27. Payton
CHAPTER 27
Payton
TWO MONTHS
“ I can’t believe you’re here,” I say for the fifth time in the past hour.
I grin at my best friend, it’s been too damn long since we’ve seen each other. My fault, not hers. I was so consumed with grief that I couldn’t face anyone for days until I flew across the country to Seattle. And only now am I slowly able to claw back from the heartache that shattered my life.
She rolls her eyes at me, “Where else would I have been? You said girl’s night. I’d have killed you if you had it without me.”
I laugh, God, I really have missed her. My eyes mist as I think about just how much I’ve been a shitty friend.
“NO!” she yells. “Don’t you dare start crying. Silas will kill me.” Her eyes darting around the house as though she expects him to jump out at any moment.
I laugh, “Don’t worry he’s not here. Tonight is girls only. The other ladies are coming over, and we’re all getting ready here.”
Her eyes widen, “Who’s all?”
I shrug, “I’m not entirely sure. I know that Ali is coming, as is her best friend Carey, and Sarah, but other than that, I’m not really sure.” I don’t really mind, it’ll be nice to meet some of the other women.
“Okay, so who’s Ali, Carey, and Sarah?” She sits down on the sofa, her black hair tied up in a topknot.
“Ali is Kelvin’s wife, she’s been so lovely to me.” Bianca smiles, and I know that she’ll love Ali for that alone. “Carey is her best friend, and she’s Jack’s sister.”
A furrow comes between her brows, “Jack as in Jack Cassly?”
I smile, “The very one, also he’s married to Sarah, who is Ryker’s sister.” I remind her, we’ve met Sarah a few times. She’s sweet, and I’ve recently found out that she’s a nurse that works at the children’s hospital.
Her lips thin, “Please tell me that Tate isn’t going to be anywhere near this girls night.”
“What happened?” She’s never been this way about a man before. Tate may be an asshole, but he’s gotten under her skin, and I’m not sure if it’s a good thing.
“He told me that he doesn’t think I’m fat.” She rolls her eyes, but I can see the hurt in them. “But he says stupid shit like, oh you eating a burger, should you be eating that?”
My mouth opens in shock, why the hell would he say that?
She sighs, “We were talking about the next Tiger shoot that we’ll be doing.” I nod. It’s in a month, and I’m looking forward to it, I haven’t had any shoots in a while. “I showed him what I was going to be wearing, and he asked if I was going to be able to fit into it.”
I’m going to kill him.
“He won’t be here,” I vow, and if he turns up, he’ll have to get through me. No one makes my friend feel like shit, and Tate has done it more than enough. “Don’t answer his texts anymore. When did you see him?”
She bites her lip, “He came to see me in New York.”
Wow, I have missed a lot.
“Nothing happened, we just talked until he was an ass. I need a drink,” she says as she gets to her feet. “I’m making purple rains.”
I follow her to the kitchen just as the doorbell rings. “That’ll be the girls.”
Opening the door, I’m stunned to see Yasmin and Sarah standing there with smiles on their faces. “Surprise.” Yas grins.
“Get in here!” I practically yell, it’s been almost a year since I’ve seen her. “Please tell me that you’re here for girl’s night?”
She nods, “Of course.” She walks into my house, her eyes taking everything in.
I pull Tanya in behind her and hug her, knowing that Yas has boundaries. “How are you Tanya?” I ask as I shut the door behind her.
“I’m good. God, I’m so glad that you and Silas worked things out. Are you happy?”
I nod. “Yeah, it’s about time,” I say with sigh, Silas and I have had a rocky road to say the least.
Yas grins, “I’m happy for you.” She winks at me, “Imagine my surprise when the girl’s tell me that we’re going out and that you’ll be here.”
“Don’t forget about me,” Bianca says from behind Yas.
Yas spins on her heel and grins even wider, “I should have known. You two were always inseparable.”
We laugh. “Drinks?” Bianca asks.
Yas glances at our drinks with a disgusted look on her face. “I’ll get them. The others should be here soon.”
Tanya shakes her head as she watches as Bianca and Yas talk about alcoholic drinks. “I’m really sorry about the baby,” Tanya murmurs. “Jack told me, I was worried about you,” she says softly as she reaches for my hand.
“Thank you. I’m doing better,” I assure her, and I am. After having my break down and flying here to Seattle, I’ve slowly but surely started to heal. I’m not one hundred percent, but I’m better. Some days, I think about her, and the pain hits me like a freight train, but those days are few and far between.
True to Yas’s word, the others come soon after. Kelvin drops Ali and Cary off, Taylor swings by with Nic, Ursula, and Rachel, then Martin Jacobs brings Poppy, Jessa, and Lisa.
The girls that fill my house are sweet, and I love them already. Not only do I, but so does Bianca. It’s good that there’s people like us, normal and down to earth in this world. The introductions are made, and it’s hard to keep track of who’s who, but I manage it.
Carey’s is married to the hottie that is Archer Joyce, Carey is gorgeous, she’s smart, feisty and funny as hell and is Jack’s sister. Nic is married to Taylor, who’s Jack’s brother. Nic owns a cupcake store, one that has the best cupcakes on the damn planet. If I could, I’d eat the entire store out in a matter of hours, but I’m trying to stay in shape.
Rachel is a book blogger, I’ve yet to see her recommendations as it’s been a while since I’ve read a book, and if I were to look at her to be read list, I’m pretty sure I’d have an anxiety attack. Stacy’s also married to a Cassly brother. The eldest one, Phillip, Rachel’s cousin is Ursula, who is married to another Cassly brother, Harrison.
Poppy is a popstar, probably just as famous, if not more so than Ryker Hedley’s, and he’s the biggest damn rock star on the earth. She’s gorgeous, and her smile lights up the entire room, she’s married to her head of security Martin Jacobs. What the girls have told me is that he used to be an officer with Seattle PD, before he met Poppy and fell head over heels in love with her. I’m not surprised, it’s easy to see why the man fell hard.
Jessa is married to Martin’s brother Lance, Jessa’s a veterinarian and Jessa’s the chief of surgery along with one of the best Cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. They’re one big happy family and have included Bianca and I into their plans for this evening.
The drinks are flowing as we get ready. “I never thought I’d say this, but I think Bianca has better tits than Ursula,” Carey blurts out, and I bite my lip so the laughter doesn’t spill out.
“What?” Bianca asks with wide eyes.
Ali, Tanya, and Stacy glance between the two sets of breasts as though they’re thinking it through.
Brynna doesn’t seem to be surprised that there’s talk of her breasts, nor that we’re all staring at them. “I agree,” she says with a firm nod. “Bianca has probably the nicest rack I’ve ever seen.”
Ali sighs, “God, you’re so lucky.”
Bianca relaxes and lets out a little laugh, “You’re welcome to have mine anytime you like. I’m sick to death of people telling me I’m fat because I have big boobs and wide hips.”
Once again, I want to kill Tate. He’s really hurt my best friend.
“Whose ass am I kicking?” Yas demands to know, but Bee just shrugs and goes into the kitchen.
All eyes come to me, and I sigh, “Tate Hemmington. Bee really likes him, but he’s made some comments that have really hurt.”
Carey’ eyes harden, “What comments?”
“The first time he said that he thought models were meant to be thin.”
All the women have the same look on their faces, their eyes filled with fire, and their lips thinned. They look how I feel. Tate’s a lucky man he’s not here.
“Then he went to New York and said a few other things, they’ve stuck with her, and I hate him for hurting her.” The anger in my voice seems to spur them on.
“I’m going to kick his ass,” Carey growls.
Tanya shakes her head. “I’m telling Jack, maybe he can get a few guys to hit him during practice.”
I smirk, these ladies are blood thirsty, I love it.
“I’m fine, I’ve learned to deal with this my entire life,” Bianca says, coming back into the sitting room. “Are we getting dressed?”
I let her change the subject, knowing she hates the attention to be firmly on her, same as me.
“I have the perfect dress for you, Lia,” I tell her, as she’s the only one that’s close to my size.
Bee smiles and claps her hands. “I bought loads of dresses with me, Brynna. I have something that would fit you.”
Both Brynna’s and Lia’s eyes light up. Lia’s a fantastic make up blogger, she’s famous in her own right and kills it with every video she posts. Bianca and I follow her, and we take every tip she posts.
Carey pouts. “I need to find a gorgeous super model that’s my size. Then I get free dresses,” she grumbles.
I glance at Bianca, and we both share a secret smile, tomorrow we’re going shopping. These women don’t know it, but they’ve made us feel part of their group within the space of a few hours. That means the world to us, and we’re going to repay them kindly. Tonight, we’re on a mission to find out the girl's sizes. We’ll have outfits delivered to their doors sometime tomorrow.
Two hours and four drinks later, we stumble into cabs and go to the bar. I’d have loved to have stayed at home, but the girls wanted to go to the bar. I’m not complaining, I’m having a lot of fun.
Tonight has been one of the best nights I have ever had. I’ve been able to let loose and have fun without thinking about anything. The women have been by our side all night, either dancing or talking with us and Bianca and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s good to see my best friend let her hair down, so to speak, and enjoy herself.
“I want some apagasms,” Carey sighs as we sit down at the table.
The girls laugh, no doubt knowing what she’s talking about.
“Apa-what?” Bianca asks, and I giggle. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this drunk before.
“Apagasms,” Ali stage whispers. “Archer has an apadravya,” she laughs when she takes in our shocked faces.
“He has his dick pierced,” Carey tells us.
“Carey…” a deep voice says, coming to stand behind her, and I swear my body shivers.
Carey smirks, “Archer…”
“What have I told you?”
“Arch…” Carey begins, “it’s girls night.”
“Sorry, babe, but girl’s night is over,” Archer tells her with a lazy grin.
“Oh, it’s orgasm time,” Tanya sighs, and the girls giggle.
“Yep, girl’s night is officially over,” Harrison says as he strides toward us. “As soon as they mention orgasms, it’s time to call it a night.”
There’s movement behind Harrison, and it catches my attention. “Who’s having orgasms?” Silas asks, and my heart skips a beat. Damn, why is he so fucking hot?
“You, later,” I tell him, and Bianca giggles beside me as Silas blinks slowly before walking toward me. He lifts me off the stool and onto my feet. His mouth descends on mine, and as always, I’m lost in his kiss.
“Baby, you can guaran-fucking-tee there’ll be orgasms later.”
“Damn,” I hear being whispered.
I pull back from Silas, heat creeping up my face as I realize we’re not alone. How does he always manage to make me forget everything but him.
“Bee…”
My body tenses at Tate’s words. “Who the hell invited you?” I demand, seeing the asshole standing beside my best friend.
“Pay?” Silas questions, his hand tightening around my hip.
“I warned you the last time I saw you after you called her fat. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Tate’s face tightens as his eyes flash with anger. “I didn’t call her fat, she’s not fucking fat.”
“So why the hell do you keep implying she is?” Carey growls.
Tate takes a step back, obviously realizing that all the women are about to gang up on him. “I don’t.”
“So when she eats a burger, you don’t ask if she should be?” I say as I take a step away from Silas.
“I didn’t mean…”
I cut him off… “Or ask her if she’s going to fit into her clothes?”
The girls gasp at my words, I never did tell them what else he said.
He runs his hands down his face. “I never meant it in a bad way.”
Bianca gets to her feet and kisses my cheek. “I’ll call you in the morning,” she promises me before saying goodbye to the rest of the girls and leaving the club without Tate.
We all say our goodbyes and leave the club, Tate follows behind us, and once everyone has left, I whirl around and face him. “Stay the hell away from her!” I demand. “You’ve hurt her enough.”
Silas stays quiet, and I’m grateful, I know that Tate’s his friend, but he should really think before he speaks.
“I’ll make it up to her, I really like her,” he tells me as he turns away and starts to walk toward his car.
“You have a funny way of showing it.” I call after him, and his steps falter, “She likes you, don’t hurt her again.” I’m giving him one last chance, because it’s true, Bianca really does like him.
He throws a grin at me over his shoulder. “I won’t.” It’s a vow and one I hope he keeps.
“Come on, baby, I want those orgasms you promised me,” Silas says with a sexy grin as he pulls me toward the car.
I rub my thighs together, “I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it home without one.”
His eyes darken with lust. “Fuck,” he groans, and I can’t help but smile.