After The Ex Games(13)

“Greyson.” She slapped my hand away and pulled back. “What are you doing?” she hissed and looked at Brandon and Katie, who were laughing at us.

“Nothing.”

“You better keep it that way.” She blushed, but I could see a hint of a smile on her face.

Brandon listed off the names of some movies. “Okay, we have three movie choices: The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Identity Thief with that girl from Bridesmaids—don’t ask me how I know she was in Bridesmaids—and The Expendables.”

“I told you, no cartoons,” Katie groaned.

“The Expendables is not a cartoon. It stars Sylvester Stallone,” Brandon corrected her and she laughed.

“Do you think that’s any better?” Katie grinned at Meg. “Meg, please tell my fiancé that there is no way in hell we are watching a Rocky movie.”

“The Expendables isn’t…” Brandon started and then shook his head and smiled at me. “I think we should let the lovely ladies decide, don’t you?”

“Sounds good to me.” I grinned.

“Should we go and get ourselves a nightcap?”

“You got whiskey?”

“I’ve only got a bottle of Chivas Regal, twenty-five years old.”

“Why didn’t you say?” I followed him to the corner of the room, where his bar was. “I’ll have a double, neat.”

“You girls want anything?” Brandon called over and Katie made a face.

“To be called women.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Give us two rum and Cokes.”

“Someone’s looking to get tipsy.” He grinned and she laughed.

“It’s a good thing I don’t need a ride home.”

“I know someone who’d be willing to make sure you get home safely.”

“Sure you do.” They laughed and stared at each other for a few seconds, and I could see the love in both of their eyes.

This was what love was. I couldn’t take this away from Brandon. He had a family now and I couldn’t break that up because I wanted to come clean. I had to wait until he was ready.

“I’m not drinking.” Meg shook her head and yawned. “I have an early day tomorrow. I’m going to go and see if I can find any leads on Nancy. I don’t want a hangover to delay me in the morning.”

“That’s smart.” Katie nodded. “No drink for me either. I’ve a feeling I shouldn’t be drinking right now anyways. Do you want me to help you tomorrow, Meg?”

“No, I’m just going to go to the library. Do some research. See what I can find out about David and Maria.” She bit her lower lip and the room went quiet.

“Meg, I told you I have a private detective on the case. He’s been searching for the last two weeks. Let’s see what he can find.” The words came out of my mouth smoothly, and I watched as Brandon filled the crystal tumblers with the silky brown liquid.

“I know, but after everything…” She gave me a look. “I want to know more about David.”

“I see,” I sighed and cringed as I felt Brandon giving me a murderous look.

I hadn’t told him that I’d told Meg about the letter. I knew he wasn’t telling Katie anything. He didn’t want her to panic. I thought he’d been more hopeful than I had these last two weeks. We’d heard nothing from anyone, and it was easy to just exist in our own microcosm of the world. It was easy to pretend that the end of the world wasn’t looming. However, the letter and the bullet had changed all that. Now things were suddenly a lot darker and much more sinister. We were more than just targets to bring down. We were targets to kill.

Katie spoke up and turned on the TV. “Let’s watch Identity Thief.” She was the only one in the room who had absolutely no clue that everything was completely off. “Let’s not discuss Maria tonight.” She rubbed her eyes and stretched. “Forgive me, but I’ve had more than enough of both Marias. I just don’t know if I can deal with any more.”

“I agree. Let’s just relax tonight.” Meg gave me a naughty smile. “I think we all need to just relax tonight. We’re all safe. Let’s just enjoy the evening. We can worry about everything else in the morning.”

“Yes.” Brandon handed me my drink. “We’ll discuss everything in the morning.”





***

“You guys can lie down if you want.” Katie smiled at Meg and me on the couch. She was snuggled on Brandon’s lap, and he was stroking her hair.

“That’s okay.” Meg shook her head and adjusted her legs for about the tenth time.