Rain’s phone sings some annoying song, and she holds a finger up to signal for me to stay put as she answers.
“Raya? Hey, whoa… Slow down… Calm down. I can’t understand you.”
Whatever is going on sounds serious, but I couldn’t care less. There’s a dark-haired siren calling to me, and I make my way over to her and the tattooed son of a bitch at her side.
Chapter 6
TRIA
Kode talking to Rain doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t. Nope. Not at all. I cannot be jealous of him and her, because they are best friends. And we’re a casual whatever. So, no. I’m not jealous.
“We can hit some slots if you want to,” Rye says in that deep voice that sounds like silk over gravel.
Damn, he’s sexy. But… He’s not Kode. No. Kode is temporary. Rye is always a little pissy and not usually approachable, but he’s always been nice to me because of Ethan. Which is more than I’m used to.
Just as I open my mouth to answer him, Kode’s deep, commanding voice comes from behind me and wraps around me like he’s touching me, even though he’s not.
“Actually, I promised Tria I’d show her the roulette table.”
He what? Is he seriously over here right now because he’s jealous of Rye?
I turn toward him, my eyes already brighter than they should be, and I smile despite my best attempt to restrain it. He’s sexier when he’s jealous.
His smirk curves on his lips, and I start wondering if there’s a way we can get out of here without anyone noticing.
“Shit,” Rain says, her whole face pale as she joins us. “Where did Dane go? He’s not answering his phone, and we have to go. Now.”
Kode’s body turns away from me when he goes to devote all of his attention to Rain. I’m not sure what’s going on, but when she wraps her arms around him, it’s more than I can take.
“So… slots?” I ask Rye, turning away from the sight that has me wanting to bite through nails.
I know they’re close—best friends. And we’re… just… fucking? Ugh, I hate myself right now.
Rye leads me through the casino, walking in a way that has women turning their heads to watch the bad boy. I’m not sure he even means to own such a sexy gait, but the natural prowess he possesses can’t go unnoticed.
“Don’t think Kode liked me talking to you. Something going on there? I thought you two hated each other,” he pries, but he does so with a careless tone that means he’s more curious than intrusively nosy.
If he’s noticing, then others might notice as well. Crap.
“He pushed me into the pool last night, embarrassed the shit out of me, and now Rain has him apologizing. He just doesn’t like you.”
Rye isn’t much of a laughing person, but he snorts out a small laugh after hearing that. “Dane either. They both thought I had a thing for Rain in high school. She was cute, but she sure as hell wasn’t worth the drama. They need to get over it.”
So Kode’s dislike stems from jealousy over Rain. Now I feel stupid.
“You’re the only person that I sort of know here. I thought Ethan and Wren were coming, or I wouldn’t have shown up. Where the hell are the lying bastards? I haven’t been able to get either one to answer my calls since I got here.”
I laugh at his annoyed tone. “Ethan had a last minute business thing and couldn’t leave Chicago. Wren came for a few hours, but his lawyer called about needing him to come sign papers. I think divorce papers, or maybe just something leading to divorce papers.”
He grimaces. “Damn. Hate that. Wren is too good of a guy to have to deal with Erica’s crazy breakdown. She’s acting like he’s the one who fucked her over. I’m just glad she’s gone. She never did like me.”
I laugh again, surprised by how sad it sounds. Kode hugging Rain shouldn’t be affecting me.
His phone rings, and I pause by the slot machine that looks to be out of order. This place is massive, and it’s absolutely chaotic. I don’t even see anyone from our party anymore. I didn’t even realize we managed to stray so far.
“We’re… well, I’d say by the slot machines, but there’s like a million. We’ll walk back toward the front and meet you there.”