Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(38)

“If you guys will excuse me, I have to get back to work. Bo, stop by my office later so we can talk about when we’re leaving for

the concert.” I turn for the building and catch Bo biting a smile away from his lower lip, as Ainsley’s face goes flush. I can’t

deny that it felt good to make her jealous, but I’ll try.



*



I’ve successfully avoided everyone for the rest of the afternoon by keeping myself busy with phone conferences. An hour before we

’re supposed to leave for the concert, Monica walks into my office.

“Good news, Josh got the night off, so he’s our sixth. Can I borrow your red lipstick?” She pulls a mirror out of her purse and

smacks her lips together.

“Sure. Are we getting ready here or at the hotel?” I ask, as I reach for my lipstick.

“Like hell! You guys are coming to my house!” Rachel bounces in with Regan right behind her.

Would it be weird if I just stayed here? I haven’t been back to the Cavanaugh estate. The thought of crossing that threshold again

makes me dizzy.

“Well then, let’s get out of here so we can pretty ourselves up for Chris Martin. Josh will meet us at the concert.” Monica

slings her bag over her shoulder, says “hi” to Regan, and heads to the parking lot.

We follow her down the hallway and into the sweet release of fresh air.

“You feeling all right, Ember? You look a little pale.” Regan breaks my reminiscent gaze into nowhere.

“What? Oh, sorry, yeah, I’m fine. Just tired—guess I should go get some coffee before we head to the concert.” I chuckle as I

stretch my hands over my head.

Although we’ve only known each other a short time, Regan has clearly tuned into me. Under ordinary circumstances, I’d like to

think he’d be my best friend—I can feel that connection. He’s dating my ex-boyfriend’s sister, however, and seems to see my

heart beating through my shirt whenever Bo’s around. His head nods in understanding, while his eyes give away his doubt. Before

Regan can call me out, Bo walks over from his car.

“Ready, Rae? Hey Regan, how’s it goin’, man?” Regan and Bo slap each other’s hands.

“Yeah, Josh is meeting us there, and Regan can come with us. We’re all heading to the house so the girls can get ready.” Rae

smiles and Bo’s eyes immediately shoot to mine...as do Regan’s.

“I’m ready.” I force a smile while Bo and Rae head to his car, but Regan chooses to stick around and stare at me. “What?” I

ask of Regan incredulously, bugging my eyes for effect.

He shakes his head and puts his arm around my shoulders with a chuckle. “Ah, Rapunzel,” he teases, “I’m guessing this is going

to be an interesting night.”

“Oh, f*ck entirely off, Regan.” I laugh and slide into Monica’s car.

When I close the door, I have to deal with Monica’s face.

“What now? Why can’t anyone leave me alone today?” I start in.

“You know what now. What the hell was that earlier today with Ainsley? You do realize you showed Bo that you still care about him

by pointing out your plans tonight in front of her, right?”

I was so ticked off by Ainsley’s presence, and her assertion in front of me that they’d had lunch together, that I didn’t

consider Bo’s reaction to what I said.

“Whatever, just friggen drive.” I motion to Bo’s car that’s pulled out ahead of us.

“You need to get your shit together, sister. You’re skinny as hell, even Josh has noticed. Plus you’re having sex all the live-

long day with Adrian, oh, and you’re in love with Bo.”

I bite my lip in an attempt to fight the anger brewing inside. I fail.

“Here we go! Do you remember when we got loaded at Lost Dog? Before that was when you told me to “figure it out” with Adrian, or

whatever you said. Well, I’m figuring it out, so leave it the hell alone, Monica.”

“Oh, shut the hell up, like you do anything anyone tells you to do anyway. I could have told you to go after Bo that night, and

you wouldn’t have done it just to spite me. Don’t use me as an excuse for your ‘issues.’” She puts air quotes around ‘issues

’ and I kind of want to punch her in the face.

“Shit,” she continues, “I lost them.”

“Turn left up here.” I motion with my hand.

After I guide Monica to the private road, I watch her eyes widen to the same gauge mine must have the first time I came to this

gate.

“Yeah, I know. He left it open. Just drive through, he’ll close it from the house.”

“You weren’t kidding ...” Monica recalls the phone call we had when I was in Bo’s bedroom after I met Rachel.

When the house comes into view, my wires and signals have become so crossed, they pack up and head home for the evening. I can no

longer run on instinct or what I think I should be doing, I have to force myself through the motions and just get to the concert.





Chapter Sixteen