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“Not really?” I mock. “I’m not going to stop you, Jax, but I’d rather y’all not mess up the friend group for a casual fling.”
He bites out a laugh. “I’d think you were jealous since you keep riding my dick about this. We’ve only hooked up, like, three times, okay?”
I’m not worried about Jaxon. I know he views it as purely casual—which is fine. I’m not going to get mad at anyone for their sex life—but when it comes to the group, I tend to be protective. Casey Gutierrez is the most recent addition to the group, and her family is the new owner of the country club in town. The whole town, including her parents, is always confused about why she loves to slum it up with either of us. Casey is a bombshell, so of course, Jaxon started flirting with her the minute we all smoked together for the first time. Even if she insists that she also views it as nothing more than a friends-with-benefits situation, I see the way her eyes linger on him.
A few minutes later, Casey climbs into the middle of the pickup. There isn’t a backseat, but Jaxon always puts the ladies in the middle, especially if he wants to keep his hands on them. Though, I notice that his hand is nowhere near Casey’s thigh, even with the shorts she’s wearing exposing most of what she’s working with. She’s wearing, a yellow crop top and cut-off dark-wash denim shorts.
“What’s the flavor for tonight?”
“I brought the good stuff.” Casey opens her backpack, revealing an unopened bottle of rum. I’ll never say no to Casey spoiling us with top-shelf liquor.
The cove fire usually has kegs, but if you want something harder, you bring it yourself. Casey has access to the country club’s bar, so she usually supplies the liquor. Let's just say we’ve had plenty of nights messing around after hours.
It doesn’t escape me that Casey is leaning closer to Jaxon—not that I’m gonna complain, more space for me.
The cove fire is a tradition here in Alliance. During the summer, you’ll find all kinds of people here. You have the locals that want to party like there’s no tomorrow. Then you have the trust-fund tourist, here for a weekend in their beach house or maybe even long term because they are going to college near here. Today is no different.
When we get there, the party is already underway. The bonfire is already started in the middle, and a few smaller ones made by separate groups are littered around the area. The kegs are set up, and couples are pairing off. It’s almost a rite of passage to have sex at the cove. I’ve done it with three different tourists.
“Took you guys long enough!” Piper calls over from the keg as her boyfriend, Tyler Hartley, pours us drinks.
Piper Ralston is wearing an outfit similar to Casey’s but with a button-up pink crop and light-wash denim shorts. The light from the fire makes it look like she’s glowing.
She practically runs up to us, her braids bouncing with each step in the sand.
Tyler greets Jaxon and me with two solo cups of cheap beer. He’s a pretty quiet dude, but he's come out of his shell ever since he bagged a baddie like Piper. We also took him under our wing in handling social interactions.
This is the group. They’ve helped me a lot, but some part of it has always felt like something is missing. I know exactly what’s missing, and I don’t know if I’ll ever feel fully okay unless he’s back in my life.
I miss him.
CHAPTER THREE
Sally
I was twelve when the Reeds adopted me into their family. Imagine my surprise when two women who loved each other wanted to take me into their family. My own birth parents didn’t even love me enough to wait until I was out of the room to argue. I was even surprised to find that all my new siblings were also adopted. A family that loves each other without blood connecting us.
It was a trial period at first, which Moms would deny each time I brought it up. I still remember the meeting like it was yesterday. They both came into the room. Mama wore a green sundress that made her look like she was radiating sunlight at that moment. Ma looked like she was holding something back. While Mama pulled me into a hug, Ma stayed on the other side of the room. It wasn’t until the papers were signed that she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug like she had wanted to do that from the start but needed reassurance that I was going home with them.
Each time I looked at Mama, with her long hair and makeup, it made my stomach ache. I spent hours looking in the mirror, wanting to just change. It wasn’t until she caught me with one of her wigs that they both had a talk with me that changed my life.
A car horn takes me out of my thoughts with a jump.
My moms are going to kill me if they ever find out about my situation. The fluorescent lights of the motel flood into the Reed family car. Well, we have three family cars: one for Moms, the second one belongs to Miguel now, and then the third car goes to the youngest Reed siblings. That mostly involves Leon, Ella, and me. Mimi and Lotte are in bigger cities that use tram systems to get around, so they don’t need a car.
This weekend is my turn with the car, but I don’t want any of them to worry.
The motel lights flicker, creating an ominous aura surrounding the building. It is dark out now, so the only light for miles is right in front of me. I look around the building that I visit every few weeks, seeing the pool that I’ve never seen a single person swim in and the front desk employee who is half asleep.
My phone lights up.
HungDiscreet
Room 106
Princess
On my way
