get through a night of catching up with people when I’ve got Jordan looking like this and knowing she’s naked underneath. Jordan slows and comes to a stop as we reach the crosswalk. “Beck, you’re Brazen’s VP. You’re going to have to stop staring at my ass when we get there and look like the professional Griff is counting on you to be.” She puts her hands on my shoulders as she gives this advice.
I groan as I force myself to resist grabbing said ass right here. Jordan’s eyes twinkle like she knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Just give it one little squeeze and then no touching until we’re home later.”
My hands don’t hesitate and slide right over the smooth fabric, grabbing on. Just as I do, a familiar car honks and Zora sticks her head out the window with a wolf whistle. Taylor’s driving, with Ellie riding shotgun and it looks like Brie is in the backseat with Zora as they drive by, waving.
The light changes for us to cross and I grab Jordan’s hand, not wanting to lose the connection just yet. “Taylor’s been happy as hell ever since Ellie got back with him,” I tell Jordan.
“Ellie too. She made a good effort at fake happy for a while there, but it’s the real deal now.”
“With everyone in the house pairing off, makes me wonder if Griff will find his girl or if he’ll be single forever.”
“Brie’s not with anyone, is she?”
“Uh, I’m not sure,” I hedge. Shit. I don’t want to keep a secret from Jordan, but I promised I wouldn’t tell her who Brie’s been seeing just yet.
Jordan doesn’t seem to notice my vague response. She hops off her board and picks it up as we get closer to the store. “Wow, are those people waiting to come in?”
I check my watch. We’re twenty minutes before the official start time, just to make sure Griff doesn’t need any last-minute help. We figured it’d be like a normal party, with people flowing in later, not all showing up right on time. But there are at least two dozen people milling about, and I don’t recognize any of them.
“Some of them have cameras. I know you said there’d be a professional photographer, but…” Her voice drifts off as one of the people in the crowd aims a camera at us.
I’ve had unexpected cameras on me at skateparks, and with the exception of hidden cameras for Shred Live, this is the first time I’ve experienced an unexpected shot walking down the street.
My arm moves around Jordan’s waist as I turn us around. “What are you doing?” she asks.
“Let’s go in the back. The front’s probably locked so these guys can’t get in.”
“Who are they?”
“I’m not really sure. Maybe Griff knows.”
But when we get inside the store, Griff’s the one asking us questions. “Are those paps out there?”
“Paps as in paparazzi?” Jordan asks.
“Yeah. I mean not all of them have cameras. Some look like fans who might have heard about this and thought it was open to the public.”
There’s a knock on the front door and we spot Taylor peering in with Brie, Zora and Ellie behind him.
Naomi jogs over to open the door and Griff is hot on her heels, grabbing her around the waist. “I told you not to open the front door yet.”
“Relax Griff, I'm getting it for Taylor, not letting your fangirls in.”
Griff opens the door for them as Naomi huffs in annoyance before turning to give us smiles. We spent all morning skating together, and I know she’s excited to be included in this party. Technically she and Summer are working, but in their minds they’re getting to be part of something they normally are too young for.
“Who are all those people out there?” Brie asks the same question we’re all asking once they’ve slipped inside.
Summer is sitting on the counter and calls out, “Griffin and Beck’s fangirls and some local news stations. I don’t think any of those are like legit paps for celebrity mags. You guys really aren’t in that league, sorry.”
I hope she’s right. “Besides, we aren’t in LA,” Naomi adds. “Beck, have you even been to LA since Shred Live aired? I wonder if you’re famous enough now for paparazzi to pay attention.”
My arm tightens around Jordan. “Doubt it. And I’m not planning to go to LA anytime soon.”
“Well whoever they are, we need to open the doors soon,” Griff points out. “I didn’t think I’d need a bouncer. How are