He’s still sound asleep when I sneak out of my room, dressed a little sassily, in heels, and wearing my boldest red lipstick.
25
JASE
My cell is ringing and buzzing from my jeans. I turn over, burying my face in the bedding, pulling that incredible scent into my body, relaxing into the cloud I’m in. The noise and buzzing sensation immediately starts up right after stopping, so I pry my eyes open and haul the phone out of my pocket.
Joel.
I answer. “Yeah?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m in Bailey’s bed.”
“But Bailey’s not with you,” Joel says.
“Rub it in, why don’t ya?” I mutter but realize the bathroom door is open so she finally got out of the tub.
“What’s up?” I jackknife up, nose twitching.
“I’m lookin’ at your mate on the dance floor at Roxy’s. Was guessing you didn’t know.”
I’m on my feet now. “Fuck! Tell me she’s not eating dinner with that beta!”
“She’s… havin’ a dance party.”
“Who with?”
“Anyone she can get on the dance floor. Her mother, Mase’s mom, Erica and two of her sisters, my cousin, plus a few other females including your youngest sister.”
“The fuck?”
“She skipped her way in here announcing she was havin’ a dance party. She took control of the jukebox and the music? Sensing a theme. A…pissed off at Jasetheme.”
“Fuck.”
“She’s tanked, brother. And it could’ve gotten rowdy in here if Cade hadn’t decided to wait.”
“For?”
“You. He’s holdin’ off opening up the patio. More than a few males here and with all these females dancing, there’s a vibe.”
Shit.
“Why are you callin’ me just now?”
He laughs. “Why is it I need to call you at all?”
Though I don’t see the humor, he’s right. I shouldn’t have let my guard down.
“Haven’t slept more than a couple hours a night since before Rome. Crashed by mistake while she was in the tub and clearly she gave me the slip. Be right there.”
“There’s more.”
“I’ll walk and talk. Give it to me.”
“Before you get here and blow your top… she was tryin’ to get some betas on the dance floor with all the females, Jase. Claiming she didn’t wanna slow dance and get them in shit, that she never meant to get Malachi Carswell on your shitlist, but that everyone could fast dance together and it’d be all right.”