Frayed (Torn #2)(12)

“So, so happy to see you again, Tris!” Emma exclaimed as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“It really is great to see you, too, Boo,” I said, and meant every word. Emma guided me to one of the rattan, chaise lounges, across from the shirtless Taylor. “Going to get you something to drink, b-r-b. Lindsey’s in the kitchen and, as you can see, Bass is over there on the phone.” Emma pointed towards her man, who was well engrossed in a conversation, also not wearing a shirt. He was muscular perfection at its finest. What’s up with these fellas not wearing any shirts? It was a total mind-f*uk to all the girly hormones around the perimeter.

The setting they had out here was impressively awesome. Outdoor bed, dining tables and chairs, but what I really loved was the large table around the chaise lounges. It had a Middle Eastern feel, where they shared their meals and broke bread amongst trusted folks. Complete with dim lighting and lit candles scattered about, it was purely soul-lifting and therapeutic. “They ordered dinner from the villa’s kitchen. It should arrive soon. How was your nap?” Taylor eyed me casually.

“Good, thank you.” I politely replied. Curiosity won out and I blurted, “Is there a Who’s Got the Best Six-Pack Competition around here that I should know about?” Taylor barked out a loud laugh. It was deep, throaty, and very manly. It was the opposite of Harry’s polished, restrained and practiced one.

“Why do you ask? Does it offend, or please you?” Taylor smiled at me before he took a long gulp of his beer.

My eyes instantly darted towards his neck where his Adam’s apple was bobbing up and down, mesmerizing me for a mere second. Taylor caught me staring at him, but I didn’t even blush or stand down from his penetrating gaze. I’m sure pretty boy was used to this kind of attention. Sure, he may be good-looking—to some—but he’s not my type, no matter how much I may enjoy ogling him. “Honestly, it doesn’t offend or please me at all. You could say that I’m indifferent about it.”

That caught his attention. “Even the ever-drooled over Bass Cole doesn’t affect you?” Taylor looked pretty much entertained.

Okay, maybe not Bass. Honest to God I don’t know a living soul who doesn’t have the hots for him. Not one. “I think it’s already a given how the entire universe sees him. I’m not immune to it, no one is.”

Taylor leaned over and studied my face with such concentration. To me, it looked like he was trying to read me, or better yet, read my mind. “Is this your subtle way of telling me that you don’t find me attractive?”

Damn it, he’s pretty forward, too. Hmmm! “I wasn’t trying to tell you anything, but, to answer your question, no, you’re not my type.”

Taylor’s face lit up with a devilish grin. “Women with excess baggage are unattractive to me. Good to know that we have something in common.” He then stood up and saluted his bottle at me before spinning around and heading towards Bass.

Staggered speechless, I stared after his form. What the flying f*uk was that? How the Hell would he know that I have excess baggage? Do I have a f*uking tattooed sign on my forehead or something?

“Uh-oh, looks like you influenced Trista, Lindsey!” Emma chided Lindsey as they approached me with a tray of assorted alcoholic drinks.

My eyes happily took in all the amazing concoctions as Emma placed the tray on the table. Lindsey and Emma then settled on separate lounge chairs. “This is why girlfriends are the best! You can always count on them to cheer up a down and out friend,” I happily said, as my hand grabbed a martini glass with a bright blue liquid in it. Now, if this drink would only turn out to be an AMF (Adios Mother f*uker), I would be an even happier woman. The smile that stretched across my lips was absolutely genuine as it turned out that it was! It was time to get back on boozeville.

“I’m taking it that Horrible Harry is no more?” Lindsey asked while Emma and I took a sip of our drinks. “You used to be like this when there was trouble in paradise with him, but now there’s a dark edge to it. That can only mean one thing, you guys are kaput.”

Crap, Lindsey. She’s too damn observant. This was why it was hard to open up to her, because she tends to just railroad everything and get to the point. She doesn’t stall or prance around the subject. I love her like a sister, but at certain times, Lindsey could be scary as f*uk. I took another gulp of my AMF, tilting my head back and savoring the sweet, fiery burn of the menacing drink.

“I am officially no longer a mistress. No more secret rendezvous. No more scheduled f*uk marathons. No more secret codes. Yep, there is no more Horrible Harry.” I miserably downed my drink before releasing a cringing sigh. “You know what’s the saddest part is? I wasn’t ready for it to be over. The stupid bastard dumped me! Stupid, spineless, piece of shit dumped me. Hah! Joke’s on me.”

Lindsey growled. “I could hire a hitman to end that sorry worthless piece of shit!”

If I weren’t so emotional right now, I would’ve rolled my eyes at her already. That statement was just so Lindsey!

Emma got up, sat next to me, and gave me a comforting hug. “That stupid, faithless prick didn’t deserve your love, babe. It may not seem like it now because everything’s still new. Give it time, you’ll see what I mean.”

Lindsey then came and joined our hug. “I’ve got a solution. We’ll make that f*uker pay.” I was about to protest, but she shushed me. “Okay, I was kidding about hiring a hitman. Okay, maybe I was serious, but only a little. I’ve got a brilliant plan, though. I could set him up, seduce him and make a video. I’ll send it out to all of his associates, and shame him for life. With my face blurred, of course. It’s the brightest plan, isn’t it? It should teach the cheating cad not to f*uk with my bitches!”