Liar (Madison Kate #2)(86)

I tilted my head back, meeting his eyes with a sassy challenge in mine. "How about the sense of achievement you're currently riding like a high? Nothing quite like the pride of showing the haters you're the best, right, sunshine?"

He laughed, a quick, surprised sound like he hadn't even expected that response from me. Then the humor faded back to dark mischief, and his lips brushed mine in a ghost of a kiss. "Try again, Kate. I believe there was mention of dick sucking earlier? Work along that train of thought." He slapped my bare thigh, making me squeak, then winked and left me to take his seat in the passenger side of Steele's car.

I slid the rest of the way off the hood and made my way back to my seat with shaking legs, and when both Kody and Steele shot me curious, knowing glances, I dodged their eyes. I was all too aware I was playing a dangerous fucking game with Archer—with all of them—but I couldn't seem to stop myself. The rush of adrenaline I got from those brief encounters was too addictive.

Archer leaned over and turned the stereo on loud, and I breathed a sigh of relief that there wouldn't be any awkward conversation or tense silence the whole way to the after party. It was an official party, so it would be packed full of VIP ticket holders and any annual pass holders who were willing to travel to this corner of the country to attend. But I'd managed to get Bree and Dallas some passes, and I was looking forward to seeing them both.

When Steele parked in the jammed parking lot in front of the venue, I leapt out like my seat was on fire. I wasn't one to ever renege on a bet, but damn, I needed a few drinks in me first. And I needed to find my friends and reassure them that I was cool with them being... whatever the fuck they were. Friends with benefits, by the sound of things.

"Babe, wait up," Kody called out, hurrying to catch up with me and slinging his arm around my shoulders. "Everyone is riding the high of Arch's win, but please don't get complacent. Stick with one of us all night, okay?"

I glanced up at him as we walked, my heart warming that he was so constantly thinking of my safety, even while this was his celebration as much as Archer’s. "Hey," I said, stopping and grabbing his face in my hands. "Congrats on your win, Kodiak Jones. You're a kick-ass trainer, you know that?"

A smile spread across his face, and he dipped his lips to mine, kissing me in a way that warmed me right through, despite my lack of clothing. "Thanks, MK," he said when our kiss ended. "Maybe you'll let me start training you for real? Girls that fight are hot." I cocked a brow at him, and his eyes widened. "Uh, I mean... that..."

"Walk it off, dickhead," Steele told him with a snicker, whacking Kody around the head and tugging me out of his embrace. "Hey, isn't that the punk-ass QB for the Ghost’s?" He pointed across the parking lot to where two guys seemed to be locked in a heated argument.

"Uh," I wrinkled my nose, squinting. "Yeah, it is. And his dad, Professor Barker. I didn't know they were UFC fans." Then again, why would I know that? Bark hadn't spoken to me since our failed date that’d left him with a black eye, and all I knew about Professor Barker was that he was a bit of a sleaze.

I shivered, and Steele gave me a pointed look. "Let's get inside. I told you to bring a coat over that dress."

Smiling, I rolled my eyes. "I keep losing coats when we go out. Besides, it's only cold out here. I bet you fifty bucks it's sweaty as fuck inside."

"Probably," Steele agreed, wrapping his arms around me as we walked to share some body warmth. He'd offered me his hoodie earlier, but I'd declined on the basis of vanity. My short black dress was a killer, and if I really was going to make Archer my bitch tonight, I needed the aesthetic.

Bouncers at the door checked our passes before allowing us inside, and I spotted several uniformed police positioned around the room, watching the partying patrons with sharp eyes.

"Heavy security here," I commented, curious. "Are they expecting trouble?"

Kody laughed. "From a group of hardcore fight fans with alcohol involved?"

"Yeah, fair point." I nodded. Archer must have just come through the door behind me because the crowd started clapping and cheering, raising their glasses in congratulations. I didn't want to take away from Kody's moment of victory too, so I tugged on Steele's hand. "Come on, let's find Bree and Dallas while these two bask in all the glory."

We found my friends sitting at a high table near a little stage where a band was setting up their instruments. They were both holding drinks in disposable cups, and based on their tense body language, they were in the middle of an argument.

"Hey guys," I greeted them awkwardly, "I hope we're not interrupting anything. Lovers’ quarrel?" I couldn't help myself, and a teasing grin pulled at my lips.

Bree just scowled at me, but Dallas shot out of his seat with a panicked look on his face. "Katie, we can explain," he started to say even as I shook my head. "I've been trying to call you, but your number keeps ringing out. Are you avoiding me?"

I frowned in confusion and shot Steele a questioning look. He dodged my gaze, though, looking around the room like he was bored. "What? No, Dallas, I wasn't avoiding you," I assured my old friend. "I don't know what happened; I haven't been getting your calls. But I've been chatting with Bree every other day." I looked to my friend, and she just rolled her eyes. Whatever she and Dallas had been arguing about it had her in a hell of a mood.