Page 115 of Finding Fate

“Since when is complimenting you being weird?”

“Oh, I don’t know, since you never do.”

“Quit being dramatic. I do too.”

“Whatever.” She bends down and places her palm on my belly and her ear against it. “Lil’ Baker, act like your daddy. Don’t listen to your mommy. She lies. Lying is bad. Aunt Paxtyn is the coolest person ever. We will have lots of secrets between us. When the parentals say no, just call me—your favorite.”

I laugh, lightly shoving her away. “Quit being a bad influence on my baby.”

Her phone starts to ring from her purse. She digs through it until she’s staring at the screen. “Get everything ready. I’ll be back in ten.”

“Who’s that? Phones are off limits. You just got here.”

“Jacobe.” She swipes the screen as she walks toward the kitchen. “Sayler, the famous blonde bartender is needed in the cooking quarters. I heard all about your Jingle Juice last year. I will have a glass for each of you.” She places the phone to her ear as she hits the door. “Hey. You make it to Colorado?”

I stare ahead after she disappears, trying to figure out what that was. It dawns on me.No.I look at Konnor. “Is she referring to Jacobe Whitmore? He’s a senior this year, right? The one whose dad is the retired NFL player that’s had college scouts looking at him for football since his sophomore year?”

Landon pulls the Santa hat off that Sayler bribed him into wearing and leans forward, placing his elbows on his thighs, suddenly looking agitated. This could fuck up everything. If it’s who I’m thinking of, he’s hot. Konnor pulls out his phone and starts doing something. I can see the blue, telling me he’s on Facebook. “Yep. She’s tagged on his relationship status.”

Oh my God. It can’t be serious. “Get set up. I’ll be right back.”

Paxtyn

Paxtyn

When are you coming home?My dad wants to officially meet you so he doesn’t have to ask me twenty questions about your family that I don’t give a shit to answer.

Why the hell did he have to come? And to corner me like that . . . Ugh. I was just fine moving forward in my life with friends and school. Totally had forgotten about the losing my virginity part. Me and my sister were finally getting along. I found a boy toy. My life was grand. What guy wears a stupid Santa hat anyway? Or makes it actually look hot?Him. That’s who. I hate him and the way he can make my body buzz. I was so close to kissing him before I remembered I actually do have a boyfriend. More for shits and giggles but no one has to know that. He asked. I said yes. I do play the part of a normal high school girl sometimes. Even when I know they’re only after the goods. I always have the upper hand.

Paxtyn. Did you hear anything I just said?

“Huh? Oh sorry, I was zoned out watching a friend make a cocktail. What’s up?”

When are you coming home? Parents want an introduction.

That’s really not necessary. I doubt we’ll be together long, hot or not. “I think day after New Year’s. You?”

Day after Christmas. You can’t get an earlier flight?

Not sure I want to now.“Uh, no, sorry. I don’t see my sister much.”

Want me to come there?

My eyes blow out like balloons. That would be horrible. What part of I don’t see my sister much does he not understand? I’m not sure I like this dating thing. Boyfriends seem needy. If this is how it works, I’m already slipping back to the other side. “Nah. You’d be bored. Every girl is knocked up. No parties.”

Sayler raises a brow at me as she pours a glass rimmed in sugar. It looks delish.Sorry!I mouth, pointing at the phone as I shake my head no and pretend slit my throat. She laughs. My phone is jerked out of my hand, and out of reflex I do this fumbling act like it slipped, only to realize Landon is putting it to his ear. “She’s gotta go, bruh. This phone call is holding up something important. It’s rude. She can call you later.”

I narrow my eyes at him and flip him off, but in a reflex, he grabs my wrist and pulls my finger in his mouth, slowly sucking as he pulls it out. My mouth falls open as I watch it slip out wet with his saliva. Oh, Jesus. He smirks. Cocky bastard. “Just a friend of a friend,” he says into the phone, and then hangs it up and pockets it in his jeans. “High school boys. So stupid. They’ll believe anything.”

I hold out my hand. “Give me my phone. I have to record everything.”

“You can use mine. Seems like I remember her saying ‘no phones’. It’s her party. I’d say that makes her the boss, and she’s been back out there for the last ten minutes, so get your hot little ass in there before you piss me off even more.”

I glance across the bar as I stand from the barstool. Sayler isn’t in here anymore but my drink is sitting beautifully, waiting for me. I grab it. “I need to be drunk to deal with you.”

I turn to walk off, but I’m hauled backward until I collide with his hard chest, almost spilling some of my drink. He rubs his hand down my sweater and the front of my jeans until it’s cupped between my legs. “You work fast to have kept your legs closed for so many years.”

I put my glass down. “Yeah, well, you don’t work fast enough. Guess you broke me in for someone else. I don’t know why you’re whining like a little girl. I tried to leave it a fling. You pushed. Then you didn’t follow up. Not my problem.”

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