Page 26 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

That’s probably more of an issue than I think it is.

“The weather has been perfect this weekend,” Marcus comments, keeping the conversation flowing.

“Yeah, what are you girls doing today?” Derek asks Cassidy, giving her what I assume is supposed to be a charming smile.

What the hell is he up to? Didn’t he dump her?

I start to sit forward to say something, but Cassidy’s hand grazes my knee under the table, making me pause.

“We’re going shopping,” Cassidy replies. “I just finished up a big project for work, so I’ve got some spending cash.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Sarah cheers, reaching across the table to squeeze Cassidy’s hands. “I’m getting that purse I’ve been raving about for weeks.”

A faint smirk crosses my face as I catch Cassidy’s subtle dig. She’s finding her footing again. We haven’t rattled her too much.

Derek’s grin turns stiff as the girls chat over him, and I pass Tyler and Marcus a satisfied look. I don’t want Derek to torment Cassidy any more than his presence already will during the wedding festivities.

Without even thinking, I place my hand on Cassidy’s thigh under the table.

Instead of smiling at me, Cassidy stiffens and pushes my hand away, her eyes widening. “What are you doing?”

Her panicked whisper hits me like a punch. She’s right. What the hell am I doing?

Ryan is sitting only a few feet away, and her ex-boyfriend is even closer and has a big mouth.

“Sorry,” I murmur under my breath, my eyes lowering to the table.

“I need to use the restroom,” Cassidy says, abruptly standing. “I’ll be right back.”

I frown to myself as she walks off, uneasiness stirring in my stomach. I thought pretending last night didn’t happen would be easier than this. I thought I’d be able to handle this with no issue. No slip ups. No confusion.

But I was wrong.

Marcus flashes me a confused look, and I can see the question in his eyes.

What happened?

I subtly shake my head before glancing away, only to get the same look from Tyler. If they don’t stop showing their emotions on their faces so much, Ryan is going to notice, and we’re really going to be in some hot water.

If things are tense right now, I can’t imagine how bad things are going to be when we’re all stuck together in Mexico for a week.

Chapter ten

Chapter 10: Tyler

I’m a man who enjoys taking risks every so often, but you won’t ever catch me gambling at a casino.

“There goes another $100,” Jackson laughs into his drink as Ryan hangs his head in defeat at the poker table.

I pat Ryan’s back as we all gather behind him. “Man, you suck at poker.”

“Shut up,” Ryan mutters, watching another player take all the chips he placed on the table.

“He works in finance. He’ll be fine,” Marcus replies, laughter circulating through our small group. Some of the other guys are gambling at other tables or at the slot machines.

Between all the noises and lights, it’s like an adult arcade where you can lose a shit ton more money.

“Cheers to that,” Ryan says, knocking back the rest of his drink.