Page 75 of If You Claim Me

Thankfully, the arrival of these women winds the party down.

Quinn claps me on the shoulder. “I’m crashing at Lavender and Kodiak’s tonight. I’ll meet you at the airport in the morning.”

“Sure thing.”

The blonde hugs his arm and rests her head against his shoulder as they leave the bar.

“What’s the deal there?” I ask Tristan.

He shrugs. “That’s one of the Butterson girls. She and Quinn grew up together.”

“Huh.” So did Kodiak and Lavender.

Flip orders cabs for the rest of us, and we return to our hotel, where all of us disappear into our rooms.

I strip out of my suit and stumble to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I’m good and hammered, despite my water consumption.I climb into bed, phone in hand, and set three alarms—morning will be rough. In the process, I see I have new messages from Mildred, who I’ve saved in my phone with a tongue-in-cheek spin on her nickname.

Dredful Menace

Nice game tonight.

Lexi tells me Flip and Bowman organized a bachelor party for you. Don’t let Flip buy you too many shots.

Connor

Wish I would have seen this earlier.

I close my eyes for a second. She’ll be asleep. It’s one thirty in the morning. But my phone buzzes on my chest, startling me awake.

Dredful Menace

Flip has a horrible penchant for shots. You should take a painkiller now. I’m sorry about tomorrow’s suckage, but I hope you had fun.

Connor

Why are you awake?

Dredful Menace

Connor

Did you fall asleep on the couch?

Dredful Menace

Maybe.

Connor

I’m sorry I’m not there to put you to bed.

Dredful Menace

Me too.

The inching dots appear and disappear a few times. So I add a bit to encourage her.

Connor