Page 38 of Shots Fired

Every single one of them edges closer, waiting on the tea, as memories race back and settle between my thighs.

“I’d saygoodis the understatement of the year.”

Collins picks up her water, the glass halfway to her mouth. “Details, Thompson. We need details.”

I shake my head at her. “You’re engaged to be married. And you”—I motion to Kendra—“already are.”

“Looks like I’m the only one finding out the deets then.” Jenna looks particularly smug. “My best guess is, it all started when he asked you to meet him in Jack and Kendra’s spare bedroom. That’s what his text said after all.”

Collins throws a hand up. “What the fuck is it with that spare bedroom?!”

“Tell me about it,” Kendra replies between laughs. “First Sawyer and Collins hooking up with handcuffs in there, and now … wait.” She looks at me, jaw agape. “Did you actually bang while Jack was in the other room?!”

My entire body flushes—I swear it does.

“Oh my God! You did, didn’t you?!” Jenna squeaks out, way too excited.

Waving a hand in front of me, I shush them quickly. “No, I did not,” I whisper-hiss. “We might’ve gotten a little close, but even Archer isn’t crazy enough to think we could get away with that. You just know Jack would have been heading to the bathroom right as I screamed his goalie’s name.”

“He made you scream, did he?” Collins croons. “That’s the best—when you come so hard that you can do nothing except wail.” She looks off into the distance, sighing.

“Annnd now I feel like a lonely old woman. I need me a good fuck-buddy arrangement,” Jenna puffs out. “Preferably with a hockey player since you three are only confirming what the romance books report—that these boys know what they’re doing.”

“Archer’s pierced.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

“Come again?” Jenna says.

“I’d say she likely did—multiple times,” Collins adds.

“Well, my flabbers are officially gasted.” Kendra picks up her Diet Coke, eyes wide. She takes a sip, glass suspended midair. “Now, you agreeing to a fuck-buddy arrangement makes complete sense.”

Collins’s phone vibrates on the table in front of her, and she picks it up. “It’s Ezra. I need to take this.”

She rises to her feet and makes for the restaurant door; all the while, I track her movements with a smile. For so long, that girl was convinced she didn’t need a man—or a family—in her life. Now, she’s a wife-to-be and an absolute rock to her future stepson.

“And I’m going to head to the restroom before the food arrives.” Jenna picks up her phone and waves it at me and Kendra. “Maybe even join a dating app and bag me a hot hookup.” She pushes back her chair, wrapping a soft arm around my shoulders. “For what it’s worth, I’m really happy for you. Have some fun, girl. You deserve it after fuckface Liam.”

Alone at the table, I turn back to Kendra as she swirls the ice cubes around in her drink, deep in thought.

“I won’t say anything to Jack because girl code and I get where you’re coming from about privacy.” Her brown eyes find mine, a hint of concern behind them. “Just don’t go falling for him, yeah? You seem to have your head on straight, and I know, underneath the bravado, Archer is a good guy. But I’m a friend to you.” She places her glass down on the table, reaching across to take my hand in a move I wasn’t really expecting. “And also, now, you’re family. I don’t want to see you get hurt, and Iwillcut Archer’s balls off if he fucks you around.”

I’m hit with an emotion I didn’t anticipate, and I wrap my hand around hers, squeezing it softly. “I love you so much, Kendra, and I understand your worries. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’d for sure be having the same conversation with you.” I release a long breath. “I’m twenty-four years old, and Ispent almost a decade in a long-term relationship with a guy I thought was forever. Turned out, he was the bad kind of fuckboy who couldn’t keep it in his pants.”

I push a hand through my hair, and my phone vibrates next to me. I ignore it, maintaining my focus on Kendra.

“What I’m saying is, you never really know the real person until they show you their true colors. My gut tells me Archer is genuine, and to be honest, the hookup surpassed my expectations. I felt confident around him. He made me feel great, and I want more of that feeling. Liam broke me more than I realized—or maybe more than I’ve admitted to.” My voice shakes a little, more emotions surfacing.

Kendra’s eyes soften with an easy smile. “Then that’s all I need to know. I assume the Abbie story will be spun out a little longer.”

I shift in my chair, hating the lie Archer told, but kind of understanding why he went along with Jack’s assumption that he had a girl.

“Neither of us wants to lie.” I smirk at her, a thrill running through me. “But the sex-in-secret thing is kind of hot.”

She bursts out laughing, nodding along. “Yes. Yes, it is.” Her amusement fades to a cheeky grin of her own. “I can’t believe he’s pierced. Wait, no. Actually, I can absolutely believe that Archer Moore is pierced.”

“And his thigh is tattooed with his jersey number.”

Kendra’s eyes grow wider, if that’s even possible. “Why is a thigh tattoo so hot?”