“You’re a dick,” Jesse shouts across the clubhouse, happy for once I’m copping it and not him.

“Yeah, says the biggest dick of all.” I flip him off.

“I know I have a big dick, thanks.” His laughter can be heard all the way outside as I follow Kelly.

Jesus, I’m losing my touch. I fucking walked right into that one.

Fifteen

Mackenzie

“Please, tell me this did not actually happen?” I laugh at Kadence’s reaction as Holly relays a story involving Nix, Valentine’s Day and Viagra.

“Oh, it happened,” Kadence answers, laughing just as hard as the rest of us.

It’s a Friday evening, five nights after my tense encounter with Beau where he told me he wanted me as much as I wanted him but wouldn’t act on it.

I had planned on having a quiet night in until Beau was called into work, and he didn’t want to leave me alone, so I told him I would call Kelly over to keep me company. She showed up with alcohol, Kadence, Holly, and Bell, turning my quiet night into a girls’ night.

“So what did you do?” I take another sip of my drink, my third for the night, and I sit back in the chair I now call my own. I know it’s not really mine, but I’ve claimed it as my own whenever I sit down to watch TV or read a book, it’s the comfiest spot.

“We had to go to the ER. It was so embarrassing. Everyone knew.” Kadence giggles, hiding her face in her hands.

“I can’t even imagine.” I laugh along with them, picturing it all play out.

“Enough about us. We want some gossip on you.” Kelly leans forward and tops up her cocktail.

“What? I don’t have any gossip.” A warm blush creeps up my neck and four sets of eyes fall on me.

“Girl, you’re hot gossip at the moment. Don’t leave us hanging,” Kadence encourages, and I almost feel disappointed I have nothing to gossip about with them.

“I swear, I have nothing.” I shrug, those four sets of eyes, fading from excitement to suspicion.

There is no way I can tell them what has or rather hasn’t happened between Beau and me.

“You mean to tell me, you’ve been living under this roof, living in your own bubble with no interruptions, no nosey club members to cramp your style and you have nothing to share?”

“Believe me, if I had something to share, I would.” I let out a huff at my own displeasure.

Ever since that night when Beau told me what he wanted to do to me, then told me we can’t, he has been reserved, keeping to himself and staying clear of me. It’s been tense and somewhat awkward, but I’m trying to put it behind me with hopes maybe things might change.

“So you do like him. I knew it!” Holly stands to raise her glass.

“Sit down, fool. We all knew she liked him.” Kadence rolls her eyes and turns back to me.

“So what’s the issue? He’s too moody?”

I laugh at her question only to find them all staring back at me blankly. “Beau is not moody. He’s just composed,” I defend him, watching as each of them share a look.

“Girl, the man is so moody, some days I wonder if he’s PMSing on the same cycle as me,” Kadence fires, and I can’t help but laugh along with them.

“He’s not that bad.” I shrug, not seeing Beau the way they do. He’s direct and quiet, but moody? No.

“We have bets to see how many words he can say sometimes. I think the most I’ve ever heard in one night was fifteen. Fifteen, Kenz. Fifteen.” Kelly shakes her head, disturbed by the number.

“He talks to me,” I offer, hoping to show them he’s not the moody asshole they seem to think he is.

“Yeah, ‘cause he likes you, probably wants to tie you up and spank you.” Bell’s hand slaps over her mouth just as fast as the words leave her lips.

Oh, God, did everyone know about Beau and his wants but me?

“What. Do. You. Know?” Kadence turns to face the younger woman, whose eyes are practically falling out of her head.

“Oh, God. No, nothing. I know nothing.” She shakes her head, denying it as much as a kid caught with his hand in the candy jar would.

“Bullshit. Don’t you dare hold out on us,” Kelly pushes this time.

“I can’t say. I wasn’t meant to say. Oh, I’m gonna be in so much trouble.” Bell starts rocking.

The thought of her knowing something she isn’t supposed to doesn’t sit well with me. A spark of jealousy settles in me. What does she know?

“Well, the cat’s out of the bag now. Just spill,” Kelly adds, just as eager to know.

“Shit, guys.” Bell stands and starts pacing.

“If it’s bad, you shouldn’t say.” I try to pull the conversation back, not wanting to know.

“It’s not bad, bad. Just, I was sworn to secrecy. And now I’ve gone and blabbed.”

“What if we guess?” Kadence asks, offering her a way out of her guilt.

“Yeah, okay. If you guess correctly, I’ll just nod, that way I’m not actually telling anything.” I nearly laugh at how serious Bell’s taking this.

“Let me guess. Beau is the kinky fuck who tied Lissy up, spanked the fuck out of her ass while we were in Vegas.” I spit my drink at Holly’s guess and watch all color drain from Bell’s face.

Lissy? Oh, my God. This is worse. He’s had sex with Lissy. Is he still having sex with her? Is that why he doesn’t want more from me?