“Fuck, fuck, fuck. How far are you away?”
“About half an hour.”
“Mother fucker. I need you to stall. I need to know who was on me and Derick last night.”
“I’ll try the first. And David, Royce, and Owen. Heard you had a good tim—” I hung up. I had no time for chitchat.
I went back out to the lounge room and yelled, “Up, everyone up. Get your shit and get out.”
There was no way I’d call Royce, he was all morals and would make me feel worse than I already felt. Owen was my best bet. I dialed and waited. I heard ringing and followed it to see a sleeping Owen against the window. Shaking the big guy, he shot up ready for action. “Sleeping on the job?”
“Kid. David took over. You insisted I join. Boy can you put your liquor away.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes. I didn’t have time for this shit. “You’re back on duty now. I need everyone out. Brand told me mum, my girl, and Cassie are on the way.”
“Shit, kid, you’re in deep.”
I flinched. He didn’t mean I cheated on Jade, did he? I wouldn’t cheat on her would I? “Owen, did I…did I, you know, with someone?”
The wanker smirked and stretched. So much for employer and employee respect. “Did you what, Stephan?”
Crap. My heart sank and I looked around needing to focus on something else. “I’ll ask later. We don’t have time for this. We need them out now.”
“What’s up, Stephan?” I turned to see Brad in boxers scratching his head.
Panic was setting in. If Jade saw this, I knew any progress I made with her would vanish. “Hey, Brad. I need them all out. I told the girls to meet me at lunchtime. I just found out they’re half an hour away.”
“I’ll help.”
“Thanks.”
The woman who’d been against me when I awoke came bounding over from the kitchen. “You’re back. Did you find your brother?” She trailed her fingers down my bare chest. I grabbed her hands. “Are you ready to have some fun? Let’s go, bad boy.”
“No. I need you dressed and out of here.”
She pouted and I shook my head at the unattractive gesture. “I can come back later?”
Owen laughed and I shot him a glare. “Aren’t you my bodyguard?”
He shrugged. “You don’t look like you need me now.”
Growling in frustration, I flung the girl back. “No. I don’t want you to come back later. I want you gone now.”
Brad grabbed her. “Linda, he turned you down all night, he’s not gonna change his mind.”
Linda pouted up at Brad. “I’ve played with him before.”
Ha, I played with women, not the other way round. I turned ignoring her and let Brad deal with her. I was glad I’d turned her down even in my drunken state.
“That answer your question, kid? You didn’t cheat on your girl. I can tell you that we stopped you calling Jade about a million times. I believe Scott confiscated your phone for a while when you were going to send her a picture of every woman you turned down.”
I winced and reminded myself to thank Scott, I owed him big time.
“Come on, let’s get everyone out.”
*****
Jade, Cassie, and my mum arrived just as we’d all finished showering. I came out to great them with a towel wrapped around my waist. “Hi. We’re all awake now and not feeling so groggy.”
My mum shook her head, she wasn’t fooled. Cassie was too busy staring at him. Jade surprised me by coming to me and wrapping her arms around my waist. “I hope you had fun. You’ve been cooped up with me for over a week looking after me. I’m glad you got out.” She pressed her lips to my chest and kissed it.
I stared down at her stunned. Had I finally gotten somewhere? Leaning down, I tilted her head up and kissed her. Jade didn’t fight, instead she moved her good arm up to hold me to her and kissed me back. My heart soared and I basked in the feeling she wanted me too.
Easing away, I looked around to see my mum and Cassie out on the balcony with Owen and Brad. My brother had only gotten rid of the women in his bed not long before the girls arrived. Scott and a couple of the other guys had done the same, most of them deciding to go home, too tired to go out today.
“So did you have a good time? I had a great girls’ night.”
Hugging her tight, I kissed her forehead. “I had a great night, but I missed you.”
“Ha, you’re such I liar.” She shook her head against him. “Let’s go outside. I want to see the view.”
Jade for once grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the balcony. I happily followed feeling better than I could ever remember. Jade was giving me chance.