Neither of us runs into anyone, so we take the opportunity and dart upstairs to my room. Maggie is bustier than me and has some solid curves to her figure, so the flowing baby doll top and pair of basic black shorts I offer is really all that fits her. Still, she doesn’t complain as she heads to the bathroom to shower, change, and fix her makeup.
“We’ll make an appearance outside, say a quick ‘hello,’ and then make a beeline for your car,” I say, heading down the steps again after we finish getting ready. I slipped on a Rolling Stones concert tee and a pair of tattered jeans, along with dark makeuparound the eyes, ensuring my stepmom will want me gone when company comes over.
Maggie’s stomach growls like a monster, and she puts a hand over her abdomen as if it’s speaking to her. “I’m gonna need to refuel first.”
I go into the kitchen and start perusing the cabinets for something quick to eat, happy to hear that neither of the voices outside belongs to my sister.
Maggie outright purrs, looking outside with a mischievous smile slapped across her face. “I thought you were supposed to save the strippers for the bachelorette party.”
“What?”I hand her a protein bar, only for my best friend to grab my arm and drag me over to the window.
“Talk about a hunk of burnin’ love,” she sighs, pointing to a certain someone walking into the backyard.
The guy in question turns towards us, donning a pair of aviator sunglasses and a sleeve of tattoos, and I immediately drop to the floor with a shriek.
“Ooookay…” Maggie laughs, looking down at me. “This definitely explains why you don’t have a boyfriend. It’s aguy, Ali. Not a grenade. You don’t have to hit the deck.”
I ignore her, groaning as I steal another look outside. “He’s like a freaking cockroach! I can’t get rid of him!”
“Dare I ask what you’re doing down there?”
“Your stripper out there,” I say, pointing into the backyard, “isJase!”
Maggie almost chokes on her protein bar. “Bullshit!”
“I’m not down here to inspect the hardwood floor,” I sneer, slowly easing my eyes over the bottom of the windowsill.
“Holy fucking shit.” Maggie finally gets a better look at his face, realizing that, yes, he is the same guy she pulled up on social media last night. Unfortunately, her shock is overrun byher gawking because she goes so far as to fan herself. “And you actually managed to walk out on that fine ass last night?”
“More like Iran.”
Lauren’s Mercedes pulls into the driveway not ten seconds later, and she wastes no time climbing out as she catches sight of the guys out back.
“Well, look who made it,” she squeals, getting swept clean off her feet as Jase pulls her into a hug upon arrival. “Where did you run off to last night?”
Holy shit on a cracker!
Sheknowshim?
I scuttle across the kitchen floor, seeing the group heading towards the house. “Maggie,” I hiss, snatching her keys and our purses off the counter blindly. “We have to go, now!”
Her legs apparently work independently from her brain, because the girl doesn’t move, still gaping. I snap at her again, but it’s too late. She’s only made it a few steps when the back door opens, and everyone files inside the house. I, being the smooth operator that I am, stay crouched down on the floor like an idiot behind the kitchen island, hoping I can ‘gracefully’ army crawl my way to the front door without catching anyone’s attention.
“Hey, Mags,” says Derek. “You know where Ali is?”
“Oh, she’s…ah…around here somewhere,” she replies clumsily.
Footsteps tap across the hardwood floor, coming closer…and closer…and closer to me.
Shit!
I’m trapped.
“Ali?” My brother peers over the top of the counter, laughing at the sight of me crouched down on the ground. “What are you doing?”
“I just…uh, lost my earring,” I say, brushing myself off and climbing to my feet in mortification.
“Ali!” Laurenpractically squeals. “Oh good, you’re here! I want you to meet my brother.”
