phone in horror for a solid five minutes before burying it beneath my mattress.
It goes off again, but I spare myself the misery.
I try to go to sleep, but sleep never comes. All night long I think of a thorough and complete bodily invasion.
I can’t seem to get Rex Toberman out of my head.
I don’t seem to want to.
Rex
Saturday night at the Black Bear lends its own unique energy to life, but a Saturday night at the Black Bear in the middle of June is a bit thinner and sparser than it is the rest of the year. Seeing that the Black Bear caters to a trifecta of universities in the area, most people went home or simply away for the summer. It’s still plenty busy, plenty of bodies bustling—scantily clad bodies, which is understandable since we’re embroiled in a hellish heat wave at the moment. I spot Jet and Owen near the back. Piper’s brother, Cade, is with them. He’s managing the bar for the summer as a part of his work-study program. His girlfriend, Cassidy, is waitressing here, so it’s a sweet setup for him. Any minute I’m expecting to see Owen’s girlfriend pop up with her friends. Scarlett happens to be one of them, and I know for a fact she’ll be here because Owen mentioned something about a bachelor-bachelorette party taking place tonight. Piper’s brothers are both getting married soon, and tonight’s the last night of unabashed freedom for all involved.
“Dude.” Owen slaps me five as I take a seat and nod over to Jet. “You ready to let loose?”
“I’m already loose.” I grin over at Cade. “Rumor has it you’re the best man to both grooms. You ready for the big day?”
He grimaces. Cade and Piper share the same dark hair, same features. In some ways, they look more like twins than Knox and Trixie. “All I have to do is stand there. It’s going to be a short and sweet ceremony at the overlook. The reception is right here at the bar. They’re closing off the back.”
“Cool. So, what’s on the agenda for tonight? You and the boys headed to Jepson? Owen can give you a tour of the red-light district.” I offer an obnoxious grin. Owen used to take his clothes off in order to earn a living, and none of us have ever judged him for it. We’ve razzed him about it, but we get the fact the guy needed to do whatever he could to survive. Thankfully, he’s got a decent job at a marketing firm owned by Piper’s brother, Wyatt, and his buddies.
“Nope.” Cade frowns at the bar. “My brothers have decided to lay low. We’re having a round of drinks, shooting some pool. Blake’s band is on in a couple of hours, and that’s how we’ll end the night.”
Cassidy pops up behind him. “That’s not how I’m ending my night.” She presses a kiss to his ear. “And neither are you, sugar.” Not sure why Cassidy and Cade hid their relationship for so long. Owen mentioned it had something to do with the scar Cassidy has on the side of her face. He said it made her insecure, that she didn’t think someone like Cade would ever want anything serious with her, and that broke my heart. Cassidy is one of the nicest girls I know. I’m glad it worked out for them.
Piper and her friends pop up as expected—the blonde, Daisy, and Scarlett.
My dick twitches in my boxers, the first to acknowledge my soon-to-be stepsister, and that goofy grin I wore a second ago diminishes.
“What’s up?” I offer her a private nod, and she rolls her eyes. For the life of me, I can’t seem to read this beautiful redhead. It’s as if just because our parents are dating, any kind of friendship, any kind of civility is strictly off limits. I know she’s hurting. And I’m also aware of the fact she doesn’t know me well enough to hate me, although hate is a strong word—strongly dislike covers it.
“We’re leaving for greener pastures.” Piper strangles Owen with a hug until he stands, and before I know it, each one of us is on our feet.
“Where to?” Cade looks to Cassidy with a playful look of suspicion.
“The girls and I thought we’d take the brides-to-be and show them a real good time. Someplace dark and loud, and very, very sexy.” She wiggles her hips when she says it.
Owen groans, “Do people traditionally keep their clothes on at sexy