to go five seconds without thinking about her.

I glance around, as if I’m noticing the place for the first time. Though it’s barely eight in the evening, the bar is alive with talent. I spy a sexy blonde standing by the bar. Her eyes are on me, a little smile playing on her lips.

I raise an eyebrow and wink at her. She rolls her eyes, but laughs. I motion for her to join us. She’s everything Scarlett isn’t: petite, blonde, and available.

“You’re Ryder Stevens.” She grins and sits down next to me. Her eyes are glazed and she’s giggling at nothing, but I don’t care. My only aim is to have her under me by the end of the night—or the end of the hour.

“Am I invisible?” Josh grumbles.

I smirk as he throws his arms up in the air, startling Blondie. Whenever we go out together, it’s always me the women are drawn to and it infuriates Josh to no end.

“Gosh, I’m sorry,” she stammers, blushing. “I didn’t even see you there.”

I chuckle as his face turns red. Josh’s problem is that he’s way too nice. Girls who hang out in bars like this don’t want a nice guy. They want arrogance—something I have plenty of.

“How’s your girlfriend?” I fire at him, raising an eyebrow.

“I know, I know,” he says, rolling his eyes. “But it’s nice to be noticed, you know? I’ve been your wingman for how many years and I’ve not once been hit on. Charlotte thinks it’s fucking hilarious.”

“Speaking of,” I say, nodding toward the entrance.

Charlotte struts toward us like she’s walking on a Paris runway. She flips her silky, golden hair over her shoulder, aware that every set of eyes in the place is on her. Guys want to shag her, and girls want to kill her. You can see it in the way their eyes narrow as she glides past them. And it’s no wonder. She’s fucking stunning.

She reaches our table and leans down to kiss Josh before sliding into the seat next to him. “Hey Ryder.” She flashes a grin. “Sorry to hear about your girl. I want to slap the bitch in the face for you.”

“Thanks,” I chuckle.

I love Charlotte. She is so not what you’d expect when you think ‘supermodel.’ She’s down to earth, crass, and extremely fun to be around.

“Looks like you’ve moved on.” She raises her eyebrows at Blondie. “Go, you. Get right back on that horse. Or should I say that ass?”

“Really, Charlotte?” I groan. How many more arse jokes can there possibly be?

“I know, I’m sorry. Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” She bats her lashes at me, feigning innocence. I sigh and turn back to Blondie, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She giggles, her cheeks reddening.

“What’s your name, beautiful?”

“Lissa,” she replies.

I watch her as she crosses one leg over the other, her short, sparkly dress riding up her tanned thighs. My gaze rolls over her body. She’s fit. The old me would have her back at her place bent over a chair by now, giving her the true ‘Ryder Stevens’ experience.

As much as I don’t feel like that guy right now, I’m determined to channel him. Fake it till you make it, right? The only way I’m going to get her out of my head is by moving on.

“What brings you here, Lissa?” I ask. I half listen as she rattles on, my interest piquing when I hear the words ‘bikini shoot.’ Josh snorts and I throw him a glare. He and Charlotte are enjoying this way too much, but Lissa doesn’t seem to notice as she takes a sip of her champagne.

“Are you staying nearby?” I ask her.

She nods. “Over at the Conservation Hotel. I’m on the top floor,” she adds, her eyes sparkling.