She finally nods. “Okay, I’ve got this. I’ll meet you by the front door, but do not go outside by yourself, okay?”
“I promise.”
I do as she says and wait near the exit, constantly checking the time on my phone because the closer it gets to the five minutes Wilder says I have before he comes in, the more worried I get.
I have absolutely no doubt that he will do as he says, and that’s not going to be good for either of us.
Thank God, Lennon reappears a minute later, and we dash out the doors into the cool night air.
She’s the first to spot him and starts toward his truck because my head is spinning. Literally, I feel like the girl fromThe Exorcistright now.
I am absolutely not walking in any semblance of a straight line. Lennon’s arm is looped in mine, keeping me upright in my heels.
A drunken giggle spills out of me when I see Wilder’s expression. He looks like he wants to murder me… or maybe kiss me.
Maybe both?
“Maisie…” he mutters when we stop in front of him, and I can’t seem to get the giggles under control.
No judging me. I’m just a girl who has had way too many drinks because it’s my freaking birthday. I get one night to act like a stereotypical college girl.
His gaze darts to Lennon’s, and suddenly, it dawns on me.
“Ohhhh. Shit. I wasn’t supposed to tell you,” I say, turning to glance at my best friend, lifting my hand to cover her eyes. “Shhhhhh… Pretend you have no idea who he is.”
“Maisie, you’re not whispering,” Wilder says with a long, ragged sigh.
Oops. I was trying to whisper though. It’s the thought that counts.
“I’m not going to tell anyone. That includes Saint. But I’m only doing that for my best friend. Because I’d do anything for her.”
“Yeah? You let all of your friends get so fucked-up they can barely walk?”
Oh shit.
I don’t even have the chance to yell at him because Lennon pins Wilder with a hard glare. “Uh, you’re the reason she was going to spend her twenty-first birthday sad and alone. Asshole.”
If I weren’t teetering on the edge of falling over and maybe throwing up, I’d give her a high five. I’m so proud of how fierce she looks right now. That’s my girl.
Wilder just sighs dejectedly. Guess he doesn’t want to fight with her because he’s watching me sway on these heels.
He reaches for me, but Lennon’s already there, steadying me.
Her gaze bounces between us, and she sighs. “This is what Maisie wants, and she can make her own decisions. Don’t misunderstand the situation, Wilder. I don’t care who you are, whether you’re a professional hockey player, a coach, a billionaire—if you hurt her, I’ll punch you in the dick.”
I toss my head back as a laugh pours out of me until the point that my eyes water.
My best friend, who’s all of, like, I dunno, five fourwithher skates on, is standing toe to toe with this man, who’s at least a foot taller than her and could literally pick her up with one arm.
Ask me how I know…
With balls bigger than his.
Or at least she’s acting like they are.
The corner of Wilder’s lips curls into a slight smirk before he nods, expression turning less mean-ish. “Noted.”
Ugh, my head is already starting to hurt.
