“Hold that thought,” Killian said, pointing across the room. “I think we might be workin’ our way up right quick.”
Reese peered around Brantley to see Slade going from table to table with a marker, passing it to everyone and getting them to sign his shirt.
“One point for every signature,” Atticus reminded everyone, grinning as he watched Slade.
“Maybe weshouldtake this to Sixth Street,” Griffin said. “It’s gettin’ good.”
“I’m open to the hotel bar,” Brantley said, looking his way.
“I agree.” Reese looked at RT and Z.
“Prefer it,” Z replied, and RT nodded his agreement.
“I’m sure we can get in as much trouble there as we could anywhere,” Atticus said, watching Slade move from table to table.
“It’s settled,” Baz decided for the group as he walked up, his gaze also across the room, watching as Slade evened the score.
***
JJ’s phone buzzed.
She smiled instantly, nodding at Ava, who was sitting on the first step of the pool. “Can you check it?”
Ava picked up JJ’s phone and tapped the screen.
JJ waited patiently, hoping it was another picture. She’d received several throughout the day, most from Baz as he took snapshots of everyone while they were at the racetrack.
Ava’s expression lit up with amusement. “Magnus was arm wrestling someone.”
JJ moved closer, enjoying the water too much to get out. They’d only been in the pool for almost thirty minutes, and she couldn’t believe the relief she felt in her lower back. It made her want to live in the swimming pool for the rest of her pregnancy.
Ava flipped the phone around so JJ could see the screen.
“Do you wish you were there?” Ava asked when JJ moved back to the spot that allowed her to be up to her chest in water.
“Yes and no,” she admitted. “I’m not a big partier. Never have been.”
“Me neither,” Ava admitted. “Although I enjoy going out from time to time.”
“Doyouwish you were there?” JJ asked Ava.
“A little.” Her smile was sheepish. “I miss them, that’s all.”
JJ knew the feeling. She missed Baz when she wasn’t with him, but she also knew he needed a life of his own. He’d given up so much these past couple of years to be there for her when she was scared to be alone. She felt bad about that.
Moving through the water, JJ enjoyed the free-floating sensation while Ava continued to monitor her phone. When it would chirp, she would look to JJ before checking it.
“They must be at the hotel bar,” Ava told her.
JJ grinned. She figured Brantley and Reese would choose not to go to 6th Street, so she’d told Baz they should hang out at the hotel. It would allow them to complete some of their scavenger hunt tasks while keeping things on the DL.
She felt a twinge in her belly, so she stopped moving. Frowning, she put her hand on her stomach as the tension increased. It wasn’t exactly painful, but she wasn’t fond of the sensation. Dr. Tinder had warned her of something he referred to as Braxton Hicks. He said it would mimic labor contractions and could get uncomfortable, but it would be nothing to worry about. However, he did tell her to time it if she thought she was having a contraction—real or not—and as long as they didn’t get stronger and/or closer together, they were likely Braxton Hicks.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked.
JJ didn’t realize she had moved. Ava was now in the water, walking toward her.
“Just a … uh…” She didn’t know what it was.
