Page 78 of Tease
Their eyes are playful when they point to an opened bottle of beer, ice chips sliding down its side.
“No way! We knew you’d be here soon. We’re just excited to see some new sexy eye candy up in here!” Ajani states while Brittney giggles, nodding her agreement.
If I didn’t trust these ladies with my life, there’s no way I’d be grabbing this already opened, cold beer and taking a huge sip while sitting down next to them. We really did get the best seats; our table is directly in front of the stage, right in the middle. I look around the room, my eyes browsing over everyone that’s here. Tickets for this event must have sold out; the tables and seats are starting to fill up.
Brittney leans dramatically over the table. “So, Kailey, anything you want to share with the table?”
Ajani sets her drink down and gives me her full attention.
I lightly tap my chin. “Mmm, no. Nope. Nothing comes to mind.”
Brittney kicks my foot under the table. “You little hussy. You’ve been holding out on us!” Her finger points to herself then Ajani, before crossing her arms underneath her chest. “I knew something had been different with you. But then I overheard Beau and Skyler talking about how you and Jared are a thing!”
Ajani shoves Brittney’s shoulder playfully. “Give her a break. Maybe she was waiting until we had more alcohol in us. Then we couldn’t be sure if it was all true tomorrow…”
I hold out my finger to shush them both and chug down my beer in one go. They both start to do a drum roll with their hands against the top of the table, waiting for me.
Once my beer is finished, I wipe my mouth before finally answering their question. “Well, we haven’t actually put a label on it… but yeah, we’re texting, and hanging out when we bothcan.” Ajani and Brittney listen as I continue to tell them about Mattie’s impromptu visit at the apartment, and how he acted off and was a bit crazy.
“He told you that the door was unlocked? But we never leave it unlocked.” Brittney looks worried.
Ajani’s tone turns serious. “But you know what he does for a living, KC. Are you sure that you’ll be okay? He did seem a little possessive over you.”
“I mean, I thought about dating him for, like, a second… but we’d always been just fuck buddies. So he couldn’t have really beentooshocked.”
“So you haven’t heard from Mathew since he left your place?”
“After saying that I’d be Jared’s if I wasn’this… like I’m some sort of property… Nope. Not a word from him.”
Brittney slumps in her chair, hands rubbing up and down her arms. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when he was. I feel like you could’ve been seriously hurt.”
I squeeze her shoulder. “Mattie would never hurt me; he cares too much.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Oh, and Jared surprised me with tickets to the ‘Only Smut and Happy Endings for Me’ event. I finally got to meet my favorite authors in person! He bought me their books—the ones that I didn’t already have. AJ Wilding and Kristina Brand are so nice in real life!”
Ajani’s mouth drops open. “Your man took you to a book event?” She sits up straighter. “Okay, he’s definitely a keeper. I mean, a man that knows you like smut and chose to go with you?”
Brittney’s smile gives her away. Iknewshe must have told him about my smut obsession.
“Yeah, it was really amazing. Jared is great.” A ping of sadness hits my heart, realizing how much time I’ve already lost with this man.
The overhead lights dim down as a spotlight follows Darla’s walk to the middle of the small stage.
“Welcome, ladies!!!” She shields her eyes from the light. “Ohh, and some men I see out there!”
Everyone in the audience cheers.
“I’ve got quite the treat tonight for three lucky customers…” Darla makes a show of dramatically pointing to the audience.
Ajani pokes my side. “Holy shit! Look!”
We all look as men walk on stage and place three chairs down, perfectly spaced out in a triangle shape.
Darla continues, “Before everyone arrived, some of our men secretly chose a partner. They’ve informed me that if you werechosen, you’ll find a piece of rope taped underneath your seat.”
The audience breaks out in gasps, and the room fills with sounds of chairs being pushed around.
