Forever Mine – Katrina Marie #3
Tiffany falls over laughing. "No, we didn't bring costumes, but there's a convention coming up soon.
We'll have to get together when we're dressed up so you can take some photos.
" She gathers her composure and plugs the air mattress into the outlet and turns the knob until air begins filling it.
"I also think Stella would die if our official engagement photos were us cosplaying.
When we suggested adding some comic fun to the wedding, she lost her shit. "
"You do know it's your wedding, right?" Opening the bottom drawer of the dresser, I pull out one of the fitted sheets Stella keeps in there.
Carter may be a pain in the ass, but I' won’t let him sleep on that scratchy felt that covers the mattress.
"You can do whatever you want. You don't have to let her bulldoze over you because that's what she usually does. "
"You're one to talk." She grabs a pillow off the bed and throws it at me. "When are you going to stop letting your brother tell you who you can and can't see?"
"He doesn't."
"Yes, he does." Tiff checks the firmness of the air mattress. "You and Carter could be happy together if he wasn't always throwing hints about y'all being a bad idea."
"That's not the only problem between us."
"I know. But admit it, you still have feelings for him." She flutters her lashes and makes kissing sounds.
"Not so loud. You are literally the only person who knows. I can't let my brother overhear." I glance at the door to make sure nobody is nearby. "He'll lose his shit, and I'll be stuck sleeping on this mattress in his room."
Tiffany bites her bottom lip before turning toward the wall to pull the plug out now that the mattress is full. "Well, I'm not the only person."
"What do you mean?"
"I may have told Spencer." She faces me again. "But you don't have to worry, he's not going to say anything to anyone."
Shit. I have to get downstairs. If guys talk like girls do, one of them is bound to slip.
Never mind the fact they have alcohol added to the equation.
Our secret will be out in the open and I'll have to break up a fight.
"Help me get this bed made. Then we can head downstairs to make sure nobody says a word. "
"Fine," she grunts. "I'll help, but you also didn't deny having feelings for him."
"Shut up." I grab the pillow she threw at me and toss it back at her. She's quick and dodges without a problem, but the damn thing hits the lamp. It teeters from side to side, and I think it's going to fall, but Tiff comes to the rescue again and moves it back into place.
"You better be happy I stopped that. I'm almost certain the lamp is an antique."
"Let's not add murder to the weekend agenda." I laugh.
We make quick work of putting the sheet down and the blanket on top of it. I'm not even sure why I'm going through all this trouble. We aren't dating. Not anymore.
I can't push aside the gratitude I felt when he brought me snacks from the gas station.
After the way I treated him, he didn't have to bring me anything.
He did, though. And if the closeness between us a few moments ago is any sign, we both have some desire still hiding beneath the surface.
But we shouldn't. Not after everything that went down between us.
"You okay?" Tiffany asks.
Shaking my head to clear away the thoughts, I nod. "Yep. Let's get downstairs. I think I need a margarita."
"You're speaking to my heart," she grins and helps me off the floor. "Though you better be careful with the alcohol, or Carter might be sharing your bed."
Rolling my eyes, I follow her out of the room, closing the door behind us. "I don't think so. That'll never happen, and if my brother found out, he'd be pissed. That would be a long, uncomfortable drive back to Austin. I'm definitely not ready for that."
"Not ready for what?" My brother is making his way toward us. Holy shit. Talk about a close call.
"To get completely drunk." I shrug. "If that happens, I'll be worthless tomorrow, and how am I supposed to take photos of the bride-to-be if I'm still in bed?"
"Okay," he drawls out, eyeing me as if I'm hiding something. I am, but he doesn't need to know that. As long as he's in the dark, everything is good. Well, other than these old feelings creeping up despite me trying to bury them with little success.
"We'll see you downstairs." I grin.
"Yeah," Tiff adds. "I'm going to look for the cards. I think a game of spoons is on the table for tonight."
"Dear God, no." Justin runs his hand down his face as he passes us. "This is not good."
"What's he talking about?" We make our way down the stairs.
"I have no idea." I don't miss the gleam in her eyes, though. There's something she's definitely not telling me, and I think I'm about to find out what it is.
CARTER
"You have to be cheating!" Justin yells.
Everyone in the kitchen is laughing. The type where you hold your stomach because you can't control it.
Except Justin. He's staring at the table in utter disbelief.
"There's no way in hell you made it clear across the table to get the spoon without me noticing. "
"You have to pay attention," Tiffany sing-songs. "You shouldn't be surprised, though. I haven't changed since we were kids. You know damn well I'm ruthless."
"And that is why I admire you, Tiff," I say before taking a sip of my beer. "Anyone who can knock Mr. Perfect down a peg is pretty amazing if you ask me."
"Hey," my best friend scoffs, "I'm not perfect."
Corinne shakes her head. Stella and Johnny are between us, and I wish like hell she would have picked the seat beside me. I don't blame her, though. Not completely. Especially after that almost kiss. Maybe I took it too far. She didn't exactly back down, and it's enough to give me hope.
"Are y'all ready for another round?" Tiffany holds her hand out for all the spoons. "Except you, Justin. You're officially out of the game."
"I hate this stupid game." He gets up and walks to the fridge. "We are grown ass adults. We should be playing something like poker."
"Except that isn't any fun." I add to the smack talk. "I'm pretty sure I won't be far behind you, buddy. I barely got the last spoon, and I think Tiff is going to knock us all out before it's said and done."
"Literally," Corinne snickers. "I thought this was supposed to be a non-violent game?"
"Clearly, you've never played with these three," Justin points toward the table. "They get downright dirty. When we were teens, I saw Tiffany pull Stella across the table until she held the last spoon in her hand."
"Damn, that's brutal." I shake my head. "You are definitely not someone to mess with."
"It got pretty intense when we were on the ski trip, too." Johnny groans. "I played football in high school, and I'm not tiny. She ripped that spoon out of my hand like she had superpowers." He shivers, and I can't comprehend this small redhead besting Johnny.
"How do you know I don't? I mean, there's a reason other than my stunning looks that Spencer fell for me." Tiffany pours herself another margarita and sits down at the table. "Now, who is ready to lose?"
Spencer mutters something under his breath, but I can't make it out. I don't miss the smack on his shoulder, though. It must have been pretty bad. Everyone gets ready for the next round. There's no telling how this is going to turn out, but I'm almost certain Tiffany will come out on top.
One after one, people leave the table. First, it's Stella, then Johnny. Audrey has to leave the table next. Spencer holds out until close to the end, but now there are only three of us left. Me, Corinne and Tiffany.
We all had to move close together so we could be equal distance from the two spoons on the table. One of us has to get Tiffany off the leaderboard. There's no way she's winning the whole thing. Corinne gets antsy in her chair. The anticipation is too much for her to bear.
Her leg brushes against mine, and I lose all focus.
My hand reaches under the table, wondering if she did it on purpose.
Her leg is still against mine, and I can't think.
I make it seem like I'm brushing a crumb off my pants.
Anything to hide my true intentions. My pinky gliding across her knee.
It has to be subtle. Everyone is looking this way, trying to see who the victor is going to be.
That distraction cost me. I look down and both spoons are gone. "You cheated," I whisper to Corinne.
"No, sweetie, I distracted you. There's a difference." She winks and then hands me the spoon. "It's time for you to join the loser's circle."
Damn, and I thought Tiffany was ruthless. Corinne knows how to knock a man down. Not that I didn't know that before. "Fine. But for that, I'll be cheering for her." I point at Tiffany.
"I don't need your cheering, Carter. I have practiced skills." She beams at me. "Now, run along and refill our drinks, please."
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to get me drunk." Corinne laughs. "You realize I can drink just as much as you and still keep up with the game, right?"
Tiffany shrugs. "It's worth a shot."
While Tiffany shuffles the cards, I grab their glasses and fill them with the last of the margaritas. After setting them in front of the two women, I join the losers' circle . All of our attention is on the table. I'm pretty sure most of us are hoping Tiffany will lose.
Tiffany deals the cards, and Corinne is studying them like it's a final exam.
In a way, I guess it is since she's trying to knock her off her high horse.
The game begins as Tiffany picks up a card and passes another along.
This game is as much about bullshitting the person you're playing against as it is about quick reaction times.
The only caveat, you can't let them know you're going for the spoon.
Otherwise, a war ensues. At least, that's been the case playing against Tiffany.