Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
CALLUM/CASH
Now
Golden Tables & Fractured Odds
The game changes before anyone realizes we’re already playing.
Ishove my foot into my high-top Chucks. “Livianna, are you ready?”
“Almost.”
“The plane leaves Burbank in two hours.” I put my wallet in the back pocket of my favorite jeans and search for my phone. “Where the fuck did I put it?”
“Put what?” Livianna comes into view as she floats down the stairs. She’s wearing a white sleeveless leather dress with fringe at the bottom.
“My phone, and you look beautiful.” I stalk toward her. “We should just stay here.”
We meet when she hits the main level.
“But then we wouldn’t have a bachelor and bachelorette party to tell our kids about.”
“Let’s try to make a baby now.” I take her into my arms, and our mouths collide.
She pulls away, breathless. “What time are we supposed to pick up our friends?”
“We’re meeting everyone at the airport.” I take the zipper on the front of her dress and start to unzip it. I get it lowered to her breast before she bats my hand away.
“Callum, I spent an entire day picking out this dress. You’re not to take it off of me until I say so.” She runs her palms down my bare arms. “You cut the sleeves off your favorite band shirt. And you have on your signature black jeans, but you’re sexy, so I’ll let it slide.”
“Slide? I look good.”
“Yes, you do, but I’m a designer and have a whole men’s catalog that caters to rockstars. You should know that.”
I consider that for a moment. “You know, I made a conscious decision a long time ago to never wear your designs.”
“Why would you do that?” She glares and pops her palms to her hips.
“Hold up. Let me explain.” I take her hands. “When you sent clothes to Guns, he said we could all wear them, but I didn’t wanna taint your work with my shitty attitude. I was afraid my bad luck would come back on you somehow.”
“Oh, Callum.” She softens, and her eyes fill with understanding. “You don’t have to be that way anymore. I want you to show off my designs.”
“Next time. Right now, we need to find my phone.”
“Where did you have it last?”
“I was zoning out for a bit on the couch.” I stride to it and start feeling around for it. It turns up wedged between the couch cushions. I drag it free and slip it into my front pocket. “Found it.”
“Great.” She throws her purse over her shoulder.
I grab our carry-on luggage from beside the front door and gesture toward it. “We need to blaze.”
She sways ahead of me, that white fringe catching the afternoon light as she teases me, and I give myself exactly two seconds before I follow.
“Fucking hell, vixen. You make it hard to wanna leave.”
The drive to Burbank is short enough that I spend most of it with my hand on her knee, the radio low, and the city peeling away in my peripheral vision. She spends most of it texting Quinn, her phone angled just far enough that I don’t get a preview.
“You’re not giving me anything?” I glance at her at a red light.
She tucks the phone into her bag with a smile that’s equal parts guilty and delighted. “Not a single detail.”
“Cruel woman.” The light turns, and I face the road again. “Hey, I could use that in a song.”
She tips her head back and laughs. That sound should come with a warning label. She’s up to something.
Bren spots us the second we clear the automatic doors to the luxury lounge where we’re waiting for our private jet. His grin is already at full power, suitcase rolling behind him, and sunglasses pushed up on his head like he’s been booked on this trip since the moment it hit the calendar.
“About time, bro.” He opens his arms.
“We’re fifteen minutes early, Guns.” I strut into the embrace anyway, and we do the back-slap thing that never changes, no matter how old we get.
Quinn materializes at Livianna’s side before I’ve even untangled from Bren. She takes Livianna by both hands and holds her out at arm’s length.
Quinn scans over Livianna. “You look absolutely incredible.”
“Quinn, you’re such a great friend.” Livianna pulls her in, and they hold on longer than a quick hello. “I love that dress on you.”
“Thanks.” She breaks away. “I have this good friend of mine who happens to be the best designer around these days. She gave it to me.”
“She sounds like the best.” Livianna giggles.
Ella’s right behind her with a travel tumbler in one hand.
She lifts it. “I made mimosas for the plane. TSA is not invited to this conversation.”
“Ella.” Livianna presses her hand to her chest. “We’re on a private flight. They’ll have plenty of drinks for us once we board.”
She waves me off. “Not the good kind like I’ve made.”
Hawke shows up next. He already has that wild expression, the one that says he has exactly zero intention of behaving this weekend and has made his peace with it. He might be quiet and stay out of trouble, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to have a good time.
“This weekend is going to be legendary.” He claps both palms on my shoulders.
“Don’t lead me into trouble, mate.” I shift to give us more room.
He smirks wide enough to confirm he’s already planning to let me do exactly that. “That is the opposite of my job this weekend.”
Cooper hangs back a step behind Hawke, one foot propped on his carry-on, arms crossed with that easy rebel energy he carries everywhere. He tips his chin at me as I close the distance.
“Everyone accounted for?” He flicks his lip ring with his tongue.
“All of us.” I slide my arm around his neck and pull him in. “Time to fly.”
The whole group moves, rolling bags, checking phones, and Quinn’s already directing Ella toward the front of us. Livianna finds me in the shuffle. She threads her fingers through mine, still chatting to Quinn.
Livianna tightens her grip. “Who’s ready for the most amazing bachelor and bachelorette parties?”
Everyone hoots and hollers. We’re making a scene and I don’t give a fuck. We board the plane and get ready to start the weekend.
The jet lifts off the runway, and the girls immediately build their wall by lowering their voices and turning their backs to us so no guy on this flight gets through.
Bren drops into the seat across from me. “How does it feel knowing she planned the entire weekend and still won’t tell you a single detail?”
“Doesn’t bother me.” I stretch my legs out and cross my feet at the ankles. “I trust her.”
“Big mistake.” He shakes his head slowly. “You know better than that. She’s gonna do something mischievous. She has an air about her tonight.”
Hawke folds himself into the seat beside Bren, nodding toward the girls. “I’m going on record. Whatever they’ve got lined up, none of us are ready for it.”
“Make it a hundred, and you’re on.” I tap the armrest.
He peeks over at the women. “I’m not betting against Livianna.”
Cooper climbs over me and sits in the seat near the window. “Smart.”
Across the aisle, Livianna peeks over at me. The twinkle in her eyes screams, “Get ready for it.” The girls group together the second I try to figure out what they’re up to, laughing at everything they won’t share.
“Vixen.” I mouth the words across the aisle. “You’re in trouble.”
She winks and huddles up again.
Yeah, that’s my clue. Whatever she has planned is gonna rock this party, and I’m here for it.
“Damn, Livianna. This place is nice.” I scan the vast room. “And there are enough rooms for everyone?”
“Yep, but we get the big one.” She places her purse down.
The penthouse has floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, with a terrace that wraps around the building. The city runs in every direction below, and the suite has enough square footage that people scatter the second they come through the door, everyone claiming a corner.
Livianna stands in the center of the room with her arms wide, the fringe spinning as she turns.
She raises both hands. “Welcome to Callum and Livianna’s bachelor and bachelorette parties!”
“This night is gonna be real Mayhem.” Bren slides up beside me and takes it all in. “I take back every complaint I had on the plane. She planned a good one.”
“She always does.” I clap him on the back. “That’s one of the many reasons why I’m marrying her.”
A knock at the suite door pulls the room quiet. Livianna’s eyes widen, and she bounces up and down, clapping.
“Everyone, take a seat. I have a special appetizer for you all.” She runs to the door, squealing.
She glances back at us as we all find our respective chairs. “Good. You’re all ready now.”
She winks at me again. “Remember how much I love you, Callum.”
“Love you too, Lily.”
She opens the door. Four women in sequined outfits and heels stand in the hallway, the speaker already cued.
Quinn places both hands over her face, and Ella grabs her by the arm. They both laugh as if they think we’re gonna be embarrassed. Not gonna happen.
“Ladies first.” Livianna waves them in with a sweep of her hand.
The music hits, and the suite comes alive. Quinn and Ella are already in the middle of it. The rest of us exchange a glance.
Bren puts a hand on my shoulder. “My sister is absolutely unhinged.”
“Yes, she is. Best quality she has.” I tip my chin toward her across the room. I tense as one of the stripper women climbs onto my lap. “Livianna…”
A second knock rattles the door. Livianna’s already halfway to it before anyone else registers the sound.
She pulls it open again. “Hi there, sexy men.”
Four guys this time, built like brick houses, in bow ties, and wearing considerably less than the occasion would typically call for.
Quinn freezes mid-laugh. Ella covers her mouth with her palms.
Quinn spins toward Livianna. “You didn’t!”
“Equal opportunity entertainment, ladies. It’s my gift to you both for being such good friends.” Livianna motions to the center of the room, and the guys dance their way to Ella and Quinn.
“Ah, fuck, bro.” Bren leans into me. “Tell me I’m not seeing that.”
“You’re seeing it.” I push him off, making room for Livianna. “Like Livianna said, welcome to my bachelor party.”
Livianna slides up beside me. “Surprised?”