“HEY, YOU MADE it,” Justin greets us in the foyer with another guy who looks like an older version of himself. Tonight is the Phillips’ annual “CEOs and High-class Hoes” party. Justin lets out an appreciative whistle. “You two are killin’ it tonight. This is my brother, Owen.” He gestures to me and Harper. “Owen, this is Jay and this is Harper.”
“You’re Zach’s girl, right?”
“Just Jay.” I smirk.
It’s been a rough few days, putting space between Zach and me, but right now, it’s what we both need.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?
Owen’s eyebrows shoot upward. “Really?” His eyes rake over my dress and back up to meet mine. “I thought he was the smart one.”
“I heard that, dickhead,” a familiar voice says behind me. I look over my shoulder and smile at Logan.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I tell him.
“I couldn’t miss my best friend’s party.” Logan gestures to Owen. “Your cousin Dylan is around here too, you know.”
“Shit, I forgot she’s a Mackenzie,” Owen says.
“Yep.” Logan hooks an arm around Harper’s neck. “This one here has Cole wrapped around her finger.”
Harper snorts and shakes her head unconvinced. She’s hasn’t quite forgiven Cole just yet. Not for Cole’s lack of begging.
“Oh, yeah?” Owen laughs. “That’s impressive. Well, I gotta get back to the party. It was nice meeting you both.” He turns to Logan. “I’ll catch up with you later. Come on, Justin.”
“I’ll see you two later,” Justin says before he disappears into the crowd.
“My brother would shit if he saw this outfit,” Logan says. “It figures you’d be the one to make slutty look classy.” He laughs.
“The invitation said High-class Hoes.” While I was in LA, Evangeline and I stopped at this boutique that specialized in nightlife lingerie. I bought several pieces, but the one I chose to wear tonight is a short light blue shimmery lace dress made of silk that fits snug to my body. The top has a scoop neck, long sleeves, and an open back with a tight knitted, perfectly placed pattern, designed to conceal the private areas but to also leave enough to the imagination. I bought one for Lexi in a deep blue color and one for Harper in an emerald green. I love that color on her. I also bought myself one in black and red. I switched out the thong that came with the dress for a pair of cheeky panties.
Harper is wearing an oversized men’s business shirt with a loose tie around the collar, a black lacy bra and matching cheeky lace panties underneath, garters, and high heels. Cole would seriously shit twice and die if he saw her right now. She looks hella hot.
One of the many things I love about Harper, is that even though she’s quiet and keeps to herself most of the time, she’s comfortable in her own skin. She’s confident and, though she doesn’t flirt or flaunt her body, she’s aware of her beauty, which, in turn, makes her sexy. I can totally see the appeal that once attracted an older, married man and why Cole is so in love with her.
“Jay—”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Logan.”
“He’s devastated, Jay. You’ve been ignoring him all week. Talk to him.”
“He’s the one who’s confused.”
“Give him a break. It’s a lot to handle for anyone. Including you. Don’t make him out to be a bad guy for trying to do the right thing.”
“Oh, and feeling up Reagan in front of me was the right thing?”
“He knows he screwed up.” His eyes move over to Harper. “They both do,” he says before he turns and disappears into the crowd.
I’VE GOT A hot date tonight with Zoe and a Disney movie marathon. I can’t tell you which movies she picked, only that there’s a prince and a princess. Speaking of princess, Jay has completely cut me off. Again. She ignores me in class, she eats lunch in the performing arts building, she won’t answer my calls, and she barely answers my text messages. I made a mistake. Using Reagan to hurt Jay was a shitty thing to do. I have no excuse for it, other than I’m an asshole.
I grab my ringing phone from the coffee table and see Logan’s name on the screen. “It’s only been an hour and you’re interrupting our Disney marathon,” I say by way of answering. “She’s fine. I promise.”
Logan laughs and I can hear the party going on in the background. “You’re off duty.”
“Off duty?”
“Yeah. Mom and Dad are on their way home from dinner to watch Zoe. Get dressed and get your butt over to Owen’s.”
“No, Logan. I’m not in the mood for a party.”
“Jay’s here with Harper.”
“Wh—she’s there?” I hiss. Of course, she’s there, because she hates me. “What is she wearing?”
“More than most. So, I’ll see you soon?” No doubt, Logan is loving this. He’s been giving me shit all week.
My reply is to hang up on the asshole and call Cole.
“Yo!”
“Come pick me up. We’re going to the Phillips’s party.”
“No way. I’m already on Harper’s shit list.”
“Jay and Harper are at the party.”
“You’re shitting me? I thought Harper was working tonight. Give me thirty minutes.”
Thirty minutes later, Cole pulls into the driveway and lays on the horn. “I’ll see you guys later,” I call out to my parents.
“Hold on, Zach,” my dad says, meeting me at the door. “What’s your plan?”
“I’m going to the Phillips’s party. Don’t worry, I’m not drinking.”
“Please don’t let tonight turn into a repeat of Monday night.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
I’m going to get my girl.
HARPER AND I make our way over to the bar and order a couple of lemon drop shots from a guy named Chad, our bartender for the evening.
“Jayla.” I look over my shoulder to see Chelsea coming our way, dressed in a short black satin nightgown with a matching robe hanging open and black furry heels.
I’m so not in the mood for her shit tonight. A few days after the Winter Ball incident, Chelsea sent me an apology text. I didn’t respond.
I roll my eyes and turn back to Harper, clinking my shot glass with hers before tossing it back.
Chelsea stops in front of where Harper and I are facing each other. “I saw what went down with that reporter lady,” she snickers. “Justin told me what Zach did to you. That was a dick move.”
The sincerity in her voice catches me off guard. I raise my brows and wait for her to laugh in my face, but she doesn’t. Instead, she says, “Zach doesn’t handle being humiliated very well.” She winces. “I’m sorry.” Her apology seems genuine, but I’m still skeptical.
She must see it on my face. “Look, I know you don’t trust me and I don’t blame you. I was a total bitch to you because you hurt Zach and I wanted to hurt you. I’ve known Zach my whole life and I care about him. He told me what Reagan did to you. I hate that bitch and I’m sorry for whatever part I played in that. I wish I could take it all back. Especially now that I know what you were going through. I’m sorry about your dad.”
“Thanks.”
“I truly believe that you and Zach were always meant to be. Maybe when things settle down, we can all get together and you and I can get to know each other for real.”
“I’d like that.” It’s true. I’d take an ally over an enemy any day.
Justin appears at Chelsea’s side, grabbing her hand. “Come on, Chels, let’s go dance.”
Chelsea shoots me a wink as Justin pulls her toward the dance floor.
Logan moves to stand beside me, leaning against the bar with a drink in his hand. There’s a twinkle in his eye and I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen him with a drink since Zoe came along.
“What’d Chelsea say to you?” he asks.
“She apologized.”
“Hmm.” He nods before taking a sip of his drink. I’ve been so far up Zach’s ass lately, I never appreciated just how beautiful Logan is, too. Somewhere out there is a woman who is going snag Logan Easton and that woman is one lucky bitch.
Brad and Cherry squeeze through the crowd and appear in front of us. “Hey, Cherry.” I reach over and hug her. “You look so pretty.” She’s in a pink strapless dress with a red skinny belt and red patent leather peep-toed heels. Her wild curls have been straightened making her silky light brown hair fall to the center of her back. She’s so sweet and perfect for Brad.
“Thank you,” Cherry says, giving me a once-over. “You look hot.”
“Smokin’ hot,” Brad says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Bow-chica-wow-wow!” I sing as I rock my hips from side to side. “Is Brooklyn here?”
“Hell, no,” Brad scowls. “Brooklyn isn’t allowed anywhere near this party.”
“Jay!” Lexi calls out, weaving through the crowd tugging Evan behind her.
“How did you get out of the house dressed like that?” Evan asks, gesturing to my dress.
“My mom was out.” I wink. “Besides, I’m overdressed compared to most. Have you seen what these girls are wearing? The invitation said ‘High-class Hoes,’ not strippers and porn stars.”
Harper playfully jabs me with her elbow and laughs.
I hook my arm around Harper’s neck. “Harper’s my CEO.”
“Harper, I would pay money to see the look on Cole’s face right now,” Brad says with a laugh.
Harper rolls her eyes.
“Better get out your money, bro,” Evan says, jerking his chin. “Because they’re here and heading this way.”
I look over at Logan. “You told him I was here, didn’t you?”
“He’s my brother.” He shrugs.
I smack him in the arm. “You’re lucky I love Zoe, you jerk.”
Grabbing my shot from the bar, I toss it back and lean over to Harper. “Let’s go dance.” We push off the bar. “Cherry,” I call over my shoulder and point to the dance floor. “Come on, Lexi.” I hook my arm through Lexi’s and the four of us make our way to the middle of the crowded dance floor.
“Oh, hell, no!” I hear Cole’s big mouth yell just as Maroon 5’s “Animal” starts playing.
I yell out, “Oh, snap! This is my jam, bitches.”
BY THE TIME Cole and I arrive at Justin’s house, the place is packed with half-naked girls in lingerie and guys dressed in disheveled business shirts and ties hanging loosely from their necks.
Cole takes the lead and shoves his way through the sea of bodies and I follow closely behind. “Zach, your girl is here,” a chick I’ve never met before yells over the music.
Some random guy steps in our path and slaps Cole on the back. “Dude, Harper is sexy as fuck. You still hittin’ that?” Even with the music blaring, I can hear the growl rip from Cole’s throat as he cocks his head to the side, peering over the guy’s shoulder. The guy backs away with his hands raised in surrender. “Sorry, man, just sayin’. You’re a lucky guy.”
“Oh, hell, no!” Cole charges forward, shouldering past the random guy. “Did you see what Jay was wearing?” he asks me over his shoulder.
“No. Where is she?” Logan, Brad, Evan, and Levi, Evan’s cousin and Jay’s security, are standing near the bar laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Cole asks with a scowl.
“What’s up, Harry Potter?” Brad laughs again, causing the rest of them to laugh harder. Me included.
“Shut up, dickhead,” Cole snaps. “I wasn’t planning on coming and I’d already taken out my contacts,” he explains as she scans the makeshift dance floor before turning his gaze on Levi. “You let Jay leave the house wearing that outfit?”
Levi’s lip curls up before he shoots back, “I’m her security, not her fuckin’ stylist, asshole.”
“They’re out there dancing and having a good time,” Logan says. “Don’t do anything stupid or you’ll screw up any chance you have of fixing this. You hear me?” He points at Cole. “Especially you, Mackenzie.”
“I know, I know. Believe me. I’ve been getting my ass chewed out all week and Willow thinks I’m a meany-face.”
“Damn. Willow doesn’t pull any punches.” I chuckle.
“Jay and Harper have been tossing back shots like water. I counted four before they went out on the dance floor.”
“Harper doesn’t drink,” Cole says. “And Jay knows better.”
“She does now,” Brad says with laugh. “And I don’t think Jay gives a shit.”
I turn to my brother and ask, “What’s Jay wearing?”
“Nothing like that.” He jerks his head in a nod, gesturing to a blonde dressed in a leather corset with matching leather boy shorts and high-heeled boots. The blonde throws Logan a flirty smile over her shoulder and he groans. “I need to get laid.”
Cherry walks up breathless and giggling, and leans in to Brad. “Jay is a trip.”
“What are they doing?” Cole asks.
“They’re dancing,” Cherry replies in a clipped tone, then shifts her gaze to me. “They’re having fun.” Translation: leave her alone. Cherry has become another Evangeline. She’s very protective of Jay. I’m pretty sure she kind of hates me right now.
Lexi emerges from the dance floor and makes her way over to Evan. “Oh, my God! I can’t keep up with those long-legged bitches,” she pants, fanning herself.
“Save some of that energy for me.” Evan wiggles his eyebrows.
I shift my gaze over to the dance floor when the music switches to a slow song and see a flash of red hair next to a familiar head of black hair pulled up into a high ponytail.
“What the fuck is she wearing?” I growl and jerk forward, ready to throw Jay over my shoulder and get her out of here. Jay’s see-through dress is not meant to be worn outside the bedroom. Light blue lace, and though you can’t see her nipples, it’s obvious she’s not wearing a bra. And her panties… Fuck!
Harper is wearing a men’s dress shirt open in the front with a black lace bra and panties underneath and a loose tie around her neck. Jesus, she’s wearing garters. Clearly, she’s trying to give Cole a heart attack. As the two weave through the crowd, heads turn and eyes drop to their asses.
Cole follows my gaze and his eyes nearly pop out of his head. “Harper is so getting her ass spanked for this,” he growls and I raise my brows.
Okay. Wow.
Logan puts his hand on my chest to stop me from going all “caveman,” as Jay would say. “She’s been drinking. Do you really want to go another round?” He smirks and I blow out a breath in an effort to calm down. “Didn’t think so.”
Harper brushes past Cole without a word or even a glance in his direction and makes her way up to the bar. Jay does the same.
Cole, being the stubborn ass that he is, shoves his way past Logan and positions himself behind them.
“Jay, I can see your tits and ass through that dress,” he says with a clenched jaw. “I’m pretty sure neither Emerson nor Bass would approve of this outfit or…” He gestures to her dress. “…piece of fabric.”
Jay spins around. “Last I checked, I’m an adult and you’re not my father.” She pauses to take in Cole’s getup and bursts out laughing, pointing to his glasses. “You look like fucking Clark Kent.” She doubles over, one hand on her side and the other holding on to the bar. “Look Harper, it’s Cole-ark Kent.” She laughs even harder at her own joke. Harper eyes him over her shoulder and snorts.
Not gonna lie, it’s kind of hard to take Cole seriously in those glasses.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Cole quips, pressing up against Harper, with his hands on the bar, caging her in. “I’m the man of steel.” He thrusts his hips forward. “Isn’t that right, Harper?”
“Ugh, you’re an idiot,” Jay says, rolling her eyes.
“What the fuck are you wearing, Harper?” Cole hisses.
“She’s wearing her ‘fuck off, Cole’ outfit,” Jay quips. “It’s couture from the line of ‘guys are assholes.’ It was made especially for Harper.” My girl is on fire tonight.
“Mind your biz, Jay,” Cole warns.
“It is my biz, Cole. She looks hot. Get over it. Maybe you should try complimenting her instead of acting like a jealous control freak. What do you care, anyway? This isn’t a fairy tale, Cole. Trust me. I, of all people, know there’s no such thing as a happily ever after.”
With every word she spews, her eyes get darker and her face gets redder. A clear sign that her temper is hot and she’s about to lose her shit.
“I told you I was sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
She scoffs. “Yes, you did. You just don’t like hearing your own words thrown back in your face.”
“Babe, you’re drunk,” I cut in.
“Well, shit.” She holds up her hands, gesturing to Cole and me. “We’ve got Superman and Captain Obvious!” she says sarcastically.
Anyone within earshot is laughing. I’ll admit I have to look away and tuck my lips between my teeth to keep myself from joining in. She’s funny as hell when she’s sober, but her sass is on point when she’s had a few drinks.
And to make matters worse, a gazelle wanders—more like, sashays—right into the lion’s den. “Hey, Cole,” a tiny blonde says as she squeezes between me and Cole. She’s wearing one of those little baby doll nighties that parts in the middle, the biggest tits I’ve ever seen up close, on display, and tiny lace—see-through—panties, leaving nothing to the imagination. It’s completely inappropriate no matter what the invitation says.
But we’re guys.
If there’s a pair of giant tits on display for all to see, we’re gonna look. It can’t be helped.
Cole’s gaze drops down to the giant boobs, constrained by the thin, lacy material. A smart guy, whose girlfriend is standing less than a foot away, would quickly look away. But this clueless asshole continues to stare down at the set of tits, now pressed against his arm. What a dumbass. I shake my head at him and turn my attention to Jay, who is staring holes into both Cole and the blonde.
I’ve seen that look before. Nothing good comes from that look.
This girl has no idea what she just walked into.
I glance over at Harper who looks like Cole just screwed this chick right in front of her. “Do I know you?” Cole asks with furrowed brows. His question would’ve been much more convincing if he didn’t still have his eyes zeroed in on her chest.
Logan lets out a disbelieving chuckle as Brad mumbles, “Mackenzie is an idiot,” at the same time Lexi asks, “Is she serious right now?” Evan shushes her. He’s enjoying the show. I love how he went from hating on my girl to hanging on every word that comes out of her mouth. The dick.
I turn my attention back to Jay, who looks like she’s seconds away from punching this chick in her tits.
“Stacey,” the blonde purrs as she wraps her arm around Cole’s. “Remember we, uh….” She looks around and lowers her voice. “We hung out at that lake party last summer.”
What lake party? I smell drama.
A shot glass slams down on the bar with a loud smack and all of our heads turn toward Harper. Cole closes his eyes, looking a mixture of guilt and pain, and exhales through his nose as he pulls his arm free from Stacey.
“Excuse me, Lacey?” Jay purrs, mocking Stacey, crossing her arms over her chest. She’s preparing for a battle.
And here we go.
Logan, the fucker, whoops from behind me and says, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
“It’s Stacey,” she shoots back with a sneer.
Stacey clearly has no sense of danger, but in fairness to her, Jay looks harmless. In my head I’m yelling, “Run as fast and as far away as you can.” But since I’m already on Jay’s shit list, I’m just gonna stand here and watch as the gazelle hands herself over on a silver platter to the lioness.
My lioness.
“Who cares,” Jay says with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Did you not see we were in the middle of a conversation—one of us being his girlfriend?” She jerks her thumb to Harper and pauses for dramatic effect, then smacks her palm against her head. “Oh, my bad. You probably couldn’t see over those enormous tits. Seriously, you should put those things away before someone gets hurt. And FYI, that outfit you’re wearing screams desperation.”
“Jealous?”
“Of what? Future backaches? A place to hide small children?” She cups her breasts. “Does it look like I have anything to be jealous of?”
“Jay,” I warn gently, fighting back a smile. Harper is now hunched over the bar, slapping her palm against the wood as her whole body shakes with silent laughter.
Stacey frowns up at Cole, but his head is turned away; he’s also laughing his ass off. “Cole Mackenzie doesn’t do relationships. Everyone knows that.”
My eyebrows shoot upward. What the hell is she talking about? There’s no doubt someone put her up to this. Ashton. “Someone didn’t get the memo,” I murmur.
With a flirty smile, Stacey turns her big chest away from Cole and aims it my way. She arches her back, pushing her tits further in my direction. I’m not exaggerating when I say that if she arches her back any further, she might tip over.
“You’re Zach, right? Didn’t we hook up at Devin Milner’s party last summer?”
Bullshit. I jerk my gaze from her to Jay in a panic, and then back to her. “Uh… no. I don’t…. I think I would—”
“Finish that sentence Zach, and I will punch you in the dick.” Jay’s angry glare remains on Stacey as her hands move to her hips. She’s in full battle mode. “Excuse me, Lacey… tits for brains.” She snaps her fingers in front of Stacey’s face. “He’s private property and you’re trespassing. Walk away or…” She reaches behind her and grabs a toothpick off the bar. “…I’ll use this to pop those water balloons.” She waves her hand, shooing her away. “Now go away before I smack you.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Jay’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline and her lips curl up on one side, smiling devilishly.
You know that part in the movies, that “uh-oh” moment where someone says or does something stupid, followed by the sound of a record scratch and the whole room goes silent?
This would be that moment.
I move to wrap my arms around Jay and whisper in her ear, “Something’s up. She’s goading you on purpose. It’s okay to show your teeth, but don’t bite. There are too many people here with cell phones.”
“Are you crazy, girl,” Cole speaks up, finally. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but you should probably walk away, Lacey, before she tears you apart.”
“It’s Stacey,” she whines.
“I don’t care what your name is,” Cole replies, sounding annoyed.
“Lacey—Stacey, lower your tits so we can see your face-y,” Jay sings and then snorts, once again laughing at herself. I drop my forehead to her shoulder and burst out laughing and so does everyone else. Even Levi is laughing. I can’t believe Lacey—Stacey is still standing here.
Lacey—Stacey curls her lip like she just smelled something foul. “Excuse me?”
“For?”
“Huh?”
“Ho say what.”
Oh, yeah, she’s done.
“What?” Lacey—Stacey’s eyebrows pull inward, confusion marring her face and Jay doubles over in laughter. “Ugh! Whatever, bitch,” she mutters and storms off.
Finally.
“I’ll be back,” Logan says. “Lacey looks like she could use some comforting.”
Everyone bursts into another round of laughs.
“That was fun,” Jay says, winking at Harper. “Did you see the girl on those boobs?”
Cherry laughs. “You mean boobs on that girl?”
“Oh.” Jay snorts.
“And she’s back.” Cole laughs.
“And you’re still an asshole,” Jay shoots back.
Cole runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Harper.”
Harper whirls around angrily. “You’re always sorry,” she snaps out. “You have no problem running your mouth and putting people in their place…” She gestures to Jay. “…but some skank presses her big nasty tits up against you and all of a sudden you forget how to speak. You have no respect for me or my feelings and I’m sick of it. Fuck the hell off, Cole Mackenzie. I’m done.”
“Don’t say that, Harper,” he pleads.
Harper picks up another shot, tosses her head back, and then slams the empty shot glass on the bar before turning around, shoving past Cole, and heading for the dance floor.
Cole gives me a pleading look.
“What are you doing?” I ask, shooing him away. “Go after her.” I shake my head as Cole hurries off. “Sometimes I can’t believe he’s my best friend.”
“I can’t believe I’m related to him.”
“Go easy on him, Jay. He feels bad for what he said to you and he really does love Harper.”
“I know, but he seriously needs to stop being an ass.”
Lexi and Evan move to the spot Harper just vacated. Logan has disappeared and the rest of our friends head for the dance floor. Probably to watch Cole beg.
“Girl, that was so funny,” Lexi says, running her fingers below her eyes, wiping away her smeared mascara. “I think you could give Evangeline a run for her money.”
Jay smirks. “I learned from the best.”
“You confused the shit out of that girl.” Evan guffaws.
“I confused myself,” Jay admits with a laugh as she pulls from my arms and turns to the bar. “Anyone want to do a shot with me?” She looks over at me. “Except you. I think you should stay away from alcohol for a while.”
“I will,” Lexi volunteers.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” I admit. “Besides, I’m driving you home tonight.”
“I’m not going home with you, Zach.” She signals for Chad, Owen’s friend, who’s working the bar tonight.
“Hey, Chad.” I jerk my chin in a nod. “I’ll take a Coke, please.” I turn to Jay. “I said I was driving you home. You drove here and you’re drinking. How did you think you were getting home?”
“Levi. Duh.” She rolls her eyes.
Chad catches my eye as he sets my Coke down on the bar. He waits for Jay to turn away before he swipes a hand past his throat, gesturing that she’s cut off before sliding a bottle of sparkling water across the bar.
I mouth, “Thanks,” and turn to put my back to the bar.
The lights dim and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” starts playing.
“Aww, I love this song,” Jay coos.
“Dance with me.” I hold out my hand.
“It’s too hot out there.”
“I’m good right here.”
“Fine,” she says before snaking her arms around my waist and resting her head against my chest. “This doesn’t change anything.”
“I know,” I say, burying my face in her neck. “I miss you, Jay.”
“I miss you, too.” She sighs. “Zach?”
“Hmm?”
“Did you hook up with Lacey?”
I chuckle into her neck. “No, and neither did Cole. I think that whole scene was a setup to cause drama.”
“Damn, I should have used that toothpick.”
I chuckle again. “I love you, Jay.”
“I love you too, Z.”