Chapter 36
Jen
Ididn’t expect a clean break. Not when my best friend is marrying Sloan’s best friend. And definitely not when Beautiful Deceit fills the speakers in my car, the speakers at work, and social media is still alight with photos of the kiss between Sloan and Luke.
What I didn’t expect however, was the near constant onslaught of messages from them both. It’s gotten worse in the two days since Sloan got home.
Even though we aren’t sleeping together anymore, I’m still painfully aware of their tour schedule, including the weeks Sloan’s in town.
So, despite my better judgment, when I get invited to Noah and Sienna’s Labor Day party, I accept, even though I know Sloan and Luke will both be there.
Sloan 8:54pm
I hate this. We miss you.
Jen 8:55pm
You’re killing me.
You guys look happy. And things are finally working out for you.
Why rock the boat?
Luke 8:55pm
Sloan was never meant for the confines of society’s boxes. You know that.
And honestly, your tits are to die for. I’d rock an entire yacht for them.
Luke’s text pulls a laugh begrudgingly from my lips, making me smile for the first time in days. Sloan’s approach has been a little heavy whereas Luke has gone with a lighter tone of guilt tripping.
Sloan 8:56pm
You’re coming to Noah’s tomorrow right?
Jen 8:56pm
Yes, I’ll be there.
Luke 8:57pm
We’re in the mood for Oreos and we’re gonna need the crème. ;)
Ohmygod, no he didn’t just refer to us as an Oreo. I could swear I never once used that analogy in front of them.
I plug my phone in next to my bed, knowing I’m probably too wound up to sleep now despite the shitshow that was work.
There has been no shortage of pick-up attempts from Adam.
Apologies for past behavior. Invitations for dinner or drinks.
Today, he was particularly annoying and brought me flowers — as if that is even remotely professional.
I’m finally close to reporting him but really need a Plan B for a place of employment in case it doesn’t get better.
As I will myself to sleep, I beg my thoughts to go any direction other than a dark, curly headed guitarist who’s as lethal with his tongue as he is his fingers or the kind smile of an Army physician who puts his whole heart into serving those around him.
No dice.
It seems calling things off with Sloan and Luke had the opposite effect of what I’d hoped for. Instead of feeling “free” to see who I want, when I want, work as much as I want, and revel in my independence, I’ve become the girl I never wanted to be.
Glued to my phone.
Smiling like an idiot when one of them texts.
Spending hours thinking about calling them, then being pissed when they don’t call me.
Isn’t it dumb how we sabotage ourselves for reasons that we made up in the first place?
Fuck my independence, I want to be hounded by Luke and Sloan all day every day.
I want my group text alert dinging nonstop with Sloan’s stupid GIFs and Luke’s pictures of his shoes because he somehow always manages to hit the wrong button on his phone.
I want to have a FaceTime threesome again, dinner at Ruffilo’s, and bonfires where I’m passed back and forth between the two of them.
I want to catch them sharing a kiss at the breakfast table.
I want to watch backstage as part of our trio slays on the guitar, pouring his emotions out on that stage only for us to fill him back up when he’s done.
I want to hear about Luke’s patient caseload and his days in the ER. I want to work in his ER.
Holy fucking shit. I’m as in love with Luke as I am with Sloan. When did that happen?
Suddenly, I’m giddy with the prospect of seeing them at the Labor Day party tomorrow.
The level of excitement I have at seeing them would be embarrassing if I gave a shit anymore. Everyone’s cars are all around the circular driveway when I pull up outside Noah and Sienna’s gorgeous farmhouse, knowing I’m the last to arrive.
Their housekeeper greets me and leads me out back to their stone pool deck and my heart skips multiple beats in a row.
I don’t know how long I stand here staring, but the first thing I see is Sloan taking a flying leap into the pool, arms outstretched, big-ass grin on his face as he tries to catch a football Noah is throwing to him.
God, how I’ve missed his carefree spirit.
His easy laugh. His kind heart. Those damn hazel eyes.
He lands with a splash and as soon as he surfaces, Luke tries to tackle him but Sloan lobs the ball toward Ryan.
It looks like maybe Brett is supposed to be defending Ryan but they’re in the shallow end and Brett doesn’t stand a chance.
“Dude!” he shouts as Ryan easily walks the ball past the markers denoting a touchdown. “You should only be allowed to play in the deep end, you fucking beanstalk.”
Emma feigns outrage. “Hey! Don’t you speak to my fiancé that way.”
“Gag me,” Brett moans.
“Ryan already did that before we came,” she fires back.
“Bri, pack our shit up. We’re leaving,” Brett announces.
Bri cackles. “Oh be quiet, you wanted anal first thing this morning. You can handle a little gag joke.”
Brett scrubs a hand down his face. “Jesus, Bri.”
“Oh please, do go on,” Sloan tells Bri. “Your story times never disappoint.”
Bri laughs even harder and waves a hot dog in Sloan’s direction. “I think it’s your turn to entertain us.”
Before Sloan can start in on his recent sexual adventures with Luke, I step further onto the deck where everyone can see me. A chorus of “JEN!” rings out and makes me smile.
“Hey guys, sorry I’m late.”
“Party’s just getting started!” Emma says as she rushes over to give me a hug. “Want a drink?”
It’s only eleven-thirty and this is an all-day thing so I need to start light. “Just a lemonade please.”
“But with vodka,” Sloan pipes up.
“I’ll be asleep by one if that happens,” I laugh, unable to take my eyes off of him.
“Fine,” he grumbles, lifting himself out of the deep end by planting his hands on the pool deck. “Just the lemonade for now.” He stalks toward me with a jovial smile but I can tell he’s up to something.
“Hi, Sloan.” Fuck my life. My words come out dripping with desire.
“Jen,” he says with a knowing smile. “This is a pool party you know.” He drops his eyes across my jeans shorts and t-shirt.
“I’m aware.” My heart is galloping. Just go wrap your arms around his neck you dumb cunt.
“Do you have your phone?” he asks, the random question totally catching me off guard.
“Um, yeah. It’s in my bag.”
“Can I see your bag for a second?”
Curious and confused, I slide the pool bag off my shoulder and hold it out for him.
The next move is lightning quick and if I’d been thinking with my brain instead of my pussy, I would’ve seen it coming.
“Si, catch!” Sloan tosses my bag to Sienna and then dives for my legs, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. I squeal and he slaps me on the ass. “Hold your breath!” he yells right before he takes both of us into the pool.
He lets go of my legs as soon as we hit the water so I don’t get hurt but he still gets back to the surface before me. He pulls on my arm and drags me to the shallow end so I can stand as I use my free hand to wipe water out of my eyes.
“Goddammit, Sloan.” There’s no real anger in my words and I’m laughing so he knows I’m not mad.
“Well, you refuse to let me get you wet any other way, so you left me no choice.”
What am I supposed to say to that? I don’t even know why I’ve been dying on this hill anyway. To prove they’re just like my parents? To prove that they can’t love me as much as they love each other? Haven’t they already tried showing me that they can?
“Lucky!” Sloan barks. “I think we should help Ms. Hayes get out of these wet clothes, don’t you?”
“Definitely. Wouldn’t want her catching a cold.”
“A cold? It’s eighty-four degrees out here, you fools.
” My laughter dies in my throat, and everyone else around the pool deck vanishes when Luke swims up to me.
His wet hair darker than its normal sandy blonde.
His abs are visible, albeit distorted, because he’s kneeling so the water comes up to his chin.
His gray eyes hit mine and the intensity behind them makes me pull my bottom lip between my teeth.
Sloan has moved behind me and is working on getting my shirt off while Luke is in front of me, getting my shorts off in the water.
The denim is heavy because it’s drenched so Luke stands, towering over me and taking the shorts with him. They make a loud thwap as they land on the stone and Luke’s eyes drift down to my chest.
I want him to kiss me. But Luke is a gentleman and he won’t take without permission.
With a ragged inhale, he falls backwards into the water and swims away.
“I’m going to start the burgers and hot dogs,” Brett announces. All the guys grab their drinks and crowd around the grill to keep the cook company so the girls and I grab floats and lazily drift around the pool.
“So, Jen, what’s up with you and the fantastically fuckable duo?” Bri asks when we’re all huddled on the other side of the massive pool. With the radio on in the background, the guys can’t hear us over the music.
“They want me to give it another try.”
“Do you want to give it another try?” Emma asks.
“So much,” I laugh-groan.
“Vodka up!” Noah shouts as he sets a tray of vodka-lemonade drinks on the edge of the pool. We flock to it like pigs being called in for feeding time. If I fall asleep by one, I’ll just assume there will be a dick and balls on my forehead when I wake up. Whatever.
After taking a hearty sip, I look up to see Bri, Emma, and Sienna all eyeing me expectantly, waiting for me to continue where I left off, so I oblige.
“I took myself out of the equation before they could, but honestly, I’ve been miserable ever since.”
“Based on the looks both men are giving you right now, I don’t think they consider you the lesser of the trio, babe,” Bri says, nodding toward the men behind me.