Stripped Down (Tap That)

His friend’s voice was earnest, not angry. He paused and looked back at him. “Yeah?”

“I found out Tom was cheating on Sloane. She didn’t say anything to us about it, so obviously she’s having such a hard time. I don’t want you fucking with her head, okay?”

He nodded. He had no intention of fucking with Sloane’s head. He would never do that to her. And he was honored she had trusted him both with her body and the information that her ex had cheated on her. “Sure. And maybe you should talk to each other more, you know? Like share feelings and shit. It might make all of you feel a whole hell of a lot better.”

Sullivan made a face. “Fuck that. We don’t do feelings.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

Brandon came over to their side. “What’s the hold up, losers? Are we playing corn hole or grabbing our dicks?”

“O’Toole

is dick-grabbing. Watch your junk.” Rick jogged over to the other side.

Axl eyed him. “Sul knows you have the hots for Sloane, doesn’t he?”

“Yep.”

“Dude, you can’t fuck your best friend’s sister. Not good game play.”

Rick tossed the bags in his hand up and down, in a lame attempt at juggling. One dropped to the grass. He bent over and accidentally made contact with Axl when he stood up.

“Shit,” was Axl’s opinion. “You already did, didn’t you?”

“I’m not saying a word.” He turned and tossed his first bag at the opposite board. It slid straight off.

“You deserve it if he kicks your ass. I might even have a go at you myself.” Axl tossed a bag. It landed on the board.

“Don’t worry about it, man. It’s all good. I would never hurt Sloane.”

Axl shook his head. “I don’t like this. It won’t end well. You know that.”

“I’ve known Sloane my whole life. I’m not going to be an asshole.”

“Don’t tell me anything. I don’t want to have to lie for you.”

“I’m not asking you to lie. And I’m not admitting a damn thing.” Rick threw another bag and it slid in right next to Axl’s.

Sullivan threw and knocked Rick’s bag off into the grass.

“We’re on the same team,” Rick yelled over to him dryly.

“I don’t care.”

“Yeah, he’s pissed,” Axl said.

“He can’t prove anything.” And never would if he and Sloane were discreet. He really didn’t want to damage his friendship. “He’ll get over it.” Because he didn’t think he could give up Sloane. Not yet anyway.

“Time to eat,” Liam called.

Good. Maybe with food in his mouth Sullivan couldn’t say something stupid.

All the guys, River, and Liam’s own sister, Bridget, were all moving around the peninsula in the kitchen filling up plates. He reached for a paper plate and Sullivan shoved him out of the way. “Excuse me.”

Sloane was holding Finn and she shot her brother a look. “Watch where you’re going, Sullivan.”

“Why, am I hurting your boyfriend?”