“They are notsexrules. They’re roommates-with-benefits rules,” I huff, feeling defensive of my life choices. As great as the sex is, getting in bed with Trey Bennett is probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
“Roommates-with-benefits? Sounds kinky, if you ask me.” She winks before her face turns more serious. “You’re sure about this? He’s our friend, and Gran loves him. Maybe it could be more than casual?”
“No. Absolutely not. We’re just having some fun until he leaves.” I tug on a loose thread of my cut-off shorts, affirming that’s the truth, and it has to stay that way.
“Alright. But we’re getting coffee soon. I have more questions.”
I mumble a non-committal response.
She purses her lips and grabs her drink but lets the subject drop for the evening. “Come on, let’s see what the guys are going on about now.” We can hear laughter through the door and the muffled sound of Trey’s voice.
Outside, Trey is in a chair with his body positioned like he’s sitting in a vehicle, bracing for impact, holding an imaginary oh-shit handle. His cowboy hat is off, blond hair tousled, like he’s already been animatedly telling this story.
“And then—I shit you not—she jumps this hill, going mock fuck, knowing nothing about what’s on the other side, and I could feel my soul leaving my body. Meanwhile, I look over at her, and she has this maniacal grin on her face and lets out the most hysterical laugh I have ever heard in my life.” He swipes his hand through his already-messy hair, pushing it out of his face. He doesn’t notice I’ve stepped outside. “I thought once we survived the landing it would be okay, but of course not. She whips a doughnut so hard sherolls us. Literally rolled us completely over. The only thing saving my life was the roll cage. And what does she do? She laughs! Again! She should be studied, because it’s not normal behavior.”
Chet’s eyes are wide, like he was actually there. I don’t know how much Carson has had to drink, but he’s slumped in his chair, laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes. I haven’t seen him laugh like that in years. I won’t tell them, but it’s worth Trey wildly exaggerating the story to see Carson’s normally-subdued behavior this bright.
I think Cody is actually crying, shoulders shaking in silent laughter while he’s pinching the bridge of his nose. Rein sits at his feet, looking around, not sure what to think of these lunatics.
“You didn’t?” Kacey gasps, looking over at me, causing everyone to notice we’re back.
“That’s what a roll cage is for!” I defend myself, my eyes shooting daggers at Trey.
“Well, it sounds like you learned an important lesson we all learned years ago.Never, ever, let Jessie drive,” Carson tells Trey through laughter.
“Pish posh. He was perfectly safe. Plus, it wassomuch fun. You have to come next time.” I bounce on my toes.
“Sounds like that’s exactly what you did afterwards,” Kacey mumbles under her breath.
I elbow her in the ribs. “Multiple times, but I don’t think he wants that story,” I say low enough no one but she can hear me.
She scrunches her nose and grabs a chair.
“No one isperfectly safein a vehicle with you,” Carson retorts, oblivious to our sidebar conversation.
“You’re the one who taught me to drive.”
“No, I attempted to teach you. You were the worst student on the face of the Earth.”
Chet laughs at that.
“How rude. I’m a great student.”
“The stories I could tell would haunt your dreams,” Carson tells Trey.
Bold choice to threaten me with old stories.“Listen here, if we want to tell stories, how about the time I drove you home. You were drunk, had just turned thirty-three—”
“How about we don’t,” he clips, glaring at me.
Ha, I win.
Twenty minutes later, we’re at the table eating when Cody asks, “I heard Trey’s story, but what about you, Jessie? How was Arizona?”
“It was fun. Besides driving the dune buggy, I went on a hike one day, and we were put up in a super cute little remote Airbnb.”
“It even had a hot tub. That was my favorite part,” Trey cuts in.
I kick him in the shin under the table.
