3. Adam #3
I swallow my laugh the moment Jensen whacks Beck in the back of the head.
“Ow. It’s what she said,” Beck says in defense.
Callie snorts. “Sounds like she’ll fit right in. I can’t wait to meet her.”
If Jensen invited her, maybe she invited Mia, too. I want to ask, but Callie would jump all over that opportunity.
A few minutes go by, then Tripp and Emma show up, and the conversation switches to Jensen talking about the work Emma did in her shop today.
When the doorbell rings again, I find myself hoping that it’s Mia. Surely she would have said something if she was coming? Or maybe not, considering our one true conversation was yesterday.
It was a damn good one, though.
When Dex and Lucie come in, I slowly make my way over to the couch and pull out my phone.
Are you coming to Beck and Jensen’s tonight?
No, I’m at Winedown. I have payroll to prep and all that fun stuff.
You actually think it’s fun, don’t you?
Uh yeah! Is it the most fun part? No, but there’s something satisfying about seeing how perfect the systems you’ve put in place are working.
So it’s vanity fun.
Pretty sure I just said that.
What about you, what kind of fun are you having tonight?
Normal fun. With games and this massive spread of food. Maybe even a drink or two. You should try it sometime.
Bold of you to say. Let’s not forget I thought you were boring before yesterday.
Ouch. You said serious, not boring.
To-may-toe, to-mah-toe. And I believe that’s a point for me on the “not easily offended” challenge.
That’s a bit of a stretch. I wouldn’t say I was offended…
Arguing about it only helps my case.
I do have a question though and it really will help your case depending on your answer. What is going on with Tripp and Emma??
HA, we all want to know. They’re “just friends” apparently.
That just gave me an eye twitch.
Jensen’s voice pulls me from my phone. “So the teams are: Will and Callie, Dex and Lucie, Stella and Emma, Tripp and Adam…and lastly, your future winners, me and Beck.”
Shit, everyone’s here…I hadn’t even noticed. Getting up, I stand up behind Tripp as a chorus of booing starts.
Only a few of us are very competitive at game night, but accepting defeat before we even start isn’t exactly everyone’s style. What I find odd is that I’m pretty sure Jensen said I was with Tripp—he’s not with Emma? Picking up my phone, I go back to messaging Mia.
Tell me about it. Want to hear something interesting?
Of course I do. Especially if it’s gossip.
Starting to type out about the pairs for the evening, I don’t get it finished before Callie pops up next to me with her pool cue. “Hey, are you okay?”
Locking my phone, I hope and pray she didn’t see I was texting someone because that will start the whole thing back up again.
“Yeah, I’m good. I promise.”
Her lips fold in a thin line—her classic move to keep her from talking more. It’s a habit she’s always had. Half of our family photos are of her holding that tight-lipped smile.
“Callie, we can have an actual conversation about what you said in the car later. I hear you and I appreciate your concern. I promise I’m not going to let our parents rule my life, okay? They haven’t in a long time.”
She holds her lips together…I swear, biting down harder as she nods. “Sounds good. I’m gonna go win the pool tournament now.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
Waiting for her to get fully immersed in the game set-up, I move over to the island full of food, then check one more time to make sure she’s not watching me before pulling out my phone.
I’m on the edge of my seat here, Reyer.
Tonight is a pool tournament at Beck and Jensen’s and they’ve partnered Tripp with me instead of Emma.
“Did you just giggle at your phone?” Jensen asks, startling me.
“What? I don’t giggle.” Shit, I didn’t realize she was right next to me. I hadn’t even intended to laugh. Locking my phone again, I’m hoping Jensen won’t push more, she’s never really been the one to be nosy out of the group.
“You’re texting Mia?”
Crap. Maybe Beck’s rubbing off on her.
“We’re talking about the party,” I lie, shoving my phone back in my pocket. Why do I feel like I’ve just been caught red-handed? Why is it suddenly hot in here?
Jensen hums softly. “I thought Mia only kept her business talks to emails. My mistake.”
“Please keep this between us. We’re just texting, it’s no big deal.”
But it could be…possibly…
“Okay.” Jensen’s lips fold into a thin line and for a moment I worry she might call me on that bullshit. Finally she shrugs. “I saw nothing.”
“Thank you.”
Hell, I’ll give Callie and Will a bit of credit, clearly I’m not very good at hiding things either. Granted, it’s not that I feel the need to hide whatever this could be between Mia and me, but I think it’s better with this nosy-ass group to figure it out a bit first.
Listen, I know you’re a man, but I’m going to need you to snoop. I need to know what’s going on with them. They are so clearly into each other that I’m always tempted to spell it out for them anytime they come into Winedown.
I’ll tell you everything I learn tomorrow.
You keep surprising me.