Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(95)

“Max got us VIP access in the club,” Shane gushed.

What a girl.

“That’s nice, sweetie,” Amanda said to Shane before smiling sweetly at Max’s date. “So Mary, you ready to run with the big dogs? We’ve been known to get pretty wild.”

“I think I’ll be able to keep up,” Mary answered, matching Amanda’s smile.

“I hope so. Amanda is a total nutcase. Remember when you jumped into the Delaware River from the back deck of that bar?” Kyle was starting to look a little tipsy, and was definitely a talker when he drank. He was probably gearing up to tell a whole bunch of wild Amanda stories. I couldn’t wait.

“Do I remember it? You weren’t even there.” Amanda’s tone was accusatory, but her face held only confidence. And maybe pride.

“No, but those three were.” Kyle pointed at me, Steph, and Danielle. “Just ask them if you don’t believe me.”

Shane looked over Amanda at me.

“Hey, what happens in the Delaware, stays in the Delaware,” I replied, taking a long sip of my drink.

“That’s right,” Danielle added. “Besides, it wasn’t her fault. The cops were chasing her.”

Amanda’s and my eyes flew to Danielle, shocked by a betrayal from someone in our own ranks. Danielle put her hand over her mouth. “Shit, sorry.”

“Snitches wind up as drug dealers’ bitches, Danielle,” Amanda warned before directing her attention back to Mary. “Don’t listen to her. She’s a lush. She has no idea what she’s talking about.”

“How come I never heard this story?” Shane asked, amused.

“Because there’s no way to spin it so that I don’t look like a complete *.”

“How’d you hear it?” Shane asked Kyle.

“Oh, she tells me everything. Lily may seem like her best friend, but she’s got nothing on me and Amanda. Right, princess?”

“Kyle, maybe you should quit while you’re ahead,” Amanda warned.

Kyle held up his hands in a defensive gesture.

“Ah, so maybe Kyle should’ve been your maid of honor,” Shane teased.

“Nah, it’s against the rules to choose a maid of honor you’ve slept with,” Kyle blurted out.

Once the words were out, there was no taking them back, even though Kyle looked like he would’ve moved mountains to do exactly that. Everyone at the table stilled.

Shane was the first to speak. “What the f*ck did you just say?”

Every muscle Shane had visibly coiled, and I knew that this may be Kyle’s very last moment on this earth. I tried desperately to think of something to say to redirect the conversation. “So, Matt, Mark, Luke, where’s John? Writing an addendum to his Gospel?” I laughed awkwardly at my own joke as everyone turned their blank faces to me. “What? No one else thinks it’s weird that Shane’s groomsmen all have names from the New Testament?”

Shane rose quickly and threw his napkin onto the table. “I’m suddenly not hungry. Maybe we should start our night, guys. What do ya say?”

The men all murmured assent as they began to get up. Well, everyone except Kyle. He knew better than to go anywhere with Shane and his closest friends.

“Shane, wait. Let me explain.” Amanda grabbed his arm, but he shook her loose.

“There was a time and a place for that. This wasn’t it. Ready, guys?” And with that, they left.

“Kyle, you are such a f*cking prick. What the hell is the matter with you?” Amanda hissed.

“I don’t . . . shit, I’m . . .God, I’m so sorry, Amanda. It just slipped.” He turned to look at Kate, who sat like a statue beside him. “Kate, baby, just hear me out.”

“I’ve heard enough from you, Kyle.” Tears began to slip down her cheeks as she stood. “I’m suddenly not feeling very well, girls. I think I’m going to call it a night.” She didn’t meet any of our eyes as she walked off.

“You better go after her, dumbass. Fix it before she draws her own conclusions,” Amanda sighed.

Kyle got up awkwardly. “Fuck, Amanda, I’m sorry I ruined everything. I never wanted that. I’ve never felt like a bigger dick.”

“That’s because you’ve never been a bigger dick. Now go get your girl.” Amanda looked away from him, effectively dismissing him.

As Kyle strode off, I stared at Amanda in amazement. Kyle had just jeopardized her marriage, and she still cared enough about him to want him to go after Kate. Underneath that scathingly sarcastic, brazen shell was a real softy.

Amanda looked over at me, sadness written all over her face. “Well, we’re off to a great start.”

I glanced around the nearly empty table at Steph, Danielle, and Mary. Fuck . . . Mary! Max had left her behind? He was almost as big of a dick as Kyle.

Mary could evidently read my face because she explained. “I told Max to go. The guys won’t be able to get into the club without him.”

I smiled at her, though I knew it was grim. But it was all I had, so I hoped she took it for what it was worth. She was obviously a good person, way better than me. That was for sure.

Mary started to stand. “I’ll just go up to my room.”

“No way,” I interjected abruptly. “This is Amanda’s bachelorette party, and it’s going to be a f*cking awesome one if I have to hire every hot, male stripper in A.C. to feed you caviar with his man-meat. Now let’s eat something small, and then go get our freak on.”