Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“It's always like that,” she says, arranging her cards in some kind of order that makes sense to her, since this isn't a game that needs order. It's cute as hell. And she isn't exactly being truthful, because while we may always have banter, there's something different about her tonight.
I don't know if it's because this party is a non-official setting for us and we have nothing riding on this interaction together, or if it's because she's among her best friends, but she's more relaxed than I've ever seen her before.
And I suppose that could also have a lot to do with the fact that there's no way the douchebag is going to have the balls to come on to Clay Kiplin’s property and try to start some shit. Especially when he knows that she's with me, even if he's the only one who believes that.
Pax reads out the first community card, and we all start making our selections, but I'm feeling anything but humorous at the moment as I realize how awful it must’ve been for her that she never let her guard down unless she was somewhere she felt safe, like at a party with the entire Badger team in attendance.
I knew her ex was an asshole, but the more I get to know her, the more I realize how much he took from her in the process.
I hate him.
Pax reads all of our shuffled answers aloud, and our table erupts into laughter at the ridiculous responses we all came up with.
“Okay,” Pax says, holding up a response. “This is one hundred percent the winner. It’s hilarious.”
Monroe smiles and snatches the card out of his hand. “Of course it is,” she says. “I know you too well, Pax. I know exactly how to make you laugh.”
Pax’s smile shifts when he sets his eyes on his best friend, and I glance around to see if anybody else can tell how he's looking at her. My companions seem oblivious, but I catch that hint of longing, something I most likely would’ve missed if I hadn't been looking at Blakely the exact same way. Jury is out if he’s just curious on what it would be like to sleep with her, or if there's something more. Kind of like me.
Even though I'm leaning toward the latter. Not because I'm ready to run down Relationship Road, but because I genuinely like being around the girl. I've never had a friend that was a girl before, and I find it absolutely fascinating. There's something so inherently different about being friends with a woman, as opposed to a man, and I think that common friendship has only made me want her more.
Shit. I'm so fucking lost.
Maybe I should ask Pax for advice later.
But since he's one of the ones who keeps warning me away from Blakely, maybe that isn’t in my best interests either.
“Lawson?” Blakely asks like she’s said it a couple times.
I blink out of my thoughts, realizing I haven't put a response to the community card that Nash read. I quickly read the card, then throw out a random answer.
“You good?” Blakely asks, placing her hand gently on my forearm, true concern filling her eyes.
“Never been better,” I say, and I'm pretty sure I fucking mean that. All I'm doing is playing a card game with her, but I’ll sit here all fucking night if it means I can be next to her.
“Hey, baby,” Nash reads the community card out loud, preparing to read all of our answers. “Come back to my place and I will show you...” He pauses, reaching for the first random answer that we handed him. “A PowerPoint presentation.”
There are mild giggles at that, but even I know the random card I threw toward him wasn't stellar.
“Crippling debt,” he continues and there’s no laughter for that one. “Meatloaf the man,” he says shaking his head but chuckling slightly. “My Pokémon collection,” he continues and laughs a little, glancing at Blakely and her complete inability to have a poker face showing that was her card. “And finally,” he continues, his eyebrows raising as he reads the answer silently to himself before saying, “consensual sex.” He laughs and nods, wiggling that card between his fingers as he glances around the table.
His eyes land on Pax as he cocks a brow. “Is this your card, buddy? How many times have I told you, I'm no stranger to group scenes, all you have to do is say the word.”
I nearly spit out my drink I laugh so hard, and Blakely and Monroe join me.
Pax winks at Nash, but shakes his head. “Sorry to ruin all your fantasies about me, but that's not my card.”
“Who's is it then?” Nash asks, glancing around our table.
“Mine,” Reese answers, her voice so low I'm shocked I heard it at all. She timidly raises her hand, and Nash hands her the card. She tries to take it, but he holds on to it, keeping them connected as he looks into her eyes.