Scored(62)

“Fine. I do like confirmation, but I’m being completely serious. I swear I want to hear the truth.”

“I think you’re letting your past control your future. Your fear of abandonment and of turning into your mother is going to push away the man who wants to hold you close and never leave you… and if you don’t stop it, you’re going to lose him.” Layton grabs my hand, squeezing it tight. “If Dallas leaves, you’ll regret it more than anything else you’ve ever given up on in your life.”

I think of a future without Dallas, one bereft of his larger-than-life personality, his thoughtful gifts, and romantic tries.

Without his hugs and kisses.

Without late-night talks and Saturday morning breakfasts in bed.

Without laughter and making love to him, which at times are twined together.

“I don’t want to keep him at a distance, but I don’t want to get hurt again. If he cheats, it will break me—I know it.” My mouth trembles and I’m on the verge of crying, something I never do. “I’m so close to being in love with him, Layton.”

Layton smiles softly. “I know, sugar.” She hugs me, providing comfort that makes me love her even more. “They’re not all bad, and we both know it. Dallas is already a good man… but when he’s with you, he becomes a great one.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, letting go of her.

Layton yawns, stretching. “I guess I should go to my own bed so we can get our beauty sleep.”

“Some of us more than others.”

“You’re such a bitch.” She smacks me with a pillow and hops down, bare feet thwacking against the tile.”

“Love you, mean it, byeeeee,” I say in a singsong voice.

“And I mean this from the bottom of my heart.” Layton flips me off and opens the door.

“I’m telling your momma on you.”

“She won’t believe you.”

“Fancy meeting you here,” Aiden says from the hallway. He has a girl on each arm and is dressed almost exactly like Dallas. Were they twinning tonight? I almost ask him if Dallas is far behind, but my pride keeps my mouth shut.

“Fancy meeting your future baby mommas in the middle of the night.” Layton does this silly curtsy and rolls her eyes. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Royal Pain In My Tail, I’m going to bed. Ladies.”

“Saw your man tonight, having his bachelor party at the same club I met Trista and Jean. Who knew Joe was such a traveler?”

I perk up, my heart racing for Layton. I will castrate Joe if he’s cheating on her.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “And?”

One of the ladies rubs against Aiden. “Why are we still out here?”

“Because the party can’t start until we’re in my room.”

The second lady runs her hand possessively over Aiden’s stomach—gag—and gives Layton a pleading look. “Can you hurry up? He wouldn’t let us touch him at all in the VIP room at the club or in the limo.”

“Soon as your ride for the night tells me what’s going on, he’s all yours.”

Aiden leans forward. “This is called a threesome. If you join in, it could be an orgy.”

Layton’s face pales and she clutches at her pearls, twisting them around two of her fingers. “Joe cheated…” she whimpers and stumbles back. I get up from bed, halfway there to comfort her, but Aiden pushes his dates away. He catches Layton by the shoulders, holding her protectively against him. His face is all soft and concerned looking.

Layton shoves him away. “Don’t touch me.”

I rub my eyes. I have to be seeing things. When I focus on them again, Aiden’s usual smarmy smirk is back in place.

Stopping shy of them, I sneak a peek down the hall to see if Dallas is lurking nearby. My heart drops when I discover he’s not anywhere around that I can see.

“You guys go on,” he orders. “Third door on the left.”

“We’re going to do you so good, baby,” one of them squeals, but from my vantage point and the look on Aiden’s face, he’s already dismissed them.

“He’s not cheating on you, Layton.”

“He’s not?” Layton’s smile is wobbly. “I mean, duh, of course he’s not. Thanks for telling me what I already knew.”

“Don’t fool yourself, baby girl. Every man is a potential cheater.”

“Is that from personal experience?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Don’t need to cheat when I get all the pussy I want.” He pins his dark blue eyes on me. “I didn’t cheat on your sister.”

“That’s so charming, and thanks for clarifying the reasons your relationship with Finley ended badly.” Layton blows out a breath. “I’m going to bed.”

“Mine or yours?” Aiden asks, and I grab Layton’s shirt before she can punch him.

“Go on. You wouldn’t want to keep your guests waiting,” I urge while Layton fumes.

As soon as he rounds the corner, I let go. “Feeling better?”

She shrugs helplessly. “Yes and no.”

“Because I wouldn’t let you hit Aiden?”

“I’ll terrorize him on the plane ride home. Honestly, I’m more upset with Joe. He told me the bachelor party was going to be back home, at his cousin’s house. Not here. There hasn’t been a single picture or video posted about tonight on any of his stuff, which leads me to believe he’s either hiding it from me, or he didn’t know what his groomsmen had planned and is worried I’ll think the worst when I find out.”