The Rules of Dating(41)

“This is Billie. She owns the tattoo shop downstairs. She’s joining us tonight.” I placed my hand at the small of her back. “Billie, this is Brayden—amigo number three, the one I believe you haven’t met yet.”

“Nice to meet you, Brayden.” She held out her hand.

He took it and flashed a shit-eating grin. “Likewise.”

The smell of cigar hit me as we entered the apartment. Smoke billowed in the air, and the table was all set up with cards and poker chips. I didn’t love cigars like the other guys did, but I always had one anyway if they were all smoking around me.

I spoke into Billie’s ear. “Welcome to our quarterly poker night. Tonight you’re one of the guys. Undatelike enough for you?”

She nodded. “I love poker. This is the perfect undate.”

“You play?”

“I have played, yeah.” She jabbed me in the chest with her index finger. “You scared now?”

“Excited is more like it.” I turned to Owen. “Owen, you know Billie…”

He nodded. “Good to see you.”

I noticed his eyes briefly drop to her chest. That made me want to strangle him, though I couldn’t blame him for sneaking a peek. Billie had once again decided to torment me with a corset, this time the infamous royal blue one Holden had snapped photos of when she was out with that guy. She was definitely trying to kill me, and now she was making me want to kill my friend.

In typical Owen fashion, he was still dressed in his work clothes, a crisp, collared shirt rolled up at the sleeves and black dress pants—even on Saturday. We rotated hosting the poker night, and usually Owen was the last one to show up, even if it was at his apartment, since he’s constantly working late. I was surprised to see him on time tonight. If you looked up workaholic in the dictionary, I was pretty sure you’d see a picture of Owen.

Billie took a seat next to Brayden, and I sat next to Owen across from them. She helped herself to a cigar, and Brayden reached out with a match to light it.

“We have a cigar girl in the house. I like her already,” he said.

“Thank you, sir,” she said before taking the first puff. I could definitely get used to watching her beautiful mouth wrapped around that. I took one of the cigars and lit it.

Holden emerged from the kitchen, carrying three boxes of pizza. He nodded toward Billie. “How’s it going, my friend?”

“Good, and you?” She blew out some smoke. “Long time no see. Spy on anyone interesting lately?”

“You still mad at me about that?” He laughed. “You know I love you. I was only looking out for my boy. I figured he’d be interested in knowing what you were up to, having dinner with that gigantic dude. I didn’t mean any harm.”

Did he have to point out how gigantic the dude was?

“No harm taken,” she said.

“Who was that guy anyway?” he asked.

My pulse raced as the memory of that night came flooding back. My jaw tensed around the cigar, my teeth digging into it a little too much. Still jealous as fuck, apparently.

“Eddie is a client. It was just a dinner. Not a date.”

Brayden looked between Billie and me. “Wait…back up. She was out with another guy and Holden did what?”

Billie blew out some smoke. “I thought Colby was somewhere in the bar stalking me at first. But it was Holden.”

“I was at the bar that night and texted Colby a play-by-play,” Holden explained. “Got him pretty worked up. And he made an ass of himself by texting her.”

I shrugged. “I did. Because I like her. Had no right to be jealous though, since she and I aren’t dating. Have I mentioned this is an undate?” I smiled over at her.

Owen narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m confused.”

“You’re not the only one,” Billie cracked. “Even we’re confused about what’s going on with us.”

Owen began dealing the cards. “Colby hasn’t brought a girl around in ages. So say what you want. I’m a little suspicious of this undate thing.”

Brayden turned to Owen. “At least Colby is undating. You’re working yourself into the ground. Holden is whoring around—”

“And what are you doing?” Holden snapped.

“Me?” Brayden leaned back in his seat. “I’m just chillin’.”

Holden rolled his eyes. The funny thing was, the guys were holding back in front of Billie. Usually, it was expletive after expletive by now. All in good fun, but they were definitely keeping things PG on account of our guest.

“So, what has Colby told you about us?” Brayden asked her. “I’m shocked he had the guts to bring you here, considering we like to bust balls.”

“Actually, Holden has told me more about you guys than Colby has. He’s very talkative during our tattoo appointments.” She winked. “I know Owen is a workaholic. I know you, Brayden, are sort of a mediator among the group, never allowing anyone to stay mad at each other for too long. Holden… Well, Holden is a little wild and crazy, from my observations. And I know from Colby that you’re all very good uncles to Saylor.”

“Pretty accurate assessment.” Brayden smiled.

“You know about Ryan?” Owen asked.