Page 56 of Infatuation

Josh laughs. “Oh no! Stubborn Kat won’t get off the couch and it’s already noon.”

“Damn it, Stubborn Kat! She won’t chase the ball of yarn,” I add. “No matter how many times you throw it for her.”

“Chase a mouse?” Reed says. “Hell no. Stubborn Kat just painted her claws.”

“Damn that, Stubborn Kat,” Josh adds.

“Stubborn Kat won’t doanythingyou want her to do—asusual. Aw, gosh, Stubborn Kat!” Will says.

We all laugh hysterically.

“So, hey, guys,” Reed says, “I’m throwing a little party in the penthouse suite right now. The guys in Red Card Riot just got into town for their show at the Garden Arena tomorrow night, and they’re ready to blow off some steam tonight. Plus, we’re celebrating Will coming on board. You two wanna join the party?”

Josh looks at me for confirmation and I nod furiously.

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“Hey, isn’t Henn in town with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, call that little fucker and tell him to join us.”

“I doubt he’ll come. He’s working on an important job tonight.”

“Well, shit, man.” Reed looks at his watch. “It’s almost two. Call him and see if he’s done for the night. It’s not a raging party ’til Peter Hennessey breaks out his dance moves.”

Both guys laugh hysterically.

“Oh man,” Josh says, shaking his head. “One of the simple pleasures in life. I’ll call that little fucker right now.”

Seventeen

Kat

When Josh and I walk through the door of Reed’s penthouse suite, along with Reed, Will, and Carmen, we join a raging party already in progress in the most magnificent hotel suite I could ever imagine. The interior is fit for a sheik—twice the size of Jonas and Sarah’s suite—plus, French doors at the far side of the massive main room reveal a private terrace and swimming pool outside.

I glance around, my heart racing. Insanely attractive people are milling around, lounging, laughing, swigging drinks, smoking pot, making out—and I’d say half of them are at least vaguely recognizable to me from my near-constant consumption of celebrity gossip.

Reed motions to two young guys on the couch smoking pot—a strawberry blondie with piercings and tattoos and a dark-haired hottie with striking, cobalt blue eyes—and they stride over to Reed and bro-hug him.

“Hey, man,” the dark-haired hottie says to Reed, hugging him.

“How was Dallas?” Reed asks.

“Fucking awesome,” dark-haired-hottie says. “Great crowd. It still gives me chills every time an entire arena sings along to a song I wrote.” He grins adorably.

Reed pats his cheek. “Get used to it, Baby Dino. Where are the other guys?”

“Around here somewhere. Probably passed out. It’s been a long-ass day.”

Reed addresses our small group. “Everyone, this is Dean Masterson and C-Bomb from Red Card Riot. RCR is playing tomorrow night at the MGM Grand—lemme know if any of you want tickets to the show.”

Will and Carmen instantly leap at the offer, thanking Reed profusely, while I jump up and down, tugging on Josh’s arm.

Josh laughs at my exuberance. “Looks like Kat’s in for sure. But I’m not sure what the fuck we’ve got going on tomorrow night—I’m in town for this thing with my brother.” Josh looks at Will and Carmen. “If it turns out I can’t go, can Kat go with you guys?”

Oh. It didn’t occur to me we might be tied up tomorrow night with our mission to take down The Club, whatever the heck that means. “Oh, no, Josh, that’s okay,” I mumble. “I wouldn’t go without you.”

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