Burn (Breathless #3)(78)

“I hope you understand,” Bethany said. “I mean that it didn’t mean anything to Ash. Oh God, this is even more awkward than things were the first time Jace and I saw Ash together after that night.”

Josie reached over to squeeze Bethany’s hand. “Please don’t. It’s okay, really. I admit, when Ash first told me what happened, I dreaded meeting you. I wasn’t crazy about having to spend time with a woman who’d had sex with Ash. I hated the idea of picturing the two of you together. But after meeting you it was okay. And I think in a lot of ways, seeing how Jace was with you helped cement for me that there was nothing between you and Ash except deep friendship.”

“I’m glad,” Bethany said sincerely. “I love Ash. I really do. But as a friend. I adore Jace beyond all reason.”

“I suppose I’ve ruined any chance of us getting the dirt on you and Ash now, Josie,” Mia said glumly.

Josie laughed. “Well, no, not if you give me return dirt. I’m dying of curiosity over your men too. Like for instance, is that a collar you wear, Bethany? Or is it just a necklace?”

Bethany’s cheeks went pink as she fingered the diamond that rested in the hollow of her throat. “It’s a collar,” she said softly. “Jace wanted me to wear it. I never take it off.”

“Is yours a collar too, Josie?” Mia asked.

Josie nodded.

“Well damn,” Mia muttered. “I want one too. I think they’re so cool. I’d love for Gabe to pick one out and put it on me. But he’s not into collars. And to be honest, I never was until I saw Bethany’s. The meaning behind it is pretty awesome.”

Both Bethany and Josie nodded.

Josie downed the last of her drink and set it on the table in front of the couch. She had a pretty good buzz going, but she wasn’t even close to being plastered. She slipped her heels off her aching feet and stretched her toes, nearly sighing in contentment.

“Oh look, there’s Jace,” Mia said.

She’d gotten up and walked to the glassed-in area of the box to look down on the floor.

She turned back to Bethany. “He’s here early isn’t he? Or have we not been drinking enough?”

“I don’t think we’ve been drinking as much,” Bethany said ruefully.

“Well damn. We have to fix this. And the only way I know to get shitfaced in a very short time is to do shots!”

“Oh hell,” Josie said. “I’ve never even had a shot of anything.”

“You’ll be okay,” Mia said. “After the first one, you don’t really taste them anymore.”

Just then the door burst open and the rest of the women came in noisily. The waitress was with them, and handed out drinks and then listened as Mia gave her the next series of orders.

“Shots?” Caroline asked. “Since when do we do shots?”

“Since we’re not nearly drunk enough,” Mia said dryly. “Jace is already here, which means we don’t have much longer. We have to catch up!”

“Bring the bottle,” Chessy called to the waitress. “Better make it two! We have a lot of women here tonight.”

The waitress grinned. “You got it.”

Everyone piled onto the couches and chairs, shoes going this way and that. A few moments later, the waitress returned and began lining up shot glasses on the table.

“Everyone got one?” Trish yelled.

After a chorus of yesses, Gina held up her shot glass in a toast. Everyone raised theirs and then amid shouts of “Go, go go!” they downed the first shot.

Fire blazed down Josie’s throat. She coughed and sputtered so much her eyes watered. She could feel it in her belly. Hell, she could even feel it travel to her bladder. It was sitting in her bladder, hot and swirling. Already she needed to go pee.

“Let’s do the next!” Trish encouraged.

They picked up the next shot glasses, held them up as they did the last ones and then tossed the contents back.

A low chuckle sounded from the door. Everyone jerked around to see Jace standing there with Brandon. Both men looked amused. Jace was outright laughing. Then Jace stepped aside and Brittany appeared in the doorway, her face pink, her eyes shining brightly.

Behind her, stood Kai Wellington. He had hold of her elbow, but he let it go when she started forward.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said breathlessly. “Did you save any for me?”

Gina tossed a shot glass in Brittany’s direction. Brittany caught it and then set it down so Mia could pour a shot from the bottle of tequila the waitress had brought. They were insane. All of them. Josie included. She had to be nuts to be doing this. She was going to be one hungover bitch in the morning. But for now? She was having a blast.

“I was so jealous of you guys,” Brittany said wistfully.

Bethany cocked her head to the side. “Whatever for?”

“Because you all have a man to go home to. All you’ve talked about is how cute they think you are when you’re drunk. How they’ll tear your dresses off and f**k you in your heels.” Her expression went dim. “I’ve never had a man who wanted to do that.”

“You do now,” Kai drawled from the doorway.

Brittany turned bright red, but warmth crept in to her gaze as she turned to look at Kai who was still standing in the doorway.