Chapter 3 #2
I peer at Mira and Nessa, who are holding back smiles, wearing the same ridiculous neck contraption I am. “I know I said I didn’t want moderation tonight, but I’d like to be standing by the end of the evening.”
I glance around the room. Jaeger is silently laughing, and Tyler and Zach are leaning against the counter with their arms crossed, smiles playing on their faces. Lewis leans over and takes a sip of Gen’s margarita—right above her breasts. He winks, and she smacks him on the arm.
I take a long drag from my straw. “Okay, I like it. I mean, I look ridiculous, but come on, this thing is handy.”
Cali claps excitedly. “I knew you would be game! I got these babies online. Just let me know, and I’ll order you one.”
I hold up my hand. “No, no—I’m good.”
Cali pouts, and Jaeger puts his long, muscular arm around her shoulders. “Come on, babe. This is her first time. Let her get used to the gang before you ply her with drink paraphernalia.” He turns to me, shaking his head. “Still can’t believe we’re running into each other like this.”
I smile ruefully. “Small world.”
Cali crosses her arms. “Fine, I won’t order another one, but don’t be surprised if you get it for Christmas.”
I take another sip of the margarita dangling from my neck. “I’ve been forewarned, and I’m not afraid.”
If my job depression wasn’t occupying so much of my brain energy, I might feel slightly uncomfortable drinking a margarita out of neck gear and spending time with Jaeger Lang, who once betrayed me—as sweet as he may be now. I’ve come full circle, yet it doesn’t feel as bad as I thought it would.
A warm sensation settles over my belly and limbs as the alcohol works its magic.
I grab a handful of chips and dip them in the homemade salsa Mira brought, chatting as I eat and sip from my neck hanger.
Mira tries to reach her straw without using her hands.
She bumps it with her chin, and Nessa and I giggle as she chases the straw with her tongue.
This is exactly what I needed. Good food, good people, and a reason to be silly.
I shove another chip overloaded with salsa in my mouth, and a knock at the door rises above the chatter and low hum of music.
Jaeger strides to the front from the kitchen, where he’s been talking with the guys. He opens the door—to Adam standing on the other side.
What the hell?
First Jaeger, now Adam?
Jaeger and Adam were good friends in high school. Crap.
Adam steps inside and slaps Jaeger on the shoulder. “How’s it goin’?” Adam is tall, but even he had to reach up to slap Jaeger, who reaches nearly six and a half feet.
“Just getting started.” Jaeger shuts the door behind Adam, who is casual in dark denim and a black button-down, the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
I’ve never seen Adam in anything but a suit and tie, and he is so handsome my chest aches.
I’m in a room of good-looking men. This place is mancandy heaven between Jaeger, Lewis, Tyler, and Zach.
But for some reason, Adam knocks normal standards of attractiveness out the window.
As though he’s the new gold standard and no one else compares.
I hate that I like the way he looks. It’s superficial; it shouldn’t affect me, especially knowing what I know about him.
But despite beauty that has no bearing on what’s inside, I’m drawn to him.
My hands shake, my breath coming out choppy.
It annoys me to no end that I lose myself around this guy.
It’s worse in this moment than when we’re at work, where I feel a semblance of control.
Ironic, given how messed up my work environment is.
But when I’m working long hours using my mind to solve problems, there’s an order to things.
Ever since Adam stepped into Blue Casino, my foundation has shifted and I haven’t managed to get back my equilibrium.
Having him infiltrate my private life too? Unacceptable.
Adam enters the living room and our eyes connect. His forehead furrows—and then his gaze drops to the drink dangling from my neck.
Goddammit.
I pull my shoulders back, challenging him with my eyes to say anything about the neck gear—anything at all—and I will punch him between his perfectly masculine eyebrows.
His mouth quirks at the corner, but he follows Jaeger into the kitchen and takes the beer offered to him. Not a second later, his gaze returns to me, and I promptly ignore it.
Attempting to calm the heck down, I glare daggers at Mira and Nessa, who are wearing twin looks of guilt.
“Shit,” Mira mumbles. “I forgot he comes sometimes.”
“Sometimes?” I hiss.
“He’s friends with Jaeger,” Nessa explains.
But I already knew that. I didn’t think I’d be running into Jaeger, let alone Adam.
“Adam hasn’t been here in a while,” Nessa continues. “He started coming shortly after Cali and Jaeger hooked up a couple of years ago. Honestly, he’s only been here a handful of times, and it’s been months since his last visit. We had no idea he was coming tonight.”
Cali returns from refilling her drink. “What’s wrong? Why don’t you want Adam here?”
Awesome. She must have overheard.
I pound my margarita through the straw, scrunching my face as brainfreeze takes hold.
“Adam works at Blue now,” Mira says to Cali. “But I’m sure Jaeger said something about that. Anyway, Adam sort of works with us—and Hayden. And he is…”
“Hot?” Cali supplies, while taking a swig of her drink, her gaze lazily scanning Adam’s body.
I do not blame her one bit. Ogling should be perfectly legal where Adam is concerned.
Mira twists her mouth. “That, yes. But he’s also…”
Cali taps her chin and licks her lips, as if Adam is a piece of bacon she wants to take a bite out of. “Sexy in a preppy, athletic sort of way?” she suggests.
She is in love with Jaeger, right?
“Well, yes,” Mira says. “But Adam is—”
I ball my fists, my short nails digging into my palms. “Infuriating. Superior. Spoiled.” Mira, Nessa, and Cali look over, and I gulp back the rest of my margarita until the straw makes a loud vacuum sound.
“No offense. I know he’s your friend.” I hold my drink away from my chest. “Is there any more of this?”
“Yeah.” Nessa snaps out of her daze and hurries to the half-filled pitcher on the counter. I follow her, avoiding eye contact with Adam, but he doesn’t get the memo. He steps around Jaeger, right in my path.
“So, Hayden, nice cocktail yoke you got there.” His eyes are smiling, even if his mouth isn’t.
Cocktail yoke? He knows the technical term?
It’s funny. And that alone pisses me off. How dare he disarm me when I want to be armed and ready to fire back?
I finger the contraption. “It’s convenient.” I’m so pissed at this guy, and angry at my boss at work, but I’m wearing a cocktail yoke, and even I see the humor in the situation. I press my lips together to hide my thoughts, but the smile must leak through, because Adam smiles too.
I’ve seen Adam smirk, flirt, and swagger, but I have yet to witness a genuine smile. He devastated my equilibrium without it. With it, the effect hits much deeper.
I let out a slow breath and allow the grin to overtake my face, but only for a moment. “Don’t think this means we’re friends.”
The smirk returns. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, Hayden.”
I hate the way he says my name. Condescending and sexy at the same time.
I was just having fun with Mira and the others.
But I can’t return to Zach and Nessa’s if Adam is a part of the package.
There’s no way I want to be friends with him.
“Nessa and Mira invited me tonight. I didn’t realize you were a regular. ”
Adam runs his hand through his dark brown hair, longer at the top than on the sides. He glances at the others. “Zach’s a good guy. I started hanging out with him more these last couple of years. Now we work together at Blue…” He shrugs one shoulder. “What can I say? Tahoe is a small world.”
He’s mimicking my thoughts now? “Small world indeed.”
Adam lifts his eyebrow. “Are you agreeing with me? Because I wouldn’t mind you agreeing with me for once.” He grins, and thankfully, this one is all swagger.
I shake my head and gesture to Jaeger. “We used to know each other. Way back when.”
I always wondered if Adam recognized me when he first started at Blue. Based on his blank expression, that would be a no.
When will I learn? Guys like Adam don’t remember girls like me, let alone defend them.
His face goes still, his eyes delving a bit. He shoves a hand in his pocket and swirls the beer in his other hand. “Way back?”
I roll my eyes, appreciating the light buzz that’s allowing this conversation to take place with minimal discomfort. I returned to Lake Tahoe to confront my past; there’s no point in running from it now. My new friends should know about my past. And Adam should know his part…
“Jaeger was my boyfriend in high school—when I was a sophomore and accused of sleeping with a teacher. I’m the girl you told him to dump.”