Down for Her by Melissa Chambers (best electronic book reader .txt) 📕

“Nope,” Brett says, holding Jack’s gaze.

“Good. Let’s get a beer,” Jack says.

Asher puts one arm around Jack’s shoulder and the other around Brett’s. “The three dickheads, back in business,” he says with a huge grin. “Who wants a shot of spiced rum?” he asks, and I’m taken aback when both Jack and Brett break out in reluctant smiles. I think this is some kind of inside joke between the three of them.

Jack glances at Brett. “He’ll take two.”

Brett considers Jack, looking like he wants to respond but can’t bring himself to do it. Instead he walks to the fridge. “We’ve got IPA, sour beer, and some of those seltzer drinks.”

“Kylie,” Bailey says, and I turn to face her. “Come outside with me. I want to show you this awesome boat across the way.”

I follow her out the door, and she pulls me a few boats down and then faces me. “I just wanted to talk to you about why I’m here with Jack.”

“Okay,” I say with a shrug.

“I know that you’re living with Tori now, and I don’t want anything to be weird.”

“What would be weird?”

“It’s just that I’m not like here here with him. I mean…I’m not expecting anything. We work together and nothing can happen because of that. And, of course, because of Tori, too.” She gives me a significant look.

I raise my eyebrows, waiting for the rest of her story.

She lets out a sigh. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention that I came here with Jack.”

“Okay, but aren’t we all just having a drink together?”

“Yes, of course. That’s all it is,” she says as if she’s convincing herself.

I take her hand. “Hey, it’s fine.”

Bailey scratches her forehead, scrunching up her face. “I just wish I didn’t do this. I go for these unavailable guys who will never want me.”

“Is Jack unavailable?”

“For all intents and purposes, yes. He’s hung up on Tori. He’s been hung up on her ever since they broke up.”

“So, where does that put you?”

“It puts me in the same place I’ve been since the day I met him. The friend zone.”

“Would you rather be in the friend zone or completely off the playing field?”

She frowns. “I do want to stay on the playing field.”

“Then let’s just go in and have a drink.”

She smiles. “Cool.” She starts to walk away, but I stop her. “Hey, so what’s the story with Brett and Jack tonight? They seem to have put their differences on hold.”

“Who knows with boys? But if I had to guess, I’d say neither of them wants to look like they’re the immature one holding a grudge.”

“Neither wants to air their dirty laundry?” I ask.

“Exactly.”

I grin. “It’s fun to watch them squirm around each other.”

“I know, right? I can enjoy myself and settle in for the show now that you and I have talked. Thanks for being a good friend even though you don’t know me.”

“Thanks for trusting me.”

She smiles, and we head back to the boat.

“Who is this girl, by the way?” I ask.

“Just met her tonight. She’s with Asher.”

“Ah, then this was a double date.”

“No,” Bailey says, hesitating outside the door to the cabin. “I was kind of in the right place at the right time, I think. I was in Jack’s office talking when they came by to surprise him. Asher’s the one who asked me to come tonight, not Jack.”

For some reason, this makes me feel better about hiding the full details of the night from Tori. Not that she’ll even care or ask me about it. Something tells me Brett won’t want to rehash any of this with her either.

“However you got here, you’re here,” I say. “Let’s go in and watch Brett and Jack act like they love each other.”

19

Brett

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m glad that Jack showed up. Things were getting out of hand with Kylie. I don’t know why I can’t seem to keep myself in check around her. She has this way of making me feel like things are going to be okay. There’s something about her that’s stabilizing in my world that’s constantly upended. As much as I want to get close to her, I like her too much for that. I can’t have a repeat of what happened with Madison.

“It’s your turn, Hargrove,” Jack says, looking me in the eye, daring me. Or fuck, maybe that’s just how he looks at people.

“I’m no good at this game. I’ve done everything.”

“I believe that,” Bailey says, winking at Kylie.

“I bet there’s plenty you haven’t done,” Jack says.

“If you’re referring to trips to Monte Carlo, then yeah, I’ve never done that shit.” I smile at Kylie. “I’ve never been to Aspen.” Everyone drinks except for Kylie and Jack, and I’m sorry I said it.

Kylie smiles at him. “You ski?”

“I’m the king of the bunny slope,” he says.

“Come on. I bet you’re at least a six or a seven,” she says.

He shrugs. “I can manage down a decent hill without breaking my neck. What about you?”

“I can ski past you down that same hill.”

This gets a robust reaction from the group, and I sip my beer, looking away. The last thing I need right now is to see the two of them bonding.

Asher puts his arm around Corinne. “Corinne’s a competitive ice skater.”

She rolls her eyes. “When I was little. I’d bust my ass hard if I tried that now.”

“Impressive,” Kylie says. “So you can spin and jump and all that?”

“She can,” Asher says. “She’s being modest.”

Corinne waves him off. “Never have I ever walked in on people having sex.”

Bailey drinks, and everyone laughs. “My parents, when I was fourteen. Scarred for life.”

“Anyone else?” Asher asks.

Kylie scratches an eyebrow, clearly uncomfortable.

“This is a stupid game,” I say. “Who wants another drink?”

“I’ll take one,” Corinne says.

I look at Kylie and she nods.

Jack asks Bailey, “You want another one?”

“Okay,” she says with that smile that conveys she really wishes we’d all leave her