9. Ryan
CHAPTER NINE
Ryan
“He suggested what?” Parker exclaims, drying his hair with a towel, dressed only in his boxers.
A clean pair of workout shorts hangs off my hips as I dig through my locker for a shirt. We just finished another grueling padel session, but at least we’ve won this time.
“He’s taking us all on vacation. A fancy resort in the Bahamas. As a family.” I slip the t-shirt over my head, my nose scrunching at the word.
Other than the fact that six grown-ass adults can hardly become anything resembling a family within a week, the word disgusts me when used to describe Paige. I’m attracted to her, for fuck’s sake. She’s not my family.
“I don’t get it,” Wes says. “Why would you go?” He puts his glasses back onto his face before zipping his backpack.
I let out a long sigh, dropping onto the bench to slip on my shoes. “I wasn’t going to at first. It’s an insane idea. I don’t trust Roger’s daughters to be nice to Mom, though. I can’t leave her alone with no one to fend for her.”
Wes nods seriously, like he knows exactly what I mean.
My initial reaction when Mom suggested it was less than thrilled.
Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure my first question was if Roger was having a stroke.
She shot me a glare, and I lifted both of my arms in the air.
She then explained how the opinion of his daughters is very important to Roger, and to her.
The last thing she’d want was to get in between them, and she thinks that if they get to know her, their opinions would change.
I’d love to be as optimistic as her. After all, who wouldn’t love my mother? Then I remembered the snide comment Paige had made about her being a gold-digger, and the hair on the back of my neck rose.
“I’ll go,” was out of my mouth before I could stop it. She beamed with joy, making me feel better about my inevitably stupid decision.
Wes’ words snap me out of my thoughts. “What about your job? You just started working.”
“I’m still a casual driver. I pick and choose my own shifts.” I wanted to start slow before jumping into full-time. To see how my headaches would fare.
“To be honest, man, it’s hard to pity you for this. I know it’s awkward, but it’s basically an all-expenses paid vacation with three hot stepsisters.” Parker shrugs, lifting his gym bag onto his shoulder.
“I never said they were hot. And two of them are married. To each other.” I don’t know why I’m explaining this. With Parker, it’s best for his thoughts to run their course.
“Maybe they’re bi,” he offers, like that is the most important thing about this whole crazy idea.
“And poly,” Wes adds with a chuckle, and I roll my eyes.
“Even if they’re not, you still have the third one,” Parker states.
“Paige,” I mutter before I can stop it. He glances at me with interest for a moment. It was stupid, but he shouldn’t refer to her as ‘the third one’.
A sigh of relief escapes me as Parker looks away and continues talking, “It’s also a sure-fire way to break off the wedding.”
“What is?” Wes, the sweet, innocent one, asks.
“Sleeping with the daughter, of course.”
I roll my eyes, unwilling to admit the fact that sleeping with her was a thought in my mind way before I knew she was Roger’s daughter.
Wes walks toward the exit, and Parker slaps the door of his locker. Instead of heading toward the coffee shop, Parker gestures his head toward the parking lot. “Can’t stay for coffee today. Have to pick up Chrissy. But I have those books ready for you.”
Wes and I share a look.
I didn’t actually think we were moving forward with the book club idea, but I should’ve known better. It’s Parker we’re talking about. He opens his passenger door, grabs something from inside and launches a copy at each of us. My arm reaches out to catch it before it smacks the ground.
“We’ll meet in two weeks, right after Ryan comes back from his trip to discuss.
” The peach-colored cover with cartoon-like characters isn’t what I expected.
By what he shared about the content, I expected something more…
sexy. As if reading my mind, Parker calls out.
“Don’t let the cover fool you. This is not a book to read in public.
Not until you get some practice, at least.”
With that, he closes the door to his car and takes off. I shake my head, hoping to vent about it to Wes, but his nose is already in the book. I shake my head again, huffing out a laugh.
If I were a betting man, I’d bet he’ll finish the book by the end of the day. I, on the other hand, haven’t read for fun in a long time. I’m not even sure if this counts as reading for fun since technically it’s homework. Still, it might be good to pass the flight time.
Fuck, I’m actually spending a week on a vacation with my mother and her fiancé.
And the girl I delivered all those dildos to.
I refrained from sharing that minor detail with the guys, knowing Parker would be all over it.
It would also suck for me to air her dirty laundry, though by her actions during that dinner, she very well might deserve it.