Sterling is sweet, and while I typically appreciate a patient guy who is a decent kisser, I’ve recently learned that occasionally a girl needs to be sexually pillaged too, just to remind her that she has what it takes to steal a man’s breath away. Not that I’ve given Sterling a chance to prove his worthiness in that department, but Liam beat him in this ass race,literally.
While internally beating myself senseless, I somehow manage to polish off this glass of wine. Oh, and here is another waiting for me. Is this woman like watching me guzzle this shit down? She must want me to be drunk. Should I tip her? I mean, I would if I had any cash on me, but Idon’t.
I look around for Dylan because I’m supposed to be watching him rather than focusing on how fast I can drink a glass of wine. I quickly find him, still in the same spot, except now he’s talking to Leelee with a huge cheeseball grin.That’ssocute.
“How’s Pops?”Jadeasks.
“I assume you heard?” Irespond.
“Heardwhat?”
“Your dad said he couldn’t crash, I guess. I’m sure he had reasons for it, though. Don’t worry. We’ll figuresomethingout.”
“Ugh,” Jade groans. “I knowexactlywhy.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t like to clean, but he gets embarrassed about a messy house. He’sweird.”
I’m not sure that fully explains it. I suppose I can understand not wanting a roommate at his age, but Dad is about to be out on his butt tomorrow, and here I am drinking expensive wine on a porch overlooking theocean.
“What’s he going to do?” Sterling asks, entering theconversation.
“I’m not sure. I offered to come home a bunch of times, but he made me promise I wouldn’t. I just feel helpless and guilty, plus I’m worriedabouthim.”
“Your dad doesn’t give up, Jules. He’ll figure something out,”Jadesays.
A loud slapping noise interrupts the conversation. I snap my head around to see where the sound is coming from, finding Liam’s hand on Sterling’sshoulder.
“How’s it hangin’, man?” Liam’s cheeks are red, but he looks so good up close that I’m not paying attention to the tension rising in the small spacearoundus.
“Good, good. We missed you this morning. What happened to ya, eh?” SterlingasksLiam.
“I was with a chick,” he says with a wink and anudge.
“Awww, yeah,” Sterling replies with a hand raised for Liam to slap. “AnyoneIknow?”
Please don’t, Liam. Not here.Notnow.
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Liamthankfullysays.
“I wish I had been so lucky last night,” Sterling says, gritting his teeth through a smile, squeezing my shoulder a littletighter.
I slip out from under his arm and grab Jade by the hand. “Bathroom?”
“I don’t have to go,” she says, regretfully releasingCleary’shand.
“Jade.Now.”
“Ugh, this is like the sexcapades on lover’s island,” Jade mutters as I dragheraway.
I’ve lockedJade and myself into the downstairs bathroom, pinned her against the back of the door, and I’m now staring into her concerned eyes. “I think I’m getting myself into trouble,” Itellher.
“What? What could you have possibly done inaweek?”
“Oh, please, coming from a person playing fuck-buddies with a guy who doesn’t talk, just weeks after coming out of an engagement with the man you intended to spend the rest of yourlifewith.”
“Harsh,Jules,geez.”
