Cade pursed his lips. “No, you probably don’t.”
“Besides, flying an F-16 isn’t even remotely the same as flying a jumbo.” I chuckled. “Being up there, flying that fast—there’s nothing like it.” Although, as of last night, there was one thing that might even be better than flying at mock speeds.
“Adrenaline junkie.” Cade muttered.
I scoffed. “You’re one to talk.” Cade had grown up fighting, drawing blood just for the hell of it, and honestly wrestling around with him was probably the reason I was still alive. Cade was nearly as thick as Theo, but he had an inch of height on all of us, including me, making him lean enough to be fast and bulky enough to be dangerous. I’d seen him in the ring, and whatever was driving him was way more than adrenaline and disciplined training—he had something to prove, no doubt a result of his hard upbringing. Cade hid it well though, all behind that lazy grin of his.
Cade chuckled and took a sip of his amber drink. “How long you in town for?”
“Tonight’s my last night.” I said. “Had to make it out for the birthday redo.” Since I was the one who had ruined Sara’s birthday in the first place. I still felt terrible about that.
Liam chimed in over the music to Cade. “We got a cake for later. If you’ve got time, you should stick around.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Cade said, giving Sara a long look that made me grit my teeth.
Ohhh fuck no. When had that started?
I curled and uncurled my fist, trying tolook unbothered as Liam leaned in. “By the way, I know your time is limited when you’re in town, and I know it really means a lot to her that you showed up.” Liam clapped me on the back, looking genuinely appreciative. “You’re a great friend. To both of us. This has been a hard year, and I’ve been dealing with a lot of bullshit lately. It’s just—it’s nice to know I can always count on you.” He added, “Especially with her.”
I finally looked at Liam, and my hands went instantly clammy. “Of course.” I swallowed hard, doing a piss-poor job of pretending like I hadn’t just fucked his sister sideways with her own dildo, less than twelve hours ago. “I had to make up for ruining her birthday in the spring.” I shrugged, panic rising in my chest.
Right on cue, the girls started sliding out of the booth one by one, with temptation itself headed straight my way.
“It’s all good.” Liam nodded, looking relieved. “She just needed a little time, I think. She seems like she’s finally bouncing back. Actually, she’s been really happy all day.”
I bet she has.
“Yeah, she looks good.” I agreed casually, wondering how the hell I was going to keep what I’d done from Liam. “Healthier.” I quickly added, tamping down a dangerous smirk. I felt guilty, I really did. I hated lying to my best friend and betraying his trust, but selfishly, keeping it a secret… made it that much hotter.Fuck. I was definitely going to hell.
I wasn’t an idiot though. There were so many ways I could get screwed over. If Sara decided she didn’t want this, I knew exactly who Liam would side with. And even if she decided she did want me, Liam might never accept it. I could end up with everything I’d ever dreamed, or absolutely nothing at all. The realization was sobering.
Over the years, Liam had always been incredibly protective of her, and he’d been very clear about the rules—nobody touched his sister unless they wanted to lose their teeth. And seeing the way Cade was currently looking at Sara—I was fucking glad forthe rules. Rules were great.Cade especiallyshould remember those rules. We all should.Except for me, of course.
Jules nudged Liam’s arm, checking in. “Hey, how’s everything with Gina?” Liam grimaced and shook his head.
Meanwhile, I tried to act casual and uninterested, but I could literally smell Sara hovering nearby, and when I finally stole a glance, my vision went red.
Fucking Cade.Now he had his arm slung around Sara’s shoulders!
I clenched my fist, knowing I couldn’t say a damn thing with Liam standing right there.
“I thought your birthday was in June?” A strand of Cade’s jet black hair fell over his face as he leaned down and rumbled into Sara’s ear. “If I would have known we were celebrating you tonight, I would have gotten you a gift, gorgeous.”
Sara rolled her eyes. “My birthdayisin June.” She adjusted her short, shimmery green dress. Fuck, she looked good tonight. “I wasn’t feeling so hot on my actual birthday, and if I don’t let them pretend that this is my party tonight. They’ll just keep doing this, planning more fake parties, until I cooperate.”
“Maybe you’re just worth celebrating twice.” Cade crooned, and I wondered if I was going to be sick.
Tonight, Sara had her hair up in a high ponytail with curly strands hanging out around her face, and I couldn’t help wondering if I’d get to wrap it around my fist later tonight. “I’m going to get a drink.” I extended my hand to Sara, more than ready to steal her away. “You want one?”
Before Sara could answer. “I just topped her off.” Cade said, not moving his eyes from her face, keeping her locked snugly into his side.
“Great.” I bit out tightly, wanting to peel the skin off Cade’s hand as it gripped the bare shoulder I’d had in my mouth last night.
Jules was still talking to Liam when Ariana and Riley came up. “You want to come to the bar and get a drink with us?”
“Duh,” Jules chimed, and they linked arms and headed into the packed crowd.
“Coming, Carter?” Ariana asked over her shoulder.
