Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
SAVANNAH
Calliope’s Column
It’s Not Him, It’s You (Kind Of)
Rule Number 7: Don’t Bring a Cock Ring to a Sex Class with His Friends (They’ve Got it Covered!).
Josie snorts from just over my shoulder. My column goes to copy this afternoon, but I like to get her feedback before I submit, so here we are.
“Thank god my parents didn’t go,” she mumbles as she scans the article. “If not for Scar’s dance competition, I’d be reading about my parents gyrating to tantric music, huh?”
I drop my head into my hands, torn between laughing and groaning. “It was so fucking awkward.”
When I straighten and brush the hair from my face, Josie is grinning. “You’re happy.”
I roll my eyes, cursing the way my cheeks heat at her observation.
Obviously, I am. And not just because of Camden.
It’s hard not to feel good when so much is going well for me.
The articles are getting good traction, and with Sienna at the helm, work is better than ever.
I’ve been added to the group chat with Sara, Lennox, Hannah, Ava, Millie, and Sienna.
It’s a little weird, considering Ava is Josie’s mom and Sienna is my boss, but I absolutely won’t complain about the way Camden’s friends have included me so easily.
On top of all that, I haven’t heard from either of my parents in weeks. That always makes my life feel more stable.
And yeah, Camden. Things are good. I’m moving into his house this weekend, and though he’s been traveling a lot, he texts all day long and calls as often as he can.
“I am happy,” I tell her. “And also a little nervous because I haven’t seen Camden in a week, and he just texted, asking me to join him and his friends in the owner’s suite for tonight’s Bolts game.”
“Oh!” Josie’s eyes dance. “That’s fun.”
“I guess. But the girls texted, insisting that I wear Camden’s jersey. They mentioned something about a ‘jersey effect.’”
Eyes narrowed, my friend steps closer. “Wait, I’m your girl. What do you mean ‘the girls’”—she uses air quotes—“texted you?”
Snorting, I pick up my phone. “So possessive.” I unlock the screen and show her the group chat I’ve been added to.
Sara: Oh my god, I just found out the studio has cameras. We can relive the glorious moment when Hannah made Daniel come in his short shorts.
Millie: I’ve done a lot of shitty things in my life, I know, but I DON’T DESERVE THIS.
Hannah: Sorry, Mills. To be fair, you weren’t there or I wouldn’t have done it.
Lennox: LOL. That is SUCH A LIE.
Ava: Agreed. Pretty sure we’ve all seen Daniel’s dick at this point, and it’s your fault, since you can’t keep your hands off him.
Josie gasps. “Mom.”
I shake my head. “Their chat is more unhinged than ours. It’s”—I shudder—“disturbing.”
Millie: Sienna, I’ll pay you fifty bucks if you tell us a story about Noah.
Hannah: Noah’s an angel who doesn’t have sex.
Ha. One look at Hannah’s brother in those slutty glasses when he’s with his wife makes it clear that he’s game for all sorts of dirty things.
I’m still certain that on the day I showed up at her office door to interview her, he’d just serviced her.
He was leaving, and she was flushed. Not to mention the buttons on her shirt were done up wrong.
Sienna: Three of you are married to my brothers. I’m saying nothing because I don’t want to know a thing about your sex lives.
Lennox: My sex life is incredible. The things your brother can do.
Sienna: LENNOX!
Sara: 10/10 recommend Brookie’s blinged-out dick.
Hannah: Speaking of blinged-out dicks…Savannah, you’ve been awfully quiet since we added you. Tell us, does Camden have jewels like our guys?
Josie shakes her head. “I shouldn’t be reading this. Please tell me they don’t talk about my dad.”
I snag the phone and scroll past the confirmation that almost all the guys, including her dad, have blinged-out dicks. From what I gather, it started with a truth or dare game between Aiden, Brooks, and Josie’s dad. But yeah, she doesn’t need to know that.
“Okay, you’re safe to start here.” I hand the phone back.
“Wait.” She swallows audibly, her face paling. “Does that mean you now know what my dad’s…thing looks like?”
Huffing, I hop up on the edge of my desk. “Almost the entire OG Bolts team has blinged-out dicks. Get over it.”
She gags, her whole body convulsing. “I hate my life.”
“You love it. Now read.” I point at the screen. “I need your help with the jersey thing.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then looks up at me and shrugs. “They want you to wear a Camden Snow jersey. That makes sense.” She taps the screen a few times, then passes my phone back.
Nerves swirl in my stomach. “What did you just do?”
Before she can answer, my phone buzzes. This time it’s a message in the group chat with my girls.
Me: This is Josie. Today I learned things about your uncles and my dad that I never needed to know. I’ll spare you the pain, Addie, but long story short, your aunts suggested that Sav wear a Camden Snow jersey to the Bolts game tonight. Thoughts?
Me: Yeah, they swear there’s something about a woman wearing a man’s name.
Addie: Definitely not just a man thing.
Across from me, Josie snorts and pulls out her own phone.
Josie: Oh my god, did we just unlock an Adeline Langfield kink?!
Addie: Lol. Like any man would ever wear my name on his back. But yeah, that’s hot. You should totally do it.
Me: Where would I even find one? I can’t imagine they’re still being sold. He retired years ago.
Addie: wear HIS jersey. All these guys are the same. He definitely has a few hanging in his closet.
Humming, Josie peers up at me, her phone screen lighting up her face. “You do have a key to his place.”
I shake my head. “I can’t just break into his house and steal a jersey.”
Brow creased, she gives me an exasperated look. “Thought you were moving in. So it’s not exactly breaking in, is it? Come on, let’s go to his place. We can find a jersey, and I’ll help you get ready to hang out with my mom and her ridiculous friends.”
“You seem very bothered by the fact that I’m hanging with them.”
She darts into her cubicle and pulls her purse from a drawer. “It’s just weird. But I’m serious. I’ll help you get ready.”
Nerves flutter in my belly again. Yes, I have a key, but it doesn’t feel right to just walk into his house with a friend in tow and rifle around in his closet. “I don’t know.”
“Come on.” She snags my bag from my desk and holds it out to me. “We’re doing this.”
Knowing there is no point in arguing with Josie, I type out a quick message to Camden.
Me: Hey, I was thinking about stopping by the house with Josie before the game. Is that okay?
The fluttering turns into full-on flapping in my stomach as I wait for him to respond.
I should have known better than to be nervous, though, because of course the man comes back with the perfect response.
Daddy: It’s your house, baby girl. Have friends over. Make yourself comfortable. I can’t wait to see you tonight.