most likely don’t need to see that douche ever again. He’ll be an irritating memory, nothing more.
In a few weeks, I’ll have my bachelors finished, ready to take summer break, and then start the masters program at my college. My life is moving forward in a positive direction; letting some drunk man-ho rattle me isn’t my style.
After all the crap that happened to Della, she made me swear not to be like her. To not give up my virginity to someone unworthy just because he has a gorgeous smile and a way with words.
I can only imagine how many people have fallen for Jax. Maybe he keeps trophies from all of his victims, the way a serial killer does. The serial man-slut. The thought makes me laugh and flinch at the same time. Whatever. He’s not my concern. He can do whatever he wants, so long as I’m not impacted by it.
I’m going to go to bed—tomorrow’s the big day, and I need to look my best.
Jax
Fuck.
My head is throbbing like a train smashed into my face at a hundred miles an hour. I groan and roll away from the bright light streaming in through the hotel room window. Fumble for my phone to see what time it is.
Well, at least I didn’t oversleep. I have time to get my shit together, shower, shave, and take about a hundred ibuprofen before meeting my brothers for a late lunch pre-ceremony. I sit up, the sheet falling down to my waist, and realize the bed is empty. Just as well—Patty or Patsy or Pinky or whatever her name is had to go do pampering girl shit with Aubrey this morning to prepare for the wedding.
I stand and stretch. Yawn. Grab a handful of pills and down them with water from the sink. Scratch my ass and turn on the shower, then hop in. Fuck yeah, the hot water beating down on me feels amazing and helps restore some of my humanity.
After soaping up and scrubbing most of the hangover away, I set about making myself look presentable. Shave and dress and run my fingers through my hair. I glance at my phone. Only running five minutes behind—that’s good for me. Smith will be proud.
I laugh and slip into my shoes, then click the door closed behind me. No sign of anyone else in the hall, including…what was her name? The brown-haired chick with the hostile green eyes. Brooklyn.
Something about her spurred me into wanting to tease her, prod her, see how she would react. She screams virgin, from her uptight stance to her shock at seeing me in just my jeans last night. I can’t really bust her balls too much though—to be fair, she did take over decorating the car, a task I find on the same entertainment level as going to the dentist or renewing my driver’s license.
No thanks.
I head to the hotel restaurant and see my two brothers in the corner, leaning toward each other and talking. Smith’s tension practically radiates off him, and Asher is trying to calm him down.
I meander over and grab a seat across them, plopping in the chair. “’Sup, bitches.”
Smith gives a deliberate slow look to his phone and says, “Thanks for showing up, wanker. It’s only the most important day of my life. No big deal.”
I roll my eyes. “When did you become so dramatic?” When Smith opens his mouth to say something no doubt hostile, I laugh and say, “Kidding, kidding. I know how important today is for you. I promise I’m not going to fuck it up.”
The waitress comes over, an older woman with a tight bun and stress lines around her eyes. She looks at me. “What can I get ya?”
I give her a crooked grin. “Coffee, as strong as you can make it, if you don’t mind. I have no regrets…except some of the shit I did last night.”
That draws a small chuckle out of her. She shakes her head. “You look like you need at least two coffees, sweetness. Coming right up.”
I clutch my heart and dramatically say, “I’m wounded.”
When she walks away, her step is a little lighter.
“Is there literally no one you will not flirt with?” Asher asks.
I wink at him. “Everyone wants to feel beautiful for a moment. I feel like I was put on earth to help women with that.”
“Your arrogance is astounding,” Smith says in a droll tone. “I don’t know why this shit surprises me by now.” He sips his own coffee