Jaded (Jaded #1)(88)

I caught a few amused grins from the guys, but Mandy just looked resigned to what was coming next.

Bryce locked my bedroom door behind us and set me on my feet. And I knew that meant the real fight was about to start. I backed up, hands in the air, and started, “Look, Corrigan is your best friend and he deserved to know. What do you expect? I’m not going to talk to my best friend when the guy I love is leaving me—”

Bryce slammed his mouth against mine, picked me up, and then slammed me on the bed with him on top.

I eagerly wound my legs around him and hung on.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

The party was in full swing by the time we emerged.

Holster greeted us, grinning like a mad man and a beer in each hand. “That was awesome!”

I chuckled and took a drink.

“We should have parties here all the time.”

Evans came over and threw an arm around my shoulder, “Man, I can’t ever beat that pre-party warm-up. Not only one fight, but a girl fight too! You already made this party. It could be lame for the rest of the night and it’s still going down in history.”

Chet materialized from the crowd and informed us, “Corrigan finished the alarm system stuff. It’s all turned off for the night, since, you know—closed doors don’t go with parties.”

Tatum pushed his way through the crowd and said, “Corrigan’s downstairs with his girl. Lew took off, but she’ll probably show up with her boy and Locke.”

“They dare to crash my party?” I laughed.

“Apparently anything goes with your parties,” Tatum laughed.

Evans added, still grinning, “This party rules.”

“And some losers showed up. We kept them outside,” Holster spoke up.

“I want them to come,” I murmured, suddenly somber. “I want them all.”

“As long as they’re not that psycho killer, right?” Tatum laughed and scanned the crowd. At our grave silence, he looked back, saw my face and sighed, “Oh no.”

“Don’t get drunk then,” Chet murmured and handed his full bottle to someone passing behind him.

“Don’t get drunk at all,” Bryce said instead and the rest of the guys grimaced, but handed their beer away.

“Seriously? That’s what this party is for?”

The doorbell rang and someone exclaimed, “Food’s here!” The Party Packs were taken out of Marcus’ hands and brought inside where they were immediately attacked. I’d already paid, but I grabbed a five dollar bill and pushed my way to Marcus’ side. “Here you go.”

He took his tip and smiled faintly, “You really are having a party, huh?”

I nodded and glanced around. “You already missed the excitement. There were two fights.”

“I can imagine.” He smiled faintly and blushed. “Thanks.”

“You can stay, if you’d like,” I offered.

His eyes narrowed as he searched my face. Slowly, he shook his head and said, “No, I’m okay. I’ll be safer if I head home.”

“Okay, but really…you can come back if you want.”

“Okay.” He nodded. “Thank you.”

“Yeah.”

I turned around before I saw the door close behind him. I didn’t have to push my way through the crowd as I walked downstairs and found Corrigan nuzzling Logan’s neck in a back corner. His hand was underneath her skirt as he straightened, lazily, and smiled with lust in his eyes.

He was already drunk.

“What, are you stupid?” I cried out and snatched his beer from his other hand.

Logan melted against him and wrapped her arms around him. She nibbled on his neck and I saw that she was drunk too.

“What?” He frowned slightly, but both his hands started to work their way up and Logan’s skirt lifted, completely showing her thong to anyone who might’ve been watching—which was plenty.

“You’re drunk and you know what this party is for tonight,” I hissed.

“So? I’m sure you and Bryce got it covered.” He turned his head and started nuzzling Logan’s neck again.

“Oh my god,” I snapped and hauled him off his chair.

Logan sat, dazed, and blinked at the open air.

I hauled Corrigan into a back room and shut the door. “Are you demented? Is that what this is?”

“What are you talking about?” He suddenly looked sober.

I sucked in my breath and asked, “Was that acting? Is that your plan? I don’t need you drunk and getting it on with Logan at every chance. We’re not hunting snipe tonight.”

“What’s the plan even? Just walk around and inspect every loser? See if they pull out a knife or something? We don’t know who or what we’re looking for—and I’m betting you money that the police are across the street, watching everything. You are under protection, right?”

“This is why this guy is going to come tonight. He can get close to me without the police seeing him coming. He’s coming tonight and I’m going to be ready for him. I’m tired of finding more people dead or getting notes. I’m tired of it all.”

“Sheldon,” Corrigan sighed and sat down on the bed. “This isn’t right. I mean—you threw me for a loop with Bryce leaving, I’m not exactly all clear-headed right now.”