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The same man who has Emerson in his arms, her sweet body wrapped around me in her bed. The man she thinks is hot, piercing me with those honey brown eyes that could bring me to my knees.

Never has a woman gotten to me from only one look—until her.

I know she’s a handful, she’s lived up to her reputation, but from this point on, she’s mine.

Chapter 10

Emi

“No woman, no cry!” Maren sings horribly off-key, bobbing her head to the reggae music. She’s never been a good singer, and usually it’s fun to listen to her butcher songs because I’m right there with her. However, today, I’m staying quiet on pure principle.

I rip my phone out of my purse and text her a message, refusing to talk to her.

SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Her phone is in the car cradle on the dash, and I smile widely when the message flash across.

“Really, Em? How immature can you be?”

I shrug and look out the window, remaining quiet.

“I said I was sorry! What do you want, for me to write it in blood?”

I tip my head to the side as if I’m actually contemplating it.

“How long are you going to give me the silent treatment? It’s been three days.”

Three days? Hardly enough time for her to pay for what she did. She’s lucky I’m still coming to Myrtle Beach with her. I remember leaving Walker’s house this morning, after another night of nothing but kisses. As I think about it, I get more aggravated.

“Technically, it’s only been two and half days. And you deserve it.” I break my silent treatment. “It’s bad enough you dared me to do that stupid pose, knowing I’d try. It’s equally as bad that I got hurt in the process. But showing Walker the video? Why would you do that? Then drugging me with sleep medicine? For the rest of my life, I’ll always remember the very first time Walker spent the night with me as a blur. I woke up on Thursday morning and almost had an anxiety attack wondering if he ran from me.”

“Again, I’m sorry!”

“You’re lucky he didn’t run.”

“That man’s not going anywhere, Em, no matter what crazy shit you do. He’s a keeper.”

“I know that! However, in the future, can we follow the best friend code and NOT show him evidence of my stupidity and lack of grace that results in injury?”

She purses her lips tightly, her cheeks growing flush. Then she barks out a loud laugh, covering her mouth. I glare at her, not finding anything funny.

“Maren!”

“Come on, where’s your sense of humor? If you’d get over your snit long enough to picture the whole situation, you’d laugh, too.”

I yank her phone off the cradle and swipe through, looking for the video I swore I’d never watch, and hit play. Watching the replay sends a shooting pain to my recovering groin. I view it twice more, and both times imagine Maren in my position. Only then does it become comical.

I try to hold back, but a giggle escapes, turning into a full belly laugh. I’ll never say the words out loud, but she’s right. It is kinda funny.

“Fine, I’ll accept your apology.”

“Thank God, it’s boring when you ignore me.”

“I didn’t ignore you. I’ve answered every one of your texts.”

“It’s not the same. I need a good download of your life since I left Wednesday night. How are things with Walker?”

“Perfect.”