Time to pack my shit and move the hell on.
Realizing I haven’t answered Tully’s question, I reach into her closet and grab the ripped jeans off the hanger. “At this point, I’ll be getting dirty with anyone who shows me just the teeniest bit of attention.”
“Something tells me you’re full of shit. I think you’ll only be kissing someone if Noah happens to walk through the door.”
“What?” I gasp, feigning innocence. “That doesn’t sound like something I’d do.”
“Bullshit,” she laughs. “You can’t honestly tell me that if Monica shoved her tongue down his throat, you’d just sit back and be ok with it.”
“Hell no,” I boom out laughing. “I’d kiss you if I was desperate enough.”
Tully shakes her head as she drops down to grab a pair of heels to match the red dress she picked out. “Babe, you should kiss me anyway. I’m a fucking rock star with my tongue. You’re seriously missing out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I strike out with the guys,” I tell her, peeling off my shirt and replacing it with a black tank.
“Damn straight you will.”
An hour later, I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for Tully to straighten her long dark hair, but hell, with that hair, sunkissed skin, green eyes, and red dress, she looks incredible. Maybe I might just have to kiss her after all.
I was ready ages ago. My look never takes long to perfect. I toss my hair around a bit, pull my jeans on, and add a little mascara. I finally feel like I can understand when guys in movies whine about their girlfriends taking forever to get ready. God save the man who ends up with Tully, though, we all know, or hope that it will be Rivers.
We walk out to the living room. The boys haven’t gotten home yet and thank God for that. I was hoping we could slip out without them questioning where the hell we’re going. Shit, I don’t even know where we’re going, but that little fact doesn’t bother me. I trust Tully to show me a good night.
After shoving a handful of cash down her bra, Tully reaches for the door handle, only it opens just before she has a chance to grab it. We shuffle back to avoid being smacked in the face with the hardwood and not a moment later, Noah is standing right there in front of me, silently staring as Rivers looks up and down Tully’s body with a fierce appreciation.
Noah reluctantly tears his eyes from mine, finally allowing me to breathe before he snaps at his sister. “Where the hell do you think you’re going dressed like that?”
“Thought I’d go and get myself knocked up,” she smiles with a big ‘fuck you’ hidden behind her eyes. “Wouldn’t it be great? Our kids could grow up together just like I always wanted.”
Tully doesn’t allow him a chance to respond before she barges her way past Rivers and flies through the door. Rivers cuts in front of me and follows her out, not about to let her go to a party without his protection, even though we all know she can more than handle herself.
I go to follow them out the door, but Noah’s warm hand grips my elbow.
I turn back and watch him for a second, clearly struggling with whatever he needs to say. I wait a beat more and have never felt so disappointed at what comes out of his mouth. “Just… be careful, ok?”
No fight. No begging me not to go. No ‘I wish things were different.’
I pull my arm away, silently wishing he would have said something else, anything else. Hell, maybe even put up a fight, but I should have known. The guy is all about his twisted morals, wanting to be a family with his baby Mumma.
Shit, the thought has me turning away and heading for Rivers and Tully, even more desperate for that drink.
———-
“Hit me again,” I slur, slamming the shot glass back down on the table.
“You got it, dude,” Tully laughs as she grabs the bottle of pretty green stuff and fills up the little glass.
I throw it down the hatch and cringe at the burn before smiling at the sweet aftertaste. “Shit, that’s good,” I tell her, grabbing the green bottle off the table and walking away with it as Tully follows behind with a bottle of her own.
We dart away from Rivers who seems to be everywhere and find somewhere to dance. It’s not long before I’m losing myself in the music and doing my best to forget the shitty week that I’ve had.
I’m just about at the point of feeling good when a very familiar black jacket crosses through my vision.
Jackson Millington.
“Fuck,” I curse as the force of one thousand memories nearly knocks me off my feet.