Chapter Ten
Phoebe
Andy knocked on our apartment door like an actual gentleman later that evening, dressed in a black polo shirt and some shorts, holding a flower he’d picked from the ground’s bushes for Bailey. She’d tucked it behind her ear, waved us a mischievous goodbye in her slinky little outfit, then left to go on her date.
It had just turned ten p.m. when another unexpected knock arrived at our apartment door. I spun around in surprise, watching as Rhea answered it to reveal Jace standing there alone, no Henry in sight.
His eyes trailed down Rhea’s body and back up again before he clucked his tongue in his mouth, then whistled. “Looking fine, Ree-Ree.”
Ree-Ree?
“We’ve discussed this, Jace. My name is Rhea.” She struggled to contain her sly smile while he walked around her, inspecting every inch of her skin. She wore a pair of tight denim shorts and a barely-there black halter top, no bra, which Jace made no secret of noticing.
“’Kay, Ree-Ree. You ready?” he asked.
“For what?”
Jace, finally acknowledging my presence, glanced my way before looking between us both. “I’m here to escort you ladies out for the evening until the loved-up duo find us later. Andy didn’t tell you?”
“No. Who approved this?”
“Bailey.”
“That bloody woman,” Rhea grumbled. “I’ll deal with her tomorrow.” She threw her bag onto her shoulder. “I wasn’t aware we needed babysitters when Mum went out to get herself laid.” She reached out to grab Jace’s hand, tugging him towards the door like a naughty schoolboy. “You’re here now, though, I suppose. May as well use you while I can.”
“Feel free to use me in any way you deem fit.”
I took a step towards them, already armed with my small purse hooked over my shoulder. “Hey, wait. Hold up.”
Rhea and Jace stopped by the open door to look back at me.
“Is it just you, Jace? I mean, just the three of us?”
“Don’t worry, darling. I won’t leave you out.” He grinned wickedly.
Rhea nudged his shoulder. “She means where’s Henry, you fool?”
“Oh, he’s… otherwise indisposed.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, dread bubbling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of him with some other woman, which was ridiculous, considering my own stance on things happening on this trip.
Jace’s brows rose. “Why don’t I show you?”
Rhea and I exchanged confused glances before Jace led the way, guiding us out of our apartment, down the stairwell, and out to the pool area. It had turned dark out now, with only thecomplex’s lights illuminating the way. I’d been about to ask Jace where we were going when I saw the answer for myself.
On the sunbed I’d been bathing on all day laid Henry, sprawled out on his back, still wearing his swim shorts from earlier, with nothing but a beach towel over his stomach and an arm thrown over his eyes. I practically salivated at the way the muscles in his bicep popped, but I forced it back somehow as I turned to Jace, waiting for an explanation.
“He had a little too much fun in the sun. Been drinking all day. Didn’t eat. He’s an idiot.”
“Damn it, Jace.” I immediately rushed to Henry’s side, leaning over to hold the palm of my hand over his parted lips to make sure I could feel his breaths moving in and out. “You can’t just leave him like this.”
“Sure, I can. Hoes before bros.”
“I beg your pardon.” Rhea slapped him on the shoulder this time.
“Ouch. Shit. That one hurt.”
“Yeah? You should feel how much they hurt when I’m really pissed. Want to keep playing with the hoes?”
