My happily ever after died in a car wreck two years ago.
I offer her a smile to help ease some of her concern. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Now, let’s go have some fun. Oh! Speaking of fun…” Her eyes dart over my shoulder. “Bridge, have you met my brother’s best friend, Chase? Not sure if you two met at Kip’s wedding—oh wait, you were sick.”
Nerves explode inside me. Please don’t let him be behind me. There’s a chance Kip has more than one friend named—
“S’up, Hannah Banana.” Nope. That’s him. “No, actually I haven’t, but I’d love to meet your cousin.” Crap. His tone is less seductive than I remember. Possibly a bit of anger in there.
“You having a bad day? Geez. Put the fangs away. Chase, this is my cousin, Bridget. I’m not sure if you two have met.”
Oh, we have. In a lot of ways.
I suck in a breath and turn around. “Nice to meet you.” I start to turn back around, but he reaches out, captures my hand, and shakes it. And by shaking, I think he’s trying to dislocate my arm.
“Oh no, it’s nice to meet you. Do tell, who exactly are you again?”
Chase and I hold one another’s heated glare. Unlike last night, when our gazes were filled with passion, this one is loaded with anger, confusion, and a tiny bit of I’m in deep trouble. The last one is mainly coming from me. We’re in a stand off until Hannah speaks up, reminding me she’s been witnessing our strange interaction.
“Chase, chill out. I know you lack in manners, but maybe show a tiny bit.” We don’t budge. “Yeah, okay…so, you can probably let go of her—shoot, Levi’s waiving me over. You two get to know one another. I’ll be back.” Hannah scurries off across the lawn to Levi’s side without another word. We, on the other hand, don’t move a muscle.
“So, Angel, ready to confess? Or are you going to admit what I already know? You’re exactly what I thought—the devil.”
I hiss, snatching my hand back. “Oh, give me a break.” Rolling my eyes, I turn on my heel to put as much space between us as possible. Preferably an entire planet. He captures my bicep, stopping me.
“I don’t think so. We’re not done talking. You’re going to explain to me why you tricked me. How’d you even get into that bar last night? You’re not even—”
“It’s called a fake ID. And please, tricked you? There wasn’t anything that happened you weren’t on board with. Well…except our lack of talking.”
He hisses back at me. “I didn’t want to talk.”
“Really? You only offered a million times. And for the record, I’m not in the market for a bestie, so if you’re wanting to make friendship bracelets, curl each other’s hair, and talk until I slice my ears off, you can buzz off.”
His eyes widen to the size of saucers. “You—I’ve never—”
“Met me? I know, because I’ve never met you either. Glad we’re on the same page. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to look for better company.” His lips part in shock. He drops my hand, and I take the opportunity to race as far as I can from a man who has awoken every single nerve-ending in my body…and maybe my dormant heart.
Chapter 4
Chase
I’m not a talker. I’m not a fucking talker! “And I don’t listen,” I mutter to myself as I chug my beer, my eyes darting directly across the pool to my new nemesis. Legs that go on for days. Hair that feels velvety smooth wrapped around my fist. Those little pouty lips I can still feel buzzing around my cock. No good, lying, sexy little minx. And I swear, if Ben doesn’t stop flirting with her, I’m going to go knock him out.
“Dude, what’s up with the scowl? You still in a pissy mood?” I turn to Levi and take another pull of my beer. “I’ve told you a million times, Kip doesn’t care.”
I shrug. “Well, he should. How do you know she even likes you? Gonna put a ring on her finger? Let her take all your money? Next, she’s gonna make you talk and listen all the time. Chicks do that.”
Levi chuckles next to me. “Well, for one, I enjoy listening to her. And I’m pretty sure she’s just as in love with me as I am with her.”
I shrug again. Another gulp. “Whatever. Your funeral.” Did Ben just touch her shoulder? Cocksucker!
“You know, maybe if you stopped being so against love and tried it out, you might find yourself enjoying it. There’s more to chicks than just sex, man.”
Yeah. Lying. Deceiving. The devil in an angel suit. “Whatever you say.” I finish my beer and fight not to whip it across the pool at Ben’s big ass nose. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I walk away, leaving Levi and his annoying smirk to seek out one of Mr. Matthews’ burgers. If anything will make me feel better, it’s his damn good grilling.