Dirty, Reckless Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 3)

“Yeah, well, I remember now.” Ellie leaves the kitchen, and I hear the door to the guest bedroom click closed.

Molly closes her eyes and exhales slowly. “That could have gone better.”

Jake shrugs. “Could’ve gone worse, too.” I glare at him. “What? It’s true.”

Ellie

Saturday, August 25th

If I catch my boyfriend ogling the blonde across from us one more time, I swear to all that is holy I’m going to knee him in the balls so hard he can taste his own sperm. God knows those little fuckers have caused me enough grief.

Colton sits in the booth next to me, but his eyes are on his stepsister—the beautiful Molly McKinley, the object of all his adolescent fantasies. Before Molly showed up tonight, Colton was twitchy and agitated—as if he was only here because he was expected to be. As if he’d rather be anywhere else than next to me. But ever since Molly joined our festive little celebration, he’s been in no hurry to leave. Fucker.

“I can’t wait until you move home,” Ava says to Molly. “I can’t decide if I’m more excited about spending time with you or Noah.”

My stomach heaves, and I suck on a piece of ice to calm it. I thought the nausea was supposed to be better by now. “You’re moving to Jackson Harbor?” I ask Molly. “I had no idea.”

Molly looks at Colton for a beat before settling her gaze on me. “That’s the plan. Just as soon as I work out a couple of personal details.”

“We’ll get you all set,” he says.

We? They’re a we now?

“Just let us know if you need any help finding a place to stay,” Ava says. “Ellie’s in real estate, so she can find you something that’s not going to blow the budget.”

I try to smile instead of glaring at my friend. She used to be the one who couldn’t stand Molly, but now it’s my turn. Lucky me. “There aren’t many options around here. Everything’s pretty pricy thanks to all the tourists.”

Molly laughs. “Can’t be half as bad as New York.”

“True,” I mutter, dropping my gaze back to my drink.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Molly asks Ava.

Right. Because Ava and Jake brought us here to announce their engagement, not so Molly McKinley could steal my boyfriend and fuck up my life. How could I forget?

“I’m not sure yet,” Ava says.

Jake wraps his arm around her shoulders and pulls her into his side. “As soon as possible.”

“We agreed we need to make our plans around Ethan and Nic,” she says. She turns to Molly. “Jake’s brother and his girlfriend got engaged in July, and we don’t want to steal their thunder.”

“I agreed to no such thing,” Jake says before planting a kiss on the top of Ava’s head.

“Jake wants to get married before the baby is born.” Ava puts her hand on her still-flat stomach. “So it won’t be a long engagement.”

“Tried to get her to marry me at the courthouse tonight,” Jake says, “but she wouldn’t do it.”

Ava shakes her head. “Your mom would kill you.”

“Nah, she’d stop short of murder, and it would be worth it.” Jake’s eyes fill with wonder as he stares at his bride-to-be.

Damn, they’re cute. And so good together they almost make you believe in the power of love and happily-ever-after. A few months ago, I thought Colton and I were just like them. Of course, a few months ago, I wasn’t hiding a pregnancy or convinced my boyfriend was cheating on me.

How quickly things can change.

“Another round?” the waitress asks.

“I should get out of here.” I reach for my purse, slinging it over one shoulder. “It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.”