Page 5

Still six months earlier

Ellie

It’s been two weeks. Two fucking miserable weeks of self-pity and anger.

How did I let myself fall into bed with that prick?

I blame it on the alcohol, not wanting to admit I still secretly crush on him and his sexy asshole ways.

I’ve been avoiding him at all costs. I’ve even made up excuses as to why I couldn’t visit with Haleigh because of this jerk.

Fuck him. He fucking used me. I guess we both used each other, but still, it doesn’t hurt any less.

He’s a fucking asshole.

And I’m never making that mistake with him again.

However, tonight is the first time I will have to face him.

Today is my best friend Haleigh’s birthday, and we are all going out to celebrate.

No way in hell I would miss celebrating this special day with her.

Jaydon has planned this entire night. I heard we are going out to have dinner and then dance the night away at the club. He even rented a luxurious limo.

He might be an asshole to me, but definitely not to his sister. He treats her like a queen, and I might be a little jealous of that. I know it’s his sister, but I want someone in my life who will treat me the same someday.

It’s finally the afternoon, and I’m heading to Haleigh’s to get ready for the night with her. After my short drive over to her house, I pull into her driveway—immediately spotting Jaydon’s truck.

Ugh. Of course he’s here.

I just hope he’s not downstairs when I walk in…

I can’t fucking face him right now.

I flip down the visor mirror and cringe. I showered right before leaving my house, so my hair is still soaking wet, and I have absolutely zero makeup on. Looking like a drowned rat is not a great look for me.

I seriously look like death without mascara, and normally, I never leave the house without at least a swipe of my favorite mascara .

After shooting Haleigh a quick text to let her know I’ve arrived, I gather her birthday gifts and walk to the side door. As soon as I reach for the handle, I hear footsteps inside. I hold my breath, silently praying it’s her and not her brother.

The door swings open, and I’m instantly relieved when I see her standing there, wrapped in her silky robe with a huge smile on her face.

Thank God it’s not him .

“Hey… my favorite birthday Bitch!” I squeal, stepping forward and pulling my bestie into a tight, overdramatic side hug.

She laughs into my shoulder. “Ells, you're so extra. Get in here before the neighbors think we're crazy,” she giggles, clearly entertained by my usual chaos.

“Girl, they’ve met me! Ryan's family already knows I’m crazy,” I smirk, “Happy birthday!” Stepping inside, I hand her a bouquet of sunflowers and balloons. “Oh, and don’t worry, I have a whole bottle of vodka tucked into this bag.” My eyes cut to the bag hanging on my shoulder.

She laughs, “You're a whole mess. Thank you so much!” she says, setting everything down on the kitchen counter.

I pop a brow, “Well apparently, I’m your mess, and I’m super freaking hyped for tonight... Now, tell me you’ve picked the dress, because we have lots to do before we head out later. ”

She groans dramatically, flopping against the counter, popping out her bottom lip. “I still haven’t picked one. I need help. I want sexy… but not too sexy .”

I wave my hand down my body like I’m presenting the most extravagant prize. “Ellie is at your service. We’re gonna be turning heads tonight, girl. I’m making sure of it.” I wink, “All eyes will be on you!”

She grins, her eyes dancing. “You’re my favorite crazy friend.”

“Excuse me? I’m your only crazy friend, and don’t you forget it.” I wag a finger before pointing towards the door. “I left my glam bag in the car—all the things we need—basically the holy grail. And my dress is in there too. I’m not putting it on until we’re ready.”

I spin on my heels towards the door and head outside, then pause for a breath.

Now I just need to make it upstairs and into her bedroom without running into him. Because Lord help me, if I see that man right now, I will be mortified.

Luckily, Jaydon was nowhere in sight as I climbed the stairs to her second-floor bedroom. His room is just down the hallway from hers, so I held my breath the entire time walking up the stairs.

As soon as I close the door behind me, she gives me that knowing look. Fuck. Here comes the questions. I know my best friend, and I know she wants the scoop.

“What? Why are you staring at me, grinning, Hales?” I play dumb while laying my dress across her bed.

She laughs dramatically, pinning me with a look, “I think you know exactly why, Ellie.”

I’m playing dumb with her until she gives me some clues as to what she knows, because I am not about to fess up and tell her what happened between her brother and me a couple of weeks back, fuck. I will be so fucking pissed if he told her anything.

I feign innocence, “Umm… nope, I really don’t.”

Her mouth drops, appalled that I’m not answering her question. “Ellie! I know you slept in my brother’s bed the other weekend, and I think that’s why you’ve been avoiding me!”

I haven’t been avoiding her—I’ve been calling, and we literally went dress shopping yesterday. Why the hell is she bringing this up tonight?

“I’ve been waiting for you to tell me, but since it seems like that’s not going to happen… I want the details!” Her face breaks into a huge grin, waiting for my response.

“Ugh, how do you even know? Did that asshole tell you? ”

She holds her face in both hands to hide her laughter. “Nope, I actually saw you lying in his bed that morning.”

How fucking embarrassing.

“Ugh, please tell me you didn’t,” I say, burying my face in both hands, all the while, she’s laughing her ass off.

“Yep, I sure did… now spill the details, bitch.”

“I hate you… You know that?” I say, giving her my pouting face.

“Stop it! You love me… now stop stalling and spill.”

I’m dying. “Ugh, fine… You know, we were all wasted. He helped me upstairs to bed. I didn’t even realize it was his bed—”

She looks at me with eyebrows raised and lips pursed to the side, “Yeah, sure you didn’t.”

She knows I’m bullshitting her, “Seriously, Hales. We were both so drunk, I didn’t even realize until I woke up the next morning.”

She’s still side-eyeing me. “So, you’re telling me you slept in Jay's bed… and nothing happened?” Her eyebrows raise, waiting for my answer.

“Nothing happened, and I think he’s still an asshole...” We both bust out laughing, an asshole with a very skilled tongue and fingers , but I don’t tell her that part, “… Now let’s get ready for your special night. That’s enough about me, girl.”

After two hours of me curling and styling Haleigh’s hair—and my own—along with lots of makeup and a swipe of shimmer later, we finally make our way down the stairs.

My nerves start to build, knowing Jaydon is nearby.

We both take our time, stepping extra carefully, trying not to fall while wearing our high stiletto heels.

“Damn, Hales, if I’m not careful, I might break an ankle in these shoes,” I say, stepping slowly down the last few steps.

“Oh, stop! You made me wear them. I’m the one who’s gonna break an ankle!”

When we stop in the kitchen, I see Jaydon outside through the side door window, talking on the phone. I guess I will have to face him sooner or later, so I can try to enjoy the night.

I huff out a determined breath, straightening my back as if that might somehow brace me for whatever awkwardness is about to unfold. Tonight’s supposed to be about celebrating Haleigh—not getting caught up in the fucking mess I’ve got going on with Jaydon .

I whip up mixed drinks for Haleigh and me to take for the ride in the limo, then slip the rest of the bottle in my bag for backup. If I have to spend all evening with the man that could win the award for being the biggest asshole, then I’m damn well going to need to keep the drinks flowing.

Just as I hand Haleigh her drink, I spot Ryan about to walk into the side door.

Perfect timing.

I quickly excuse myself, knowing he’ll want a minute alone with Haleigh. I need to get this shit over with anyway.

With a deep breath, I walk outside with my head held high to face Jaydon. I brace myself, expecting his worst.

The moment my heels hit the last step, I glance up to him. He’s leaning against his truck, and his cocky grin spreads across his face. His eyes roam the entire length of my body, spending extra time on my curves, accentuated by my dress. My skin prickles, sending my hormones into overdrive.

“Don’t…” I raise my freshly manicured hand up to stop him before he can even open his arrogant mouth, “… don’t fucking start with me, Jaydon.”

His smirk only deepens. His dark eyes flicker with amusement while trying hard to hold back his laughter. “I’m not starting anything with you, Ellie.” His voice dips even lower when he questions, “But I do want to know why you snuck out of my bed that morning. I could have gone another round.”

Heat surges up my neck, but I roll my eyes, cutting him off. “You’re disgusting.”

He pauses for a moment, trying to assess my mood.

Then, a low, knowing laugh escapes him. “Hmmm… it didn’t seem like you thought I was disgusting that night.” His head tilts, “Or maybe you just like having my dick in your mouth.” He shrugs.

Asshole.

I shift my body closer to him, lowering my voice. “Please. Just stop talking about it… You know someone could hear you,” I say, then peer back over my shoulder to make sure no one has come outside yet.

My heart is pounding out of my chest at the thought.

He crosses his arms over his chest. “What’s wrong? Don’t want your bestie to know how much you love sucking her brother’s dick?” He rubs his thumb and forefinger across his chin, his thick, muscular arms flexing with the movement.

Smug asshole.

He’s challenging me, trying to get me to react. I know the game he’s trying to play with my head. That smug, cocky swagger of his shining bright.

I roll my eyes at him while he just stands there, looking sexy as fuck in those fitted chinos and button-down, the sleeves rolled up, showcasing those powerful, veined forearms.

I’m an arm whore, and I’m not too ashamed to admit it either.

I could stare at his arms all fucking day; ink intertwined on the perfect canvas. His whole damn body is hard as fuck. He could pick me up with those massive arms, throw me onto his bed and ravish my body all fucking night long.

I’m lost in my head when I hear a throat clearing, snapping me out of my daze. He rubs his hand across his chin, staring into the depths of my soul. He knows he’s messing with my head and body—especially my body.

He knows I was fucking thinking about him.

Asshole.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Jaydon?” I snap, aggravated by the fact that he can read me so damn well.

His lips curve slightly before he pulls his bottom lip into his mouth, his perfect teeth sinking into the soft flesh like he’s holding back.

“I’m just trying to figure out how the hell I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself all night.

” His eyes gaze down my body, lingering a little too long on my curves.

“With you wearing that tiny scrap of material you call a dress…” His eyes darken, “You’re just begging to be fucked, sweetheart. ”

My face heats, and my pulse beats wildly at his sultry words. His stare pierces into me, waiting to see my reaction to his admission. But it only fuels the fire of fury I have towards him.

I must admit, seeing him act like this does things to me. As much as I can’t stand him right now, he’s still fucking hot—a prick, but hot. And he knows it.

I slowly step closer to him, my luscious hips swaying in a way that I know will drive him wild. His hand twitches at his side, like he's fighting every instinct to reach out and touch me.

To own me.

His eyes bounce from my heated stare to my parted lips. I stop when my chest is no more than an inch from his.

Heat crackles between us like a live wire.

I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows, trying to guess my next move. The feel of his warm breath hits me, and the minty freshness of his mouthwash drifts between us. My thighs clench, causing my skin to flush at his nearness.

He fucking feels it—the tension, the pull.

But I won't let him win.

“You don’t have to worry about keeping your hands off me. You won’t be lucky enough to get me into your bed again.” The words flow from my lips, taunting him.

“Hmm, we’ll have to see about that later… once you’ve had a few of those drinks in your hand…” his eyes glan ce down to the tumbler I’m holding. “… I can already smell your pussy dripping for me.”

I step back, narrowing my eyes at his cockiness. I need the distance. I don’t know if I want to smack him right now or let my defenses fall while he consumes my body all night long.

Thankfully, I don’t have long to think about it because I hear the side door open, and whatever I would have said died on my tongue right then and there. I quickly turn and walk towards Haleigh, but I can hear his smug laughter behind me. Asshole.