“Don’t even think it.”
“Already did,” he said. “But let me rephrase. That girl’s waiting for a ride onyourcock.”
“That’s Danica. You met her at the Artemis. It’s her birthday. I’m here with her and her friends.”
“Shit, the twins? Is that Nikki chick here? Because that got freaky, fast. And not in a good way.”
“No idea.” I grinned as I watched him look around, clearly hoping not to run into Daniella’s friend.
Then his eyes fixed on something behind me and he lifted his chin. “And who’s the doucheface?”
I looked, and Danica’s ex-boyfriend, Carter, had moved into the spot I’d vacated next to her. Swept right in while my back was turned. It was him, for sure. Same designer-shirt-and-douchy-hairstyle combo as last time I saw him.
The fuck was he doing here?
I watched, and… yup. I definitely hated that smarmy, self-satisfied smile of his. Especially when it was directed at my girl.
“‘Doucheface’ is about right,” I told Xander. “See, you and me… we vibe. We’re destined to be in a band together.”
He chuckled. “I thought you didn’t believe in destiny.”
“Huh?”
“I dunno. You were rambling on about destiny and fate and all kinds of shit at your breakup party.”
“Yeah, well. Maybe I do believe in destiny. I mean… I don’t know.” I sipped my beer.
Truth was, looking at Danica made it easy to want to believe in shit like destiny.
I just still wasn’t sure if I’d ever earn enough good karma to deserve her.
“So?” Xander prompted. “Doucheface?”
“That’s her ex.”
“Huh. He’s very… shiny,” said the guy with the slicked-back hair and diamond stud earrings. He also had a tight, sleeveless shirt stretched over his fantastic chest, nipples poking right through. Dude was a slice, and he knew it. “So why’s birthday girl hanging with her ex over there, when you’re over here?”
Great question.
“You gonna stand for that?” he poked, his eyes sparking as if to say,I’d love to see how you deal with this.
Xander always did love stirring up shit.
Wasn’t happening, though. No one was stirring up shit on Danica’s birthday.
“Look,” I told him, “this thing is new, and it’s fucking awesome. Her best friend’s here, and all I ask is you don’t fuck her and forget her, ’cause that shit’s gonna come back on me.”
He grinned. “Hey, you invited me. I can be a gentleman. I mean, I’m not saying I won’t fuck her. How hot is she? Hot, I’m guessing, or you wouldn’t be warning me in advance.”
I kinda rolled my eyes. “Let’s get you a drink.” I clapped him on the shoulder, squeezing just a little too hard, and he chuckled. Then I led the way back to the bar.
Taylor saw us coming and moved out of the way so I could slip in next to Danica. I was quickly coming to like Danica’s best friend.
All the more reason to make sure none of my friends fucked her over.
I nodded my thanks at her. Then she turned right to Xander and said, “Hey. I’m Taylor. What’re you drinking?”
Girl wasn’t shy.
