When we arrive, the first familiar face I see is Tag, and he walks toward us while carrying three glasses of champagne.
"And you two are here just in time to see me leave."
"What?" I ask, glancing at my watch.
We're just two hours late. Totally Kade's fault.
"It's Raya's fault we're late," Kade says, earning a glare from me.
It's not my fault he couldn't wait until later tonight. He's the one that pulled over on the side of the road, and then pulled in behind the college, and then decided we had to go back to his house one last time after we had left Silk.
Kade smiles at me, and I lose my mock anger.
"Well, anyway, I have to head out. The girls are drunk. I don't mess with drunk chicks, so I need to go prowling for someone sober."
"You're prejudice against drunks?" I muse, finding that a little curious.
He laughs while shaking his head. "I'm prejudiced against taking advantage of a drunk girl. I've got morals, Raya. Don't act so surprised."
I actually am a little surprised, but judging by the hurt in his expression, I shouldn't admit that.
"Well, have fun stalking your prey," I murmur as he claps Kade on the back.
"Always do," he jokes, but I forget all about Tag when Kade's lips find mine, and then his incredible arms wrap around me.
Thomas made some improvement today. Everyone is celebrating. He's still breathing on his own, and he wasn't supposed to be.
"Let's skip the party," he murmurs against my lips. "I'd rather enjoy the night by simply holding you in our room."
Before I can say anything, Billy Prize walks out, seeming pissed on his way to his car.
"Leaving already?" Kade drawls, not really seeming to care. I really wish I knew why everyone seems to hate Billy. He's nice enough.
"Yeah. Ash has a problem I'm about to deal with once and for all," he growls.
He rips the door open on his BMW and drives away before Kade can say anything else.
"I don't think she's real," Kade says with a shrug, prompting me to chuckle.
I just lean into him as we make our way toward the back where everyone is laughing and joking around. A poker table is set up, and Paul waves us over.
"You two up for a game? Billy and Tag just left, so we have two open spots."
I start to object, when Kade says, "Deal us in."
I glare at him, but he shrugs. "It's not like they don't know what they're getting themselves into."
I roll my eyes as he leads me over to the table.
"Kade tells us you're good," Wren says before taking a sip of his beer.
Good? These people use the word good at all the wrong times.
"I'll go ahead and tell you that you won't win. Not even one hand. Are you sure you want to play me?"
Paul's laughter climbs free, Wren grins huge, and another guy I haven't met shrugs.
"Let's see what you've got," the unknown guy with sandy blonde hair says. "I've been playing poker a while. The name is Rye Clanton."