Once again, I wonder how life seems to have moved on around me.Once upon a time, Cassidy was known as Little Morgan and was chasing after all the big kids with Kenzie.Now she's engaged to her brother's childhood best friend, and they are expecting their first child together.
Brody and Cassidy leave hand-in-hand, and I catch Tessa watching them, not the kind of look that’s jealous, but the kind that aches quietly.
I want to say something.Ask her what that look means.Instead, I keep my mouth shut.
Drinks come out.Laughter builds.Adam appears behind Tessa, calling herT.He leans down, ruffling her hair like they’ve known each other for years.I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does.
“Smells good,” he teases, sniffing at her hair.“What’d you use, sunshine?”
She laughs, tipping her head back to look at Adam, “Leave-in conditioner and coconut oil.Marcus’ daughter was worried we’d both end up looking like dandelions after the lake.”
Chase laughs, low and suggestive.“Wouldn’t mind seeing you like that.”
Something ugly curls in my gut.I look away before I do or say something stupid.
When I glance back, Eli’s watching me.
He knows that look.Always has.
Music kicks up, something upbeat, familiar, and Anders sweeps in, offering his hand to Tessa.She grins, lets him pull her up.
McKenna grabs Kenzie, and within seconds, the dance floor’s a blur of movement.
Adam drops into Tessa's empty chair, calling for another round.“What’s up, Captain?Thought you’d be halfway through the tequila by now.”
“Pacing myself,” I mutter.
He grins.“You?Since when?”
Jensen laughs, and I shoot him a glare.Adam leans back, eyeing me.“Heard enough about you in the papers.Tell me, what really went down with the blonde?”
The question stings more than it should.
“Depends which version you want,” I say, voice low.“The one the media wrote or the one where I got cheated on and left for a bigger bank account?”
Chase returns then, sliding back into his seat, quiet and calm as always.
Adam smirks.“And the new season?You ready for it?”
I’m about to answer when I hear myself say something completely different:
“What’s the deal with every guy in this town and Tessa?”
Adam chokes on his drink.Jensen bites back a grin.Eli’s expression hardens immediately.
“Jesus, Carson,” Adam says, wiping his mouth.“Jealous much?”
“I’m not jealous, just curious if she's making the rounds.”I know I fucked up as soon as the words leave my lips, but I don't get a chance to correct myself.
Eli cuts me off, leaning in close, voice low and sharp.“Watch your fucking mouth when you talk about her.You don’t know shit about Tessa.”
I blink, trying to walk this whole fucked up conversation back.“No, I...”
“And you’re one to talk,” he adds.“How many nameless bunnies have you burned through since Brielle ditched you?”
I open my mouth, close it again.Adam mutters something about checking a keg and disappears.Eli shakes his head and stalks off toward the back.Even Jensen is done with my sorry ass.
It’s just Chase and me now.
