Page 13 of Wild Ever After
When I get there, Jade’s left the group on the dance floor and sits alone at our table.
“Hey,” I say, falling into a chair.
“I think you might need this more than me.” She eyes me curiously and hands me the shot glass in her hand.
I don’t ask questions, just throw it back. It’s sweet, and I cough as it makes my mouth twist up.
“What was that?” I manage to choke out after a sip of water.
“Sex on the beach. Some guy ordered it for me.”
My brows lift. “You were going to drink something some random guy handed you?”
“Relax.” An amused smile tips up the corners of her mouth. “I watched the bartender make it.” She sits back. “Besides, who is going to mess with me when I have half the Wildcats hockey team here to protect me?”
“Guys are assholes, so I doubt that would stop some creep from trying to get you into bed.”
Her brows pinch together with a hint of worry. Fuck. I’m really on a roll tonight. I take a long pull of my beer to calm my nerves.
“I’m sorry. Of course, we’re looking out for you. Have a good time. We’ve got you.”
She lets out a small laugh. “I can take care of myself, but thanks.”
I tip my beer to her in a gesture that I hope says,sorry I’m an ass and you’re welcome.
“How come you aren’t on the dance floor?” she asks me. There’s a taunt in her gaze that tells me she knows it isn’t my scene, but wants to hear me say it.
“I should be asking you the same thing.”
“My feet hurt.”
Instinctively, I let my gaze drop to her feet and the strappy sandals that lace around her ankles. They’re as sexy as the rest of her.
“Ah,” I say, the sound rough in my throat.
“And I was starting to feel like I was in the beginning of an orgy out there.”
Some of the weight on my chest eases as I glance out at my teammates and their significant others. Dakota and Maverick are full-on making out, Leo has his hands on Scarlett’s ass, and Tyler and Piper aren’t even really dancing—just staring into each other’s eyes. And that’s to say nothing of the girl humping Ash’s leg or Jack, who is sitting at a private table with a girl on his lap. Things escalated quickly.
“Sorry about us all showing up and killing girl time.”
“Please, like I didn’t expect this,” she says, and I’m surprised that there’s no irritation in her tone or in her expression. Then she adds, “Leo texted me to make sure it was cool.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No.” She shakes her head and briefly looks over her shoulder at our friends. “I love how in love they all are.”
As if she’s said more than she’s comfortable with, she turns and hangs her head, staring down at the table.
“Are Sam and his friends coming too?”
“No.” She still doesn’t look up at me. “He went on a fishing trip.”
“I’m glad you worked things out.”
She pins me with those big dark eyes and smiles in a way that feels more sad than happy. “Thanks.”
6
