“His dick is a beast. Like seriously, it’s the biggest cock I have ever seen, and I have seen big cocks. Unfortunately, he also knows what to do with it.” She glares at him as she emits these little dreamy sounds, and that is true multitasking talent.
“That sounds positively horrific.” I fight a smile.
She looks at me when she has given up giving him the evil eye. “It is. This is a major problem because he has ruined me for all others, and now I can’t stop thinking about how hot the sex was, and he fucking knows, and he’s all down for a repeat and turning all possessive and shit which is crazy ’cause hello”—she points at herself—" Lust and Envy slut here. It’s making my skin crawl, and okay, my lady balls might be salivating at the prospect of round eight, but I refuse to be ruled by my hormones!”
“Breathe, babe. You need to draw air into your lungs.” I laugh as she pants while scowling at her fiancé. “Shit, that sounds like a truly terrible problem.”
She punches me in the arm. “It is. He’s still a giant asshole. His monster cock doesn’t magically fix his dysfunctional personality.”
“I’ve missed you,” I quietly say.
“Girl, I’ve missed you too.”
We stare at one another.
“I won’t ask if I’m forgiven, but could we just hang out?” she asks, hope written all over her pretty face.
I can stay mad at her and cut my nose off to spite my face or find it in my heart to forgive her. She has been a good friend to me, and there were extenuating circumstances. Jase and I are no longer together. The damage is done, and there’s no going back. But I can work to repair things with Bree, to rebuild the trust, and I want to. “Yeah, I would really like that.”
She squeals, pulling me into a hug before stiffening. “Uh, oh, trouble at nine o’clock.”
I whip my head left as Ares approaches like a dark warrior hellbent on whisking me off into the night. “We should go,” he gruffly says, shielding me with his large body.
“Why?”
“It’s way past your bedtime, and I’m tired.” He fakes the worst ever yawn while tucking me under his arm. “Snuggle into my chest, and I’ll get us out of here.”
“Shit.” Bree’s expletive confirms Ares strange behavior is an attempt to hide something from me.
“Whatever it is, I’m not hiding from it,” I say, shucking out from under his arm.
ChapterForty-Eight
Ashley
“Ican’t believe he’s gone there,” Bree says, staring at the open doorway with her mouth trailing the ground.
“He’s an immature punk and predictable as shit.” Ares slides his arm protectively around my waist.
I follow their line of sight, already suspecting what I will find. Hot, slicing pain glides through skin and bone, flaying me on the inside as I watch Chad kiss and grope Julia in the hallway.
“I can’t say I’m surprised. He watched me fuck his enemy. Now he wants me to see him fuck mine.”
“He’s an idiot and he was never worthy of you,” Ares says. “Say the word, and I’ll flatten him. He’s been knocking back beers like they’re going out of fashion. One punch, and it’ll be lights out.”
“What is with you?” I yank my hand from his. “Violence is not the answer.”
“I’m with Ares on this one.” Bree looks over at my stepbrother. “How about you throat punch him and I’ll kick her in her conniving cunt?”
“Deal.”
“No deal,” I refute even though it’s very tempting. I will adopt the moral high ground and leave with my head held high. I won’t let either of them see how much this hurts me. I grab my purse from the end table. “What was it you said to me on the way in?” I ask Ares.
A slow smile spreads over his mouth.
“Chad is a free agent now. He’s not doing anything wrong except letting his anger drive poor judgment. I know he can’t stand her, and he’ll hate himself tomorrow. If he thinks it’ll even the score or make him feel better, he’ll soon realize it won’t.”
I turn and kiss Bree on the cheek. “I’ll text you tomorrow, and we’ll do something.”
