Page 264 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
I quickly shot Cole a text.
He didn’t respond. And he always responded right away. Since the stupid asshole was my friend. I shook my head. I didn’t know why I referred to him so harshly. He really was a great guy. And him not responding was a good thing. It probably meant he was wherever Chastity and Ash were. I swallowed hard.
I didn’t want to think about Cole’s hands all over my girl. It was bad enough picturing Mr. Frost’s hands on her. But at least I knew they weren’t being intimate. Which was also infuriating because what the actual fuck? Ash had my mind scrambled.
Penny came over and gave me a hug. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m grand.”
She gave me a weird look. “Are you though?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Brooklyn sighed. “He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
Penny shook her head. “Still? Tanner, you know you can talk to us about anything, right? We’re here for you.”
That was very sweet. But they couldn’t help me. Only Chastity could. “I know,” I said. “But really, everything is going to be fine.”
Penny and Brooklyn gave each other concerned looks.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I stood up and grabbed one of the discarded sticks off the ground. “On guard.” I pointed it at Jacob.
Jacob and Scarlett both grabbed their own sticks. And the three of us started battling across the family room. Jacob let Scarlett stab him, even though I knew he could have blocked the attack. The two of them were adorable together. I didn’t know Axel very well. But there was no way that Jacob wasn’t going to beendgame for Scarlett. #HoesBeforeBros. I shook my head. I’d been spending too much time with Chastity recently.
I smiled as Scarlett tried to help Jacob to his feet. But he pulled her down onto the carpet and they both erupted into giggles.
My mind never seemed to stop thinking about true love matches. Maybe I should preoccupy my time while I waited for Chastity to destroy Ash’s engagement. Nigel kept pestering me about finding a match for Frankie... Nah. My matchmaking days were over. Nigel could do that himself if he wanted. And by “do that” I meant “tap that.” Because the little chap was smitten with Frankie for sure.
“Where is Rob?” asked James. “Wasn’t he supposed to be here? He was supposed to give me an update on a new Hunter Tech project earlier, but I never heard from him.”
Matt shrugged. “He was supposed to be here.”
“Maybe he heard I was here and decided not to come,” I said.
James shook his head. “When are the two of you going to admit that you’re friends?”
“Never. Because we aren’t.”
James laughed. “I swear Rob said the exact same thing to me the last time I brought it up to him.”
“I don’t think we ever say theexactsame thing.” I wasn’t a pauper.
“You really do though,” said Penny.
Brooklyn nodded in agreement.
“Nonsense. Do I sound like Young Robert to you, Chloe?” I looked down at her in my arms. She smiled up at me. “Chloe agrees with me.”
Matt laughed. “I think Chloe would like it if her uncles all got along.”
“I believe James, Robert, and Mason all do get along. And those are her uncles. I’m her abuelo.”
Matt laughed again.
“Sorry we’re late,” said Bee as she let herself in. “Nova spit up in the car ride over so we had to go back so I could change.” Mason walked in carrying Nova.
“You could have just borrowed something of mine,” said Brooklyn as she gave them each a hug.
