I raise a brow. She’s got to be kidding me.

“Hurt him?” A laugh flies out of my mouth. “You know he’s not actually into her, right? They’re just using each other.”

Sawyer does that little nervous shuffle with her feet. “I have no idea how he feels about her. All I know is sneaking behind his back is wrong. He deserves to know—”

“Who deserves to know what?” Oakley interjects as he waltzes inside like he owns the place.

Given he’s renting the guesthouse and all…I guess he sort of does.

I glare at Sawyer, warning her to keep her trap shut.

My friend tries to clear the anxiety out of her throat but fails as she gestures to the envelope in her hand.

“I booked a spa day for me and Bianca for her birthday…but the only appointment I could get us was during Cole’s first game next season.” She looks at me accusingly as she shoves the envelope in my hand. “Bianca thinks I should lie and make him think I went and left early, but I told her that lying to people you care about isn’t cool.”

With that, she scampers off.

I have to stifle another laugh. There’s a reason my brother’s nickname for her is Bible Thumper. Not only does she regularly attend church—because she actually enjoys it—she’s one of the most generous, caring people on the planet.

With the exception of her stint with Adderall a little over a year ago, lying isn’t something you’ll catch her doing.

But I can’t worry about her conflicted feelings right now, because he’s standing right in front of me.

Eyes as blue as the ocean, dark blond hair that hangs just above his ears, well-defined cheekbones, perfect chiseled jaw, and a full bottom lip just begging to be nibbled on—he is utter perfection.

“Hi—”

“Have you seen Morgan?”

If I was anyone else, he’d have a conversation with me and Morgan would be the furthest thing from his mind.

But shit’s different between us now.

All because I caught feelings after a kiss that was never meant for me.

And the only thing he caught was the need to distance himself from me like I was poison.

“She’s in the bathroom.”

Wiping my pussy juice off her mouth.

An awkward silence descends until the bathroom door opens and Morgan comes bouncing out.

“Bathroom’s all yours, bitch,” she seethes, knocking her shoulder against mine.

I stick out my foot as she walks past me, relishing when she trips on her way to Oakley.

“I don’t need it. I was in there before you, remember?”

Morgan blinks, clearly caught off guard before she recovers. “Whatever.”

Rising on her tiptoes, she folds her arms around Oakley’s neck and plants a kiss on his lips. “What are we doing tonight?”

“Not sure.” He pulls her in for another kiss and I can’t help but notice the side-eye he gives me as he leans in. Like he’s intentionally trying to hurt me. “But I want more of these lips.” Reaching down, he grabs a handful of her ass. “You taste good, boo.”

I bet she does.

Smirking, I hold his gaze. “On second thought, maybe I should go fix my makeup since I never got a chance to...given I was getting my pussy licked and all.”

Morgan goes rigid.

Confusion spreads across Oakley’s face.

My smirk widens as I back into the bathroom and slam the door.

Mission accomplished.

Needless to say, things are the epitome of awkward after that.

Well, for Oakley and Morgan.

I’m happier than a pig in shit because I’m positive Oakley’s going to dump her ass before the night is over.

Happy Birthday indeed.

All smiles, I trot over to the grill and take a big bite of my veggie burger.

I wasn’t always a vegetarian, but ten years ago Liam decided he wanted to become vegan because his bleeding heart grew tired of people killing and eating animals.

The vegan stage didn’t last long though—the boy loved milk and cheese too much—but he pledged to stop eating meat altogether.

Jace and Cole would rather cut off their left arms than give up steaks and burgers, but I had no problem joining him in solidarity.

Because he was my big brother.

My favorite person in the world.

Given he’s dead, I suppose I could eat whatever I want, but breaking my promise to him feels wrong.

Absentmindedly, I reach for my St. Christopher pendant and the feather I wear on a necklace, but a familiar voice zaps me out of my thoughts.

“Happy birthday, beautiful!” Hayley cheerfully yells as she and some guy walk through the gate into my back yard.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Oakley tense up. Good.

Hayley is Oakley’s ex-girlfriend. Only unlike Morgan who was a mega cunt to me back in the day, Hayley’s actually a sweetheart.

Something tells me Oakley will always look at her as the proverbial one who got away.

Which makes her an even bigger threat than Morgan, and I need to keep her far away.

It’s just one of the reasons why I’ve taken her under my wing and have her believing we’re besties.

Besties who hook up every now and then.

Because the more she wants me…the less she wants Oakley.

And the more I corrupt her…the more dirt I’ll have on her.

Dirt that will hurt him.

I smack a quick kiss on Hayley’s cheek. “Hey.”

My eyes flick over to the guy standing next to her. He’s average height. Medium build. Dark eyes and hair. Not bad looking by any means, but far from my type.

However, he’ll do.

“Who’s your friend?”

She gives me a knowing smile. “Zack.”

“Hey,” he says. “Hayley’s told me a lot about you.”

Has she now?

Zack holds out his hand, but I dismiss it. “Good things I hope.”

He licks his lips, appraising me from head to toe. “Very good things.”

Yeah, the three of us are definitely going to have some fun tonight.

I’m about to take Zack’s hand, but Jace beats me to it.

He shakes it so hard he practically rips Zack’s limb off. “I’m her older brother.”

As if on cue, Cole slaps Zack’s back. Hard.

“So am I.”

Annoyance bubbles in my chest. Fucking vultures.

Wincing, Zack nods. “Hi. I’m…” His voice trails off.

“My new boyfriend,” Hayley cuts in, coming to his rescue.

Jace and Cole exchange a glance.

“Then I suggest you keep those eyeballs on your girl instead of my baby sister, pal,” Jace growls before turning back to the grill.

“Unless you want to lose said eyeballs,” Cole threatens before taking a ferocious bite of his burger.

Poor Zack looks like he’s about to shit himself. Pussy.

“All right, dial the testosterone down, boys,” Sawyer jokes, sidling up to her fiancé.

“Don’t mind them,” Dylan adds as she playfully swats Jace’s behind and kisses his shoulder blade. “They’re grumpy when they’re hungry.”

The anger in Jace’s eyes is quickly replaced by lust. Gross.

Sawyer plates two burgers and hands them to Hayley and Zack. “Here. They’re really good.”