“Not great.” I gratefully take the water and take a sip. “Not sure if it’s because of the alcohol or the situation I’ve currently put myself in.”
“Yeah, you’ve outdone yourself.” She laughs, resting her chin on her palm as she grins at me.
“Ugh, why did that prick have to show up? He turns me into this…” Raking my fingers through my loose waves, I tug at the ends. “This irresponsible mess.” Sighing, I release my hair and meet Jade’s worried light blue eyes. “I like order. Things always have their place, and I have lists and plans that I don’t deviate from. Why did I allow myself to let him mess with my head and get under my skin?”
“He seems to have that effect on people. Hunter has been a nightmare since he showed up, and don’t get me started on Beck. Lily and I have had to talk him off the ledge. He wanted to go to Ezra’s hotel room last night. I won’t repeat what he wanted to do to him, but I think we would have been bailing him out of prison this morning if we hadn’t calmed him down.”
“I don’t blame him. Ezra was a fucking dick last night. Never have I seen him act like that before.” I soften my voice as I take in her worried expression. “Have you heard from Trixie?”
She reaches across the table and grasps my hand in hers, her smooth warm skin comforting me. “She’s fine. She messaged to say that she would meet us later on as planned.”
“And Ezra?”
“Booked a flight back home for this evening but is apparently glued to my girl’s hip until then.” She rolls her eyes, sighing. “I’m sure he will lurk in a corner somewhere until he leaves. I’d love to see him take on Lily and Grace.” She smirks as she releases my hand.
“I might actually start something just to watch that happen.” I give her a devious smile that she returns.
“I could be up for that.” She scans the rooftop, and I know she’s looking for my brother. Her cheeks flush ever so slightly when her eyes land on him, and I see him give her a look that as his sister I wish I couldn’t see.
“Jesus Christ, do you have to eye fuck my brother in front of me?” I scrunch up my nose as she turns back to me.
“You don’t have to watch.”
“But you’re literally sitting right in front of me.”
“Sounds very much like a you problem.” She shrugs.
“I have many problems right now, Jade.” I huff out a humorless laugh as I watch Leo talking to a stunning blonde in a barely there bikini. And right there is why I know I’ve succeeded in ruining his life for the foreseeable future. The man loves his lifestyle, and now it’s going to do the biggest one-eighty. But also watching how she lightly touches his forearm has an unfamiliar sensation rushing through me.
Jealousy.
“But are you sure about this plan?” Jade’s question brings my attention away from my now—however fake it is—husband.
“Too late now.” I nod toward Leo who is still talking to the blonde. “But it’s not me I’m worried about.”
Chapter 17
Leo
“You should come and join me and my friends,” the blonde who keeps trailing her finger up and down my forearm says, biting the corner of her gloss-covered lips.
Smiling politely at her, I sigh, cupping the back of my neck. “I’m here with my boys.” It doesn’t sit well with me that I’m being hit on while my wife—fake or not—sits a hundred yards away. I’ve glanced over a few times while she’s been talking to Jade, and each time, Ria’s hands are tugging furiously on her glossy waves. She is obviously regretting everything about this trip and the mess I’ve put her in.
“They can come too.” She winks at Kai. “The more the merrier.”
“Umm…” He looks at me to gauge my reaction. “I think…” He clears his throat. “Oh, look, Deacon needs me. Coming, mate.” He scurries off and I mentally count all the ways I’m going to get him back.
“Look, I’m flattered but I’m going to stay with the boys.” I throw my thumb over my shoulder like the dork I am.
“Looks like they’ve all abandoned you.” She gives me a self-satisfied smile, and I spin around frantically, seeing that they have in fact abandoned me.
Fuckers.
“So what do you say?” She reaches up on tiptoes and whispers in my ear, her hot breath tickling my skin.
I don’t fucking want this.
“I best go find them.” I back away and stumble over a chair. “Fuck. Umm, see you.” Dear God, I’m a mess. I’m not a guy that fumbles and doesn’t know how to speak with women. Especially women who look like her. She’s beautiful and is literally offering herself and her friends up on a plate for me, but all I can think is I’m cheating on Ria just by talking to her.
