“So I don’t run the same risk.”
I laughed, twirling the empty glass.
“When you know, you know, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Ryker looked glum at my explanation but didn’t pry any further. I couldn’t help wondering what Tess, Skye, and Josie were up to. I’d been wondering for the better part of the day, but every time I took out my phone, I shoved it right back in my pocket.
I lost the fight after the third round of tequila and excused myself from the group.
The music was loud enough that I had to step outside to make the call. My vision was blurry when I looked at the screen, but I somehow managed to pull up Josie’s number.
Only it wasn’t Josie who answered. It was Skye.
“You’re one lovesick fiancé,” she remarked.
“Can I talk to Josie?”
“Nope. It’s a no-man zone tonight. If you speak to her, you’ll convince her to bail on us.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because you sound like you’ve had just enough tequila to want to bolt on Ryker and convince Josie to bolt with you, and we can’t have that. We still have plans. You’ll have your fiancée all to yourself tomorrow, but tonight, she’s ours.”
“What exactly do those plans entail?”
“You know. Just fun.”
That wasn’t reassuring at all, but Skye refused to tell me anything more. My thoughts were running amok as I headed inside, back to the guys. Ryker had suggested a strip club, but I’d firmly put my foot down. Not my style.
But what about Josie? Had my cousins gotten her a stripper? The thought drove me insane. I didn’t want any man to put his hands on her, let alone other body parts.
Fucking hell. Why was I feeling possessive? She was my friend. She was helping me out. That was all.
I was lying to myself, and I knew it. This past week, it had become clear just how close to each other we’d be over the next few years, and this morning... fuck. We were going to live in the same house.
“There you are. Tell me you haven’t called Josie,” Ryker said.
“I haven’t called Josie.”
“You’re a shit liar.” He dragged a hand over his face dramatically. “Skye will hand me my ass.”
“Why?”
“Because we were supposed to keep you entertained enough not to call Josie.”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Skye was the one who answered the phone, so you’d better be thorough in preparing your defense.”
***
I arrived at the house at three o’clock in the morning. Josie wasn’t there yet. Despite the long day, I felt full of energy. The light buzz from the alcohol had evaporated, and I was too restless to sleep.
I heard noise at the front door about an hour later. It sounded as if someone was scratching the lock. I didn’t see anyone through the peephole but opened anyway. Josie was bent, holding the key in her hand. She straightened up, batting her eyelashes.
“Umm... had a little trouble finding the lock.”
“They got you drunk.”
Josie pouted, lacing her arms around my neck as I scooped her up in my arms. “They invited all my closest friends. We were twelve. It was crazy. And Tess and Skye were merciless, Hunter. Merciless. I thought I was safe once we’d gotten to the club, but then after we had a few shots, they were at it again. I made a fool of myself.”