Page 27 of Rowdy Boy

Tori’s head whips around at the sound of my voice. A grin instantly blooms on her face. Rhett’s eyes land on me, too, but he’s slower to react.

“Hey yourself. What’s up, bro?” He gingerly lifts Tori off his lap and sets her on the underwater bench beside him. He swims to the edge of the hot tub and spreads his tanned, lean arms wide before gazing up at me curiously.

It was one thing to send a text explaining what I heard. It’s another thing entirely to have to say the words out loud. So I don’t. I look my best friend in the eye and offer the only explanation necessary for my shitty mood and my reason for showing up unannounced.

“Joe.”

His expression softens. He doesn’t push or ask for clarification. Instead, he looks back at Tori for a second, then cocks his head toward the stairs.

“Don’t just stand there. Get in here.”

I shuck off my T-shirt and pull off my jeans, grateful I’m wearing old school boxers instead of briefs right now. I give Tori an apologetic smile as I enter the water and make myself comfortable in my favorite spot near the stairs. Ruining their night feels like an asshole move. Especially because they were on babysitting duty last weekend after the incident at The Grille.

I lean back in the hot tub and move my arms languidly through the water. Usually, I love chilling out here. But there’s nothing chill about how I feel tonight. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have bothered. The heat of the water is doing nothing to tame the rage running along my spine.

My friends start up with some idle chatter for my benefit, but I can’t focus on any of it. I can’t even close my eyes without picturing his face: his smug, knowing smile. Those cruel, watery eyes. How long has it been going on? How long have I been a pawn in this particular game?

I’ve been hanging out with Courtney on and off for the last few years. I’ve been clear with her about my intentions from the beginning. She’s been lying through her teeth the whole time.

Dammit. This isn’t working. I can’t sit in this hot tub for another second. I need a goddamn release. I don’t know where I’ll go or what I’ll do. But I can’t just sit here.

“This isn’t a good idea. I’m out,” I declare as I push to my feet.

That gets their attention.

“Jakey…”

Her voice is laced with pity. I don’t want her pity, especially without context. They have no idea what happened tonight. What he admitted to. What I fucking fell for.

Tori’s sitting on Rhett’s lap again, his arm woven around her front. I should have taken the hint when I first got here. They obviously had plans for tonight. Plans that don’t require an audience.

“Looks like you two could use some privacy,” I quip, jutting my chin in their direction before turning back to the stairs. I’m already two steps up and out of the water when Rhett’s words hit me.

“Sit down, Jake.”

It’s a command. Part of me fucking hates it. The other part aches to listen and just let go. I give in, splashing back down onto the bench.

“What’s got you all twisted?” he asks, staring at me through squinted eyes as Tori wraps her hand around the back of his neck. The way she’s slowly moving in the water… holy shit. Are we really going to sit here and pretend like she’s not grinding on his dick while he tries to force a conversation?

“Simmer down,” he whispers as he nips the shell of her ear.

She stills but coyly smiles and keeps her hand cupped around his neck.

“Start talking, bro.”

I huff out a sigh and run a wet hand through my hair. Having a best friend is all well and good until he sees right through your shit and calls you on it.

It’s not that I don’t want to tell them what happened. I already texted him the short version of the story. But right now, I can’t even think about it without seeing red. My jaw clenches so hard I think I might crack a tooth. I finally look over to meet Rhett’s gaze.

I shake my head twice and blow out a shaky breath. I don’t need to explain to him that I’m barely holding it together. He knows. That’s why he won’t let me leave.

“I’ll tell you. But not now,” I grunt, my voice low and gravelly.

He assesses me for a few seconds before nodding once. He keeps staring, and I watch his expression morph into determination before he nods again. We’ve been best friends since we were five. I know a decision has just been made.

“You’re staying here tonight.”

Again with his bossy-ass demands. I roll my eyes and cock one eyebrow.