I head to the bathroom, pulling up the Uber app I haven’t used in ages. What’s one more thing on the emergency creditcard?
Chapter 34
SLADE
“So, that’s her, huh?” Alex bumps my elbow.
I haven’t been able to take my eyes off Sarah, knowing she’s in the same room as Macavoy’s kid. What’s worse is that I saw the man himself enter a bit ago. I’d really like to pull her out of there and away from all of them. Not only because she’s in that dress—the kind of dress that makes a man think crazy things—but because I want her to be here. With me.
“Seriously, man. If you stare over there any harder, the walls might crack.” Carson pulls a beer from the bucket.
“Slade likey Sarah,” Krissy says.
Wind snorts, and Krissy pulls the neck of her sweatshirt up over her mouth, trying to hide her joy at my suffering.
I scratch my nose with my middle finger, and she laughs.
Her head pops up like a prairie dog out of a hole. “What? I’m just happy someone finally cracked through the frigid, solidified layers surrounding you.”
My eyes roll to the ceiling, but she doesn’t even know the half of it. Sarah and those kids blasted a giant ass hole that’s leading straight to my heart.
“Kris, why the hell are you still here? I thought you were meeting that doctor for dinner.”
“Why isn’t he coming here?” Carson takes a long pull of his beer.
I want to smile, having unleashed these hounds to nip at her instead.
“Yeah, we want to meet him.” Trig rests his elbows on the table.
“Are you afraid we won’t like him?” Wind asks in complete offense.
I meet her eyes and lift the corners of my mouth. Take that, you little shit.
Her long eyelashes drop into a glare.
“Even more reason we need to meet him,” Carson says.
Krissy swirls her wine. “You guys are too much.”
“Hold on.” Trig stops from popping a cheese ball into his mouth. “Are you saying you’re scared to bring him here?”
I listen for her answer, but my eyes drift through the crowd to Sarah. If Krissy doesn’t want to bring him here, it’s either because he’s not good enough or she doesn’t see it going anywhere. I’m curious which it is.
“You guys are a lot,” Alex says, defending Krissy. “I don’t blame her for keeping him away.”
“Damn right, we are.” Wind scratches his beard. “If he’s going to date you, he needs to understand what’s up. It won’t just be Carson coming after him this time.”
Krissy goes perfectly still, her eyes shifting to Carson.
My eyes meet Wind’s, then flick between my best friend and my little sister. “What the hell is he talking about? Who did you go after?” I turn toward Carson.
No one moves except for Wind’s eyes, seeking refuge from anyone but me. Carson’s gaze tips to Krissy, who still isn’t moving.
“Someone better tell me exactly what happened and when?” I wonder how I didn’t know about this.
Krissy straightens, her shoulders falling back just like they used to as a teenager when I snagged her ass in a lie. “It wasn’t a big deal. It was when I was hanging out with Colton. He was being a jerk, and I’d had a few drinks.” Her eyes flick to Carson. “Carson had a few words with him and then gave me a ride.”
Carson’s gaze finally shifts from Krissy to me. “You were visiting Alex. He was an asshole, and I made sure he stayed far away from her.”
