“Zombies eat everything,” Carson interjects. “They aren’t wasteful. A bag of dicks would be like popcorn to them.”
“Can we please stop talking about bags of dicks?” Wilder mutters, his controller looking tiny in his monster hands. “It’s fucking morbid.”
“Yeah, dude.” I arch a brow and nod. “We’re talking zombies here. It’s all fucking morbid.”
We continue playing and chatting about nothing in particular for a few more hours before the front door of the apartment opens and Rylee, Grace, and Skyler come strolling inside. They’re chatting excitedly as they come into the living room.
“Hey, ladies,” Zander greets, pausing our game. “How’s Stacey and the baby?”
Grinning, Rylee slips into his lap and drapes one arm around his shoulders, flipping her long blonde hair over hers.
“They’re great! Little Henry is so damn cute, and Stacey was looking healthy and is recovering really well, especially given how dramatic and quick the birth was..”
“Oh, that’s good news,” Jensen says as Grace snuggles up next to him on the couch, blue eyes sparkling up at him as she kisses his cheek.
“We’re going to put some ready-to-cook meals together for them to hold them over for the next couple weeks,” she tells us.
Carson snorts, grabbing Skyler around the waist and pulling her down onto his lap before propping his chin on her shoulder. She pushes her glasses up her nose and snuggles into his embrace.
“I’m down to help make lasagnas,” he declares. “Better make a shit ton. With how much Owen can eat, you ladies better be prepared to cook for an army.”
Skyler chuckles and pats his cheek. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head. We’re very aware of how much all you beasts can eat. It’s like you’ve got black holes instead of stomachs.”
Carson gives her a squeeze and waggles his brows. “Haven’t heard you complain about myeatingabilities before. Should we go home so I can remind you how ravenous I really am?”
“Ewwwww,” Rylee groans, then giggles. “Not when there are zombies on the TV!”
“Calm down, you horndogs,” Jensen chuckles, then looking up at Grace, asks, “You ready to go home?”
She shrugs and kisses the tip of his nose. “We can go whenever. I’m in no rush.”
It seems like the girls are here to stay, which pretty much means boys night is over. It’s fine, and I like hanging out with the ladies, but I’m in such a weird place right now and don’t know if being around all these lovey-dovey couples is good for me. Maybe I should go to Élysée and blow off some steam. Thinking about finding a girl at the club, though, doesn’t really appeal to me, which is weird. I suppose I’m so consumed with my family bullshit that I’m just not feeling it. I can’t let my asshole little brother get the best of me, and the stress of that leaves little room for anything else in my mind.
The truth is, whenever I think about hooking up, I picture Sutton. If only she’d agreed to my proposition. Our night together was so good, and our chemistry so undeniable, that a pretend relationship with her wouldn’t be the worst thing. We wouldn’t have sex, because that would make things way too complicated, but I think we’d get along really well. Plus, she’s already friends with all these weirdos, so I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting along with everyone.
Even though the engagement wouldn’t be real, she’d be fun to spend time with. We could be genuine friends, and maybe even have more nights like the one we spent together in California.
Plus, the guy she’s supposed to marry is a fucking creep and the thought of him anywhere near her makes my blood boil. If only she’d said yes…
“Oh my gosh!” Rylee suddenly exclaims. “I forgot to tell you guys!”
Grace’s eyes widen and she laughs. “I forgot too, but I need to ask Carson…”
“Ask me what?” Carson frowns.
“Sutton is coming to town!” Rylee cries, throwing her arms up. Zander quickly catches her before she goes tilting back off his lap. “She called while you guys were at practice and we said she could stay at Grace’s old place!”
“Myplace,” Carson grumbles.
Skyler chuckles. “Whatever, it’s going to continue being a revolving door, so you can’t get rid of it.”
“How long’s she staying for?” Zander asks.
“No idea.” Rylee shrugs, that wide smile still in place. “She sounded super excited, though, and I think it’s something work-related. Who cares? She’s coming to Denver!”
Sutton is coming to Denver, huh? A rush of excitement moves through me, but I’m careful not to let it show. Still, what are the odds? I was just thinking about her… though honestly, I haven’t stopped thinking about her since California. The image of her in her gorgeous gown, looking like a fucking queen at the gala is seared in my mind. Now she’s coming here, as if I’ve somehow summoned her through sheer will and desire.
“When will she get here?” I question, keeping my tone innocently curious.
