Page 81 of What are the Risks
“Kyah,” Kyler supplied.
“Kyler and Kyah? That’ll never work man.” Evan bumped me, a haughty grin spreading across his pretty-boy face. “I guess that leaves Ruby to me.”
I had to resist the urge to accidentally elbow that face – just in case Ruby had a soft spot for pretty boys.
*
I followed Ruby’s voice when I walked inside. She was in the kitchen with Tori... and Gretchen? What was she doing here?
There was an open bottle of wine between them, which was concerningly close to empty.
A smile lit up Ruby’s face when she spotted me in the doorway, her eyes creasing behind her glasses. “Hey, Wheels.”
I smiled back. “Hi, Rubz.”
As I moved in for a hug, doubt crept in, causing me to hesitate. We always hugged before we kissed, but was it too intimate now? Would she freak out, thinking I was making another move?
Unsure, I settled for lightly tapping her shoulder, which was fucking lame. She seemed to think so too, based on the subtle crease of her eyebrows.
Gretchen, on the other hand, hugged me without hesitation. She didn’t stop there either, rising onto her toes and pressing a kiss to my lips.
“Um, hi,” I muttered. “What are you–”
“I stopped by because I thought I left my gym tag in your bedroom last night.” She rested her palms against my chest, like the intimacy was totally normal. “No luck finding it, but I did see the flowers. You’re so sweet, babe.”
I shifted my gaze between Gretchen and Ruby. “Actually–”
“Finally, Brady!” Tori exclaimed, springing from her seat when my cousin ambled into the kitchen. “You’re behind schedule. I assume you at least tried on the outfit I laid out on your bed this morning?”
Brady cowered. “I didn’t have a chance.”
Tori exhaled dramatically. “You’d want to hope it works, because now we’re out of time for options.”
She grabbed Brady’s hand and dragged him from the room. There was no doubt who called the shots in their relationship. Tori had Brady’s balls tucked away in her eccentric purse, but we all knew that’s exactly how he liked it.
“Ruby and Tori invited me to stay for dinner before tonight’s party,” Gretchen said. “Is that cool with you? I already have my things in the car, so I could get ready here.” She peered up at me, blinking her unmistakably fake lashes. “I messaged Lindsay and Kyah, and they’re down too.”
I was a college quarterback. I prided myself on reacting quickly and on my feet, but I had no idea what I was supposed to say to that. Gretchen was acting like there was something going onbetween us. Was this some kind of role play? If so, I had no fucking clue what my role was supposed to be.
“I’m sure Tori has over catered,” I settled with.
Taking that as a yes, Gretchen did a little happy dance, squealing happily before sitting back down beside Ruby. “Ruby and I can get ready together after we finish our drinks.”
“You two have met then?”
“Mmhm. We were just getting to know each other.”
Part of me wanted to make an excuse and bail, but the thought of Gretchen and Ruby talking without me was even more terrifying. So I forced myself to stay put.
“I was telling Ruby about my latest modelling gig,” Gretchen said.
Ruby’s face lit up with what I knew was fake enthusiasm. “She’s a model, Wheels!”
I stiffened, knowing exactly what she was hinting at.
Kitty Banks. Giselle Sterling. Sienna Davis.
And now Gretchen Huntington.
