“Want to join us for poker?” Seph came over, carrying back a tray of empty shot glasses. “Tonight is all about how much money I can take off everyone. You’re welcome to also line my pockets.”
I hadn’t played poker since the band’s last tour.
“I doubt I’ll be lining your pockets.”
Seph grinned, the same smile I’d seen plenty of times already. “Join in the shots. It’s a good way to warm up.”
I limited myself to a couple, although no one there was knocking them back too quickly. Two brothers, Killian and Nick, were sticking to beers until they’d spoken to their kids. Max left the table to go and speak with his fiancée and some talk about rugby started up.
“I take it this tournament is men only?” The voice was familiar.
I felt an invisible vice grab my balls.
“Open to all, Soph. No gender restrictions.” Seph had been shuffling the cards for about ten minutes already. “Happy to take anyone’s money.”
“You make yourself sound like a whore.” She sat down next to him. I saw her painted nails and slender hands. I didn’t imagine what they’d be like touching me, unless they were tightened around my neck, because that was the only place she’d be likely to put them.
“We all know Seph’s a manwhore,” Jackson, another Callaghan brother, said. “He’s just happy to give it away for free. Did you actually know the name of the last girl you slept with?”
Seph shrugged. “Lianna. I always get their names.”
“Just never their numbers.” That was Callum, the fourth Callaghan brother. I was trying to pretend Sophie didn’t exist.
“So the game’s open to all.” Sophie again. “Given that you crashed Victoria’s hen party and spoiled what we had planned.”
Why wasn’t she having a night time swim or plaiting her friend’s hair?
“What did you have planned?” Max was too quick.
Sophie shrugged. Smiled. “A little entertainment that you definitely wouldn’t have appreciated. We’ve had to postpone it to when we have the real party back in London.”
Max. “I need to know what was involved.”
Sophie. “Just what you’d do to celebrate a future bride’s final nights of freedom.”
I could hear the teasing in her voice, but Max couldn’t.
“I’m going to find Victoria.”
There was a roar of laughter as he left.
Jackson shook his head. “She’s going to tear him a new one if he storms in like that. Sophie, that’s probably world war three you’ve just started.”
“All on her orders.” She shrugged.
Her hair was tied up in one of those messy bun things and her skin looked clear. Noticing how pretty she was irritated me. She irritated me.
Jackson laughed. “I’m tempted to listen outside Vic’s door. But then, you can’t plan for what you’ll hear.”
Sophie took the pack of cards from Seph’s hands and placed them on the table. “I’d leave them be. Vic was restless this afternoon. I think she’s probably glad Max’s here – otherwise she’d have been spending about two hours on the phone to him anyway. Are we having this game or not?”
“Go ahead. Deal.” My words sounded too much like a challenge.
For the first time since she sat down, Sophie looked at me and gave a smile that was too fucking knowing.
“Are you sure you know how to play?” She looked up at me through long eyelashes. I knew they weren’t real. I’d slept with women whose lashes had looked decent in the evening but by the time they were leaving my room in the morning they were carrying them or the two caterpillar like strips were next to my sink.
“I think I can manage.” I didn’t rise. No point.
