Twisted(38)

Before Nick could respond, he slipped past him into the hall and headed into the rustic bedroom on his left. Obviously this was the one Nick hadn’t claimed, since it looked untouched. A thick plaid spread covered the double bed and a plush loveseat and pair of chairs made up a small seating area. The old-fashioned carved armoire opened to a pair of thick white robes. Clearly this place was made for couples.

One more reason to put sex in his head. Fabulous.

He walked to the window and flipped the lock, then dragged up the sill so he could haul in a breath of humid air. Beyond the cabin lay what appeared to be miles of woods. His gaze drifted back to the deck and he did a double take at the huge Jacuzzi. Best of all, a door beside the closet allowed direct access to said Jacuzzi without having to go through the rest of the house.

Shaking his head, he stepped away from the window. Yeah, lovers would have a fucking awesome time here. Him? He needed a hit.

He tugged out his cell and tapped in another quick text to Cricket. She couldn’t leave him high and dry with Nick. Maybe he hadn’t been clear enough about the desperate straits he was in.

Or maybe he’d have to dig out the weed Jere had given him and settle for that. He wasn’t a big fan of pot, but shit, his nerves were jumping under his skin. If he touched his arm, he was certain he’d feel them wriggling beneath the surface. A few tokes would take the edge off.

“So? What’s the verdict?”

And that right there was a big reason why. Damn Nick. Damn Jazz. Damn everything right now.

“Verdict?” Gray finished his text and tossed his phone on the bed. “On what?”

“On the place. I think—holy shit, look at that Jacuzzi.” Nick strode over to the door and pulled it open before tossing a grin over his shoulder. “Man, dragon lady is nuts if she thinks I’m going to spend the entire time strictly dickly in a tricked-out place like this. This house is practically begging for an orgy.”

“Dragon lady?”

Nick’s grin spread. “Yeah, fits Lila, don’t you think?”

In lieu of replying, Gray dropped to the mattress. He cast a sly glance at his silent phone. What the hell was Cricket doing? She never went this long without answering. Yes, he owed her money. He had a little bit left in his savings account stashed away for the next few months of rent so if he had to, he’d use that. If Cricket ever bothered to return his text.

“You heard Lila,” he said vaguely, still fixated on his cell. “She wants us to concentrate on coming up with material for the album. We need to bond or some shit.”

Nick snorted. “Lila can kiss my ass. She’s not here, and I’m not wasting this kind of setup.”

“So you’re already bailing on the plan. Why am I not surprised?”

“Look, Boy Scout, not all of us do real well at taking orders. I know for a fact that you’re not nearly as lily white as you pretend, so go fuck yourself.” Nick crossed the room and slammed the door hard enough to shake the foundation.

Shaking his head, Gray balled up his pillow. He shoved it under his head and stared at his phone, willing it to ring. He couldn’t do this week without blow. If he had to empty his savings and offer up his dick as a goddamn consolation prize, he’d do it. He had no choices left.

A text came through and he leaped on his phone. Excitement surged and banked as he realized it was from Jazz. Not that he didn’t want to hear from her too, but at the moment he had another priority. Even his gorgeous, perfect best friend couldn’t compare with a sweet white pile of powder.

Simon just got the esthetician’s number. He said it’s a new personal record. I think Deak’s too disgusted to laugh.

Gray waited, unable to reply. But she wasn’t done.

Back in high school, I saw girls give you their numbers way faster than that. Though you always tried to hide them from me. You always joked that I was hotter than they were.

He swallowed and shut his eyes. Jesus, how had they gotten to this place? She’d been the cornerstone of his life for so long. The reason he wanted to be a better man. The answer to all the questions he’d never been brave enough to ask when he wasn’t high. They mattered too much, and he was a goddamned coward.

Now she was asking him to remember a simpler time, one where his longing for her had been pure and untainted, while he had a hard-on for a mirror and a snow-white smile.

His thumbs moved over the keys. You are hot. The hottest girl I’ve ever seen.

Without giving her a chance to answer, he shut off his phone.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Then



Holy crap, what had she gotten herself into?

Standing in the foyer of Beth’s parents’ house, Jazz glanced around with wide eyes. She wasn’t a stranger to parties, but this one was a freaking rager. The place had already been completely trashed and it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet. The front door stood wide open and a steady stream of people poured in and out, most of them laughing and shouting and guzzling their drink of choice.