Page 70 of Rules, Roses, and Rivals
“I will when you stop flinching every time you look at him.”
I didn’t respond. Because he wasn’t wrong. The fact he could offer the response in a tone that wasn’t one of reprimand but filled with enough sympathy and teasing made it easier to swallow.
As we reached the edge of the group, I felt my mouth stretch into a smile. I had no idea if it looked genuine, but I was pretty sure my face was about to cramp from the effort.
“Hey,” I said, trying for casual. “Hope we’re not late.”
Jake didn’t answer. The ice stung.
Coop nodded, eyes flicking down and back up like he couldn’t help himself.
Bubba gave me a grunt that might’ve been a greeting. Though, to his credit, he also struggled to give me a smile. Probably didn’t look any better than mine, but it was there.
Archie stood, fluid and smooth, and kissed my cheek like we were old Hollywood friends reunited after scandal.
“Frankie, darling,” he purred. Alarm bells went off in my head. It was easy to forget just how dangerous Archie could be. “You’ve outdone yourself. Mathieu, welcome to the chaos.”
“I feel very… observed,” Mathieu said lightly, releasing my back so I could sit. Only, now I had to figure outwhere.
Between Coop and Bubba? No.
Next to Jake? Hilarious.
The empty lounger near the bar? Safe, but cowardly.
I perched on the edge of a chair across from the boys instead, tugging the sarong tighter around my waist.
“I like your suit,” Coop said, voice a little rough.
I met his gaze, surprised. “Thanks.” Then, softer, “It was kind of a leap.” Bikinis were never my thing. I wasn’t altogether comfortablenow.
“You stuck the landing.”
Jake made a noise like he was choking on sarcasm.
Mathieu shot him a look, then smiled at me. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I—yeah, thanks.”
He left with a parting brush of his hand on my shoulder, and suddenly I felt even more exposed. Like the only thing between me and an emotional firing squad had just abandoned me.
Jake stood too abruptly. “I’m getting another beer.”
“You just got a Coke,” Bubba said.
“Now I want a beer.” Then he walked off like we were personally offensive.
Archie sank back into his seat. “Well. That went well.”
“I told you not to bring him,” Coop muttered.
“You didn’ttellme.” I didn’t mean to snap, but it still came out that way. Sucking in a deep breath, I fisted my temper. I didn’t come here to fight. “Youasked. Nicely.”
“You knew what it meant.” While the look he gave me bordered on scathing, I shrugged.
“I did. I also ignored it.” They brought their girlfriends places. How many parties had they thrown with them there? Just a few weeks earlier at Bubba’s birthday, they’d all been there and it wasn’t like Sharon and Maria weren’t herenow.
They all stared at me. Or near me. Or over me. It was a miracle I hadn’t melted into the pool from sheer discomfort.
