Page 124 of Seven Year Itch
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I glance at him in the rearview mirror. “Everly might have some plans for you.”
“Everly?” He frowns, looking completely confused, and I can’t help but laugh. I’m guessing Luke will discover Everly’s extracurricular activities in due time.
My smile falls when I realize this is the first time I’ve cracked a grin since Saturday, and it doesn’t feel good because I don’t want to be happy without Dakota. I don’t want to do anything without Dakota. I’m done being a passenger and letting her call the shots. Luke is right: I have to prove to her that we’re bigger than this bullshit.
“We have poker at Max’s Saturday night, right?” I glance over at Wyatt who nods. My mind starts to race with ideas, and I feel my mood lightening by the second. “Maybe we should invite the ladies to come and play with us.”
Wyatt nods slowly, and Luke pats my shoulder. “Whatever you need, I got you.”
“That’s really good to hear because I also need to talk through some work stuff with you guys this week if possible.” I take a deep breath before I say the next part. It’s something I’ve been pondering for quite some time, and it’s now or never. “Do you have time to meet after work tomorrow at The Mercantile?”
Wyatt nods but cuts me a concerned look, and I fight back the nerves crawling up my back. I have to trust that my family will have my back on this, no matter what it might change for all of us. I’m in the driver’s seat of my own life now.
Chapter 43
You’re Bluffing
Dakota
I try to keep it together as I drive the short distance from my house to Cozy and Max’s place. Cozy invited me over for a girl’s night with her and Trista, and I could use a drink. I’ve been in a foul mood since Calder stormed through my shop on Thursday and dumped those shelves without a look back.
And the attitude he brought them over with still has me seeing red. He was moody, dismissive, and everything that drives me nuts about him. Why does he get to be mad at me right now? I wasn’t the one who lied and withheld valuable information. What else has he lied to me about? How well do I even really know him?
And why the hell did I ever think it would be a good idea to enter an enemies-with-benefits relationship with him? When do situations like that ever actually work out and everyone parts ways with no harm done? Never. At least I didn’t lose a friend through all of this. We started as enemies and we’ll end as enemies. As it should be.
And a sex club? Jesus. That was so unlike me. I can’t believe I didn’t realize how raw I was after my divorce. How unstable and impulsive it was of me to go there alone.
Thankfully, going back there last weekend with Calder did at least show me that I no longer need a kinky sex club to feel good about myself or push myself out of my comfort zone. I can do it on my own.
But it was a whole lot more fun with Calder. I hate how much I miss him.
I ring the doorbell of Max and Cozy’s house, steeling myselfto not be a sorry sack all night long. I need to laugh again. Need to have a drink and stop thinking about the inky mountain man who looked so good in my bed last Sunday.
The door swings open, and I glance down to find Ethan greeting me. His dark hair is tucked under a backward cap, and he has a white tank top on with some unusual art on his tiny arms.
“Did you get some fresh tats since I last saw you, Ethan?” I ask, laughing at the temporary nylon tattoo sleeves he has covering both arms.
“Yeah, my uncle took me to the tattoo shop last night.” He rubs his hands over his arms and attempts to flex. Gosh, he really does look like a miniature Calder.
“Wow, did those hurt to get?” I touch the designs on his arm.
Ethan looks up at me like I’m a complete moron. “They’re not real, Dakota.”
I huff out a laugh through my nose and ask, “Is your mom home?”
“Yeah, come on in. I’m just getting your chips set up.”
“My chips?” I follow Ethan through the entry way and around the corner where the house opens to the living room and dining area that overlooks Max and Cozy’s back deck.
I glance at the table and see various spots set up for a poker game. A lot more than three people it would seem. Are Max and Ethan joining us? Not exactly what I had in mind for a night with the girls, but I guess it might be nice to take my mind off—
“Here you go, Ace,” Calder’s voice causes me to jump three feet.
I whirl around, and my eyes lock on the big brawny sight of him, my stomach swirling with nerves. He’s dressed in jeans and a black-and-white flannel shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing that alluring ink of his, and he has a backward baseball cap on, similar to Ethan’s. It’s a new look for him, and one that I do not mind one bit.
I glance down at the money he’s holding out to me. “What’s this?”
“Your buy-in.” He shoots me a crooked smile that I feel squarely between my legs.
