think straight around you, love.”
“Mmmm. I guess so.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek while his arm snaked around her waist hungrily and pulled her in closer.
I looked down at my sandwich. I mean, I was happy for them—always had been—but today . . .
After lunch, they convinced me to head to Cadillac’s that night and I agreed, realizing I needed a dose of fun after my tough week. I headed to the house around five to shower and get dressed. Remi’s car was gone, and I figured she’d taken Malcolm back home for the week. I parked on the street instead of the driveway, thinking it was safer for her if she had the parking closer to the house.
By six, I’d showered, shaved, and changed into jeans and a black Vital Rejects shirt Spider had given me in London. I spent a while around the house, mostly waiting to see if she came in, but she never did. I considered calling her and inviting her out, but in the end, I didn’t.
I just didn’t know where we stood.
At seven I headed to Cadillac’s. It was a college hangout, and I figured it would be packed with all the students here over the weekend.
I walked through the door at Cadillac’s—only the regulars weren’t there.
“Surprise!” came the shouts from a room full of people.
I nearly fell arse over tit onto the marble floor. Grins and shouts met me as people crowded around me to slap me on the back and congratulate me on the house.
Everyone was here. Axel and some of the brothers, a collection of little sisters, Declan and Elizabeth, my father and step-mum, several other girls I knew from Whitman, and Spider—my eyes tracked back to him as he made his way over to me, wearing a baseball hat, black skinny jeans, and his gray leather jacket.
Declan wrapped a big arm around my shoulder. “Dude. Spider arranged this. He wanted to do a little thank-you for taking care of him this summer. By the way, everyone brought a housewarming gift. It’s a Dax festival in here.” He grinned.
Spider had reached us.
“Dude. What the hell?” I checked him out. He chuckled, eyes clear. Focused. “You did this? I don’t know what to say—and that’s not normal for me.”
He shrugged. “You never left my side all summer, and you and Declan are the closest thing to real family I have . . . and bloody hell, I wanted to see you before I start touring.” He pulled a thick envelope out of his pocket. “And . . . I never got a chance to give you this.”
I opened it. Looked back at him. “I can’t take this money. I lost this bet, plus I gave you your quid already.”
“It’s not about the winning—okay maybe a little, but why not? Consider it a housewarming gift and now you have more capital to invest wherever you want.” He plucked at his leather jacket. “Plus, you’ll hurt my little feelings if you give it back.”
“Damn. Thank you, man.” I gave him a quick side-hug. It was too much, but I could see how much it meant to him.
His eyes shifted to the door.
I followed his gaze and saw Lulu, Remi, and Hartford walk through the door. Jealousy lit me up like lightning, my temper spiking. I cursed under my breath and looked away from them.
“You good, mate?” Spider asked, checking out Hartford with critical eyes. His lip curled. “That’s the boyfriend?”
“Fiancé,” I muttered.
He arched a brow. “Want me to kick his skinny arse? Wanna bet if I can?”
I laughed. God, I’d missed him. “You’re a nutter.”
“Sod off,” he said with a rueful grin. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Now, let’s talk about this.”
“What? No more gifts, okay?”
He shook his head. “It’s for Remi.”
My mouth parted, the pieces coming together. “You found it?”
The day after her bracelet had been stolen, I’d called every single pawnshop in London and the surrounding towns looking for her bracelet. I hadn’t gotten a hit, but it hadn’t stopped me from checking in with them until I’d left London.
He stuffed it in my hands. “Dude. You left strict instructions for me to call every single day. I did. Hell, it gave me something to do with myself. One of the pawnshops called back yesterday. They even fixed the broken clasp. I should have told you, but I wanted to surprise you . . .” He paused. “You okay? You look funny.”
“No, I just know how