Page 70 of Break the Ice
Happiness.
That’s what it is. A startling break in the dark clouds that brings the world to life.
“Seven letters, no vowels, and an mmms at the end,” I say, fixing my gaze on Jayden’s.
“Technically it’s just an M and an S.” He grins, dropping his eyes to Finley’s thigh, where my hand is still resting. Leaning forward, he looks up at me with the sun deckling his mossy eyes gold in places. “Since you’re so confident, how about we make it interesting?”
“Here we go,” Auguste groans, pushing himself out of the water in one swift move that flickers droplets our way. “I’m out. There will be no belly piercings, dick piercings, nipple piercings...”
“We haven’t gone that far yet,” Jayden cuts him off.
“It’s a matter of time before you or Rio are going around with sparkly nipples,” Auguste throws back, grabbing a towel and drying himself off. “I’m out. I want no part in these sado-masochistic games you play, JJ.”
Finley’s eyes grow wide, begging for more detail.
“Later,” I tell her.
“We’re Comets, Brucey, not fucking cowards,” Jayden calls after him.
Auguste flips him off and heads down the steps to the decking area, yelling, “I have a pup to walk and a smart woman to talk to… oh, and for future reference, I’m a Comet not a fucking moron.”
“Rude,” Jayden coos with an I-actually-don’t-care shrug before he carries on, “Anyway, you guess the word, and I take everyone out for dinner. You don’t, and you buy dinner. My pick because Finley doesn’t know the hidden gems.”
“Out?” Finley asks with a hint of worry. “Likeoutout?”
“Would you like that?”
Finley thinks her answer through before she asks, “Is it safe?”
“You’ll be with me and JJ.”
I glance at him, and he adds, “We’ll take my car. The windows are blacked out so no one can see in the back, and we can call the restaurant in advance to ask for a table out of view.”
“Are you comfortable with it?” Finley asks me.
Honestly? After the incident at the hotel, taking her anywhere is a concerning prospect. But I want to make Finley happy. I want to give her what she’s never had before.
We can’t hide away from The Fellowship the rest of our lives...
“Yes,” I reply.
“So it’s a deal?” Jayden asks.
“It’s a deal.” I hold out my hand, waiting for him to shake on it.
Instead, he spits in his hand and then holds it in front of Finley. “Come on, Lucky.”
“Huh?” Fin eyes him skeptically.
“Spit.”
Her brows pull up into her hairline. “On your hand?”
“Well, yeah. A spit-shake is worth more than a legal binding contract. And I should know, my dad is an attorney.” Jayden grins.
“Umm… Jayden…”
“The quicker you do it, the less gross it is. Bacteria is building every second you hesitate, beautiful…” He catches himself too late, leaving a flicker of worry in his stare while Finley’s cheeks bloom with a rosy flush.
