Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(44)

I gave her a smug smile.

“Yee haw,” I heard Flem say.

“Oh lads,” Claire exclaimed. “This is class! We’re going to get langers!”

That meant drunk. Very, very drunk. To hell with not making an ass of myself, I hoped I would survive.

I meandered to William with a stomach full of butterflies and gave him a big hug.

“Love you and thank you,” I whispered in his ear.

His eyes were gentle as he looked at me. “Figured you pushing me so hard for guy time meant you needed some girl time. Plus, Adam and Moose wanted you to stop picking on them, so we figured you needed your crew around to take some of the fight outta you.”

“Won’t they get a nasty surprise when they realize picking on them is just plain comedy and I don’t intend to stop?”

“They will, which is why I thought it best to leave it a surprise. You’re welcome.”

I laughed and slipped my fingers through his. We turned as one to my friends.

“Okay gals, this is my man. Keep off.”

I was met with nods and smiles. William squeezed my hand.

There was one tiny, little, itty-bitty issue with the girls present, and it had to do with Lump. I wasn’t a very jealous person, especially with my friends, but Lump always managed to draw the attention of the guy I was with. She never meant to, and she never acted on it, but more often than not, my date would wander away from me…toward her. She was prettier and more confident, more kept together, and I was terrified William would see this and realize he settled for the wrong Californian.

I tried to ignore it, tried to control the hesitation to introduce her with the same weight as the others, but ever since the second Dusty episode, I was hard pressed to hide anything from William’s watchful eyes. While he noticed something was off, though, he didn’t comment. He simply gave each girl a smile, a nod in hello, and looked to the next introduction. Perfect gentleman in every way.

I hoped it lasted.

When I was done and everyone said hello, William gestured to the bar behind him. “Open house, ladies. Help yourself. Bar is free all night long. I heard y’all liked a party, so I took the liberty of inviting everyone worth your time. And a few that aren’t. If you have any trouble, let me know and I’ll take care of it. Otherwise, have a good time! Welcome to Austin.”

“William. May I call you Willie?” Flem asked as if she was speaking to the governor.

He looked at her like she fascinated him.

She fascinated most people.

He nodded with a confused smile. He was used to me, after all. My friends and I were all cut out of the same twisted, screwed up cloth.

“Great. Willie. Little Willie, if I may...” She cleared her throat like a doctor might when talking about the new rash you found on your little finger. “This won’t do.” She pointed to the bar.

“What?” Claire said, outraged.

“No Claire. You especially. No. This won’t do.” Flem turned to all the girls. “We. Need. Structure! We can’t be let loose on an open bar. We’ll have to be scraped outta here!”

“Works for me.” Jane?! “I need to relax!” She headed off to the bar.

Claire followed directly. Flem shook her head, not budging. Until Lump pulled her, then pulled me out of William’s arm, and all of us headed together. There would be no wimps, and no mushy-mushy tonight.

Well, until everyone got drunk. Then all bets were off.

We asked for another champagne cocktail just as the DJ started playing. The song wasn’t great, so we went to the center of our area and chatted with each other. William was off with the boys, trying to give me space.

After a few pleasantries, Flem said, “Okay, can I broach the subject?” She looked at all the girls.

Here it comes. Judgment day.

Jane nodded. Lump shrugged. Claire took a sip. Flem looked at me. “Spill. How did we not know about him?”

“You did! I told you I was with someone.”

“You said ‘with someone,’ yeah. You didn’t say ass deep in love with a good-looking, incredibly suave catch of the century!”

“Jessica,” Jane said, “you really did fail to mention how incredibly hot he was. My God. He is in good shape. His butt just won’t quit!”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at Jane’s serious face. She didn’t make those kinds of remarks normally. What had happened to her in my absence? Too much time alone with Flem, apparently.

“I personally couldn’t stop staring at his shoulders,” Lump said. “He’s a strapping young buck.”

I got a twinge of fear.

Claire raised her hand. “Chest.”

“Eyes,” Flem said. “There is something about them. They pull you to him or something. Weird. Sexy.”

“Alright, alright, alright. Enough you all. My guy, remember? Not up for grabs.”

“Yeah, but... Jess... he is really hot! Why did you not mention that?” Jane asked.

“Oh fer f**ks-sake, leave the girl alone, will ya? She was probably too busy gettin’ laid and being saved,” Claire said with a tsk.

“Does he live up to his name?” Jane asked quietly.

“Jane, who are you? What did Flem do to you?” I gawked at her.

Flem shook her head. “Not me. Tests in general. This master’s program is kicking her ass. She finally knows what we all feel like in school!”