“Oh, what is it?” I rasp.
Kai holds the phone up so I can see that it’s a message from Seth.
Where are you guys? Do you know what those women made me discuss at the book club? Do you have any idea the things I’ve heard tonight?
Then another message pops up.
I’ve learned things. Horrifying things.
My laugh bursts out of me, and it makes my stomach clench in warning. “Jesus. He’s going to need therapy.”
Kai wipes his eyes. “He’s going to need holy water.” He shakes his head, still grinning. “I’ve heard romance book clubs get wicked. Apparently the men in those books do the most unhinged stuff—stalking, breaking in, growling about ‘mine’—and readers eat it up.” He snorts. “Half of it sounds illegal, and the other half sounds exhausting. Who has time to do all that?” He pauses, then shrugs, grin turning sly. “Although… if she’s into it and it makes her happy, I can see the merit. I’m just saying.”
I try to laugh again, and my body immediately threatens mutiny. I clap a hand over my mouth and gag once, hard.
Kai’s grin turns vicious. “Oh, you are absolutely going to be sick again.”
“Do not speak it into existence,” I warn, voice hoarse.
Kai starts walking, still laughing, and hooks an arm around my back to steer me toward the car. “Come on, let’s get you home before you end up making friends with another dumpster.”
I stumble after him, boots scraping, head spinning in slow circles. “If Seth’s traumatized, tell him I’m sorry I wasn’t there to suffer with him.”
Kai types as we walk, thumbs flying. “I’m telling him you’re currently praying for forgiveness behind a dumpster.”
“That is not what I’m doing.”
Kai looks at me. “You literally just did.”
The cold air hits my face when we step out of the alley and into the open lot. His car sits under a streetlight, and it might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Kai hits the unlock button. The lights flash.
I take two steps toward it, confident for half a second, and then my stomach rolls again, mean and sudden.
I freeze.
Kai stops and watches me with the calm of a man who has seen this movie before. “You okay?”
I swallow hard. “Yep.”
He raises his brows. “That’s a lie.”
I point at the Mustang. “Just get me in the car.”
Kai opens the passenger door, then pauses, phone buzzing once more. He glances down and starts laughing all over again.
“What now?” I wheeze.
Kai reads, then looks up at me, eyes bright with evil. “Seth says if he has to hear one more woman explain why monsters are the superior choice, he’s driving into the woods and living off-grid.”
I bark out a laugh and immediately gag. “Son of a—” I clamp a hand over my mouth and bend at the waist.
Kai pats my back, still laughing. “You laugh, you lose, Carter.”
I glare at him, eyes watering, and manage one last thought before I ruin another patch of pavement.
If I survive tonight, I’m never drinking again.
