Tanner’s eyes darken, but before he can respond, I shake my head. “No, don’t answer that,” I tell him, pressing my lips into a hard line. “I shouldn’t be judging it. I don’t know the twisted little ins and outs of their relationship. Maybe this is just normal for them and she’s usually cool with it, only now there’s added feelings and it changes things. I mean, she talks about him being a manwhore all the time, so surely she’s watched him hook up with chicks at parties only to be the one he goes home with at the end of the night.”
Tanner nods. “Honestly, I think it happens more than any of us know,” he tells me. “She’s seen him with other chicks all the time. This is the first she’s ever shied away from it though.”
I let out a heavy sigh, wishing I knew where in this big ass mansion Ilaria took her, but Hudson was right about one thing. When there’s still a good time to be had, Arizona won’t waste it. I’m sure after she shakes it off, she’ll be back, and in good Arizona fashion, she’ll find someone else to screw around with, and just to prove some kind of point, she’ll be sure to do it right in front of Jax.
The thought lightens my mood, and when Tanner places a hand on my thigh, I turn back to him with a challenging grin. “Ever jumped off the roof and supermanned into a pool?”
His eyes narrow and he glances up toward the roof before focusing back on me. “Noooo,” he says slowly, suspicion radiating out of him.
My grin widens and I realize I’m going to need a few more shots to get through the night. Throwing caution to the wind, I stand up and take his hand, dragging him to his feet, knowing damn well he won’t be able to resist. “Want to?”
He glances up to the roof again, knowing damn well we won’t make that jump, but we sure as fuck will make it from the roof of the pool house.
“Don’t be a chicken, Mr. Morgan.”
He finally lets out a sigh. “Fine, but there better be something in it for me.”
I sashay away, letting Tanner follow after me with both Riley and Hudson coming along for the ride. “Do a backflip and I might just think about it,” I tell him just as he catches up, scoops me off my feet, throws me over his shoulder, and slaps my ass with a thrilling spank.
Chapter 12
BRIELLE
The cafeteria table feels cool beneath my head as I try to drown out the noise of senior lunch.
The twins’ party was a mistake.
No, I take that back. It was awesome, but I went way too hard. Even now, over a day and a half later, I’m still hungover as fuck, and not a damn thing seems to help. Though, my embarrassment over how the night ended could be the biggest reason I’m not ready to face the world.
Our group was the last standing, which was surprising since the girls and I had gotten wickedly drunk. Chanel was already fighting with Logan at that point, and Jax was all broody.
I don’t know who suggested getting into the pool at five in the morning, but I’m blaming them for the unholy mess I made.
Tanner and I had snuck into the swim-up bar, and I was so close to losing our little challenge and giving in to his advances. But then my stomach churned. Not wanting to throw up all over my half-naked, nearly-boyfriend, I flew to my feet and launched myself over the bar. Unfortunately, in my desperation, I turned the wrong way, and instead of throwing up all over the pavement, I blew chunks directly into the pool.
I thought there would be no other moment in my life more humiliating than the great wax incident of ninth grade, until I woke up in the twins’ guest room to the sound of workmen cleaning the pool. No one has mentioned it, but at some point, it’s going to come up just like my guts did.
The cold table soothes my aching head as I listen to Chanel’s recap of her last two days for the hundredth time. “Can you believe it?” she says, grabbing her apple and slamming it down on the table, the vibrations traveling right through my skull. “Two days. Two freaking days and the asshole still hasn’t talked to me. I mean, why even bother asking me out in the first place? He’s such a dick. I swear, give me something so I can strangle him. The swamp turd needs a foot up his ass.”
Ilaria laughs and shakes her head. “You know at some point, you two are going to have to learn how to communicate without screaming at each other.”