I keep playing the game, refusing to make eye contact with him while I talk to Adrian.

“So why did you bail on me today?” I tease.

He shuffles his feet. “I wasn’t allowed out to play,” he winces.

“Huh, what does that mean?” He leans in and lowers his voice so that no one else can hear us. “Josh said if he can’t spend time with you then I’m not allowed to either.”

I frown, not understanding his statement. What does that mean?

“Josh can spend time with me—he just doesn’t want to,” I snap.

Adrian winces and nods. “By the way,” he whispers. “Josh hasn’t told his brothers about,” he points his glass at me. “You know,” as he nods his head.

“I thought so. Why not?”

He shrugs. “He’s got it in his head it’s really wrong.”

I scowl. “We are not hurting anyone, Adrian.”

He smiles. “I know, I thought you were ok with it. Josh, however, isn’t.” I take a gulp of my drink without tasting it. Adrian gets his phone out of his pocket and reads the text. He smiles. “I’m going to the bar,” he gestures.

“Ok,” I smile. I turn back to Cam and Bridget’s conversation although I’m not in it. I feel my phone vibrate in my bag and I pull it out to check.

Hello x

It’s Joshua. My eyes immediately shoot up to him. He dips his head and gives me a stifled smile. I text back:

Hello

My phone beeps again:

Are you purposely not returning my kiss?

Hmm, what does that mean? Why would he even notice no kiss? This is honestly the most confusing man on the planet. I don’t know what to text so I just look up at him and shrug my shoulders. He gives me a sad smile; he knows I’m cranky. Well, tough titties for him. What does he expect? Bridget thankfully reappears through the crowd with a round of margaritas. Good timing Bridge. How in the hell am I supposed to stand two metres from him and not talk to him all night? This isn’t punishment for him. I’m punishing my stupid self. I look around the club and notice most of the female population eyeing our group of men. I look back at the boys and I smile. Of course they attract attention. Look how gorgeous the four of them are. They are all very alpha male, even Adrian who’s so masculine and good–looking he definitely defies the camp gay boy image. My phone beeps again:

Nice dress

I read the message and smile as I bite my lip—this hard–to–get act is wearing thin on me already. I look up and very deliberately do a pirouette to show him the full package. He gives me a carnal smile, his eyes drop down the length of my body and he cracks his neck. Jackpot, there it is.

Abbie pulls me by the hand. “Come on. We are dancing,” she says as she heads towards the stairs.

“I will meet you down there.” A bartender walks past us with a tray of drinks and I have an idea. “Excuse me, can I ask you to do me a favour?” He looks around.

“Sure.”

I pull $20 out of my purse. “Do you see that man over there in the navy blazer?” He looks around. “No, over there near the wall.” I point with my chin. “Pink check shirt.”

“Oh yes,” he smiles, “he’s hot.”

“I know,” I smirk. “Can you go over and discreetly give him this money and tell him the lady in the black dress and red lipstick would like to place him on layby?”

He smiles at me as he frowns, “Really?”

“Yes, please.” I pull a whiny face at him. He heads off towards Joshua and I stand still watching while he taps him on the shoulder and whispers into his ear. Joshua dips his head to listen and then looks up as the bartender discreetly points me out. He smiles as he takes the money from the bartender and sticks it in his pocket. I smile and bite my lip as our eyes lock. He’s giving me that look. You know the one, the one I love. Come fuck me it screams and, boy, it’s smoking hot. I head towards the stairs to dance feeling quite proud of myself and halfway down the stairs my phone beeps again.

Layby Receipt

I smile broadly and stop still. Ow—some idiot bangs into the back of me.

Last visited: Page 67 of Stanton Box Set

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