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“It’s not far from here, actually.”
I listen as she gives me general directions before pulling out of the lot. “You lived here long?” I ask.
“No. The girls and I just moved here about three months ago. Carla’s parents own the firm we work for. They’ve been planning to expand for a while, so when we all graduated, that’s what they did. The three of us had instant jobs right out of college.”
“That’s a pretty sweet deal.”
“We were lucky, that’s for sure.”
The cab of the truck grows silent. I’m pre-occupied with what I just agreed to and Stephanie . . . well, I’m not sure what’s going through her head right now.
“Second house on the right,” she instructs, breaking the silence.
Pulling into the drive, I put the truck in park but don’t kill the engine.
“Thank you.” She reaches for the door.
Shit! I need to get with the fucking program here.
“Stephanie.” I reach out and grab her arm. “Can I see you again?” My voice is soft; I don’t want to make her think I’m some kind of fucking creeper.
“Yeah, uh, sure.”
“Hand me your phone, darlin.”
She hesitates before pulling it out of her purse and handing it to me. I quickly type in my number and send a text to myself. This act alone is against every rule I’ve ever had. I don’t get involved—too much drama, too much . . . of the same.
I hand her phone back and smirk when mine sounds, alerting me to the message I just sent. Stephanie nods, then opens the truck door and hops out. I quickly do the same and follow her up to the door. I should be trying to seal the deal here, but fuck me, I can’t not tonight. I need to wrap my fucking head around what I just agreed to. This has to be my stupidest agreement to one of our bets yet.
As she clears the final step to the front porch, I know time is running out. I have to say something, but she beats me to the punch.
“You want to come in?”
Do I? Of course I do. She’s a looker. In my mind, I quickly try to play out the next three months. Maybe if I keep her as a casual hookup, I can pull this off. No strings. Fuck, worst-case scenario, I’m out four hundred bucks. That’s not the part that bothers me, though. It’s the bragging rights, and to not have to hear the ribbing of my boys over the next twenty years—or at least until another bet, better than this one comes along.
“Lead the way, darlin.’”
Chapter 2
Ridge
Turns out, Stephanie was good with the ‘friends with benefits’ plan. She claims that her job keeps her busy and she doesn’t have time for anything more serious, so we agreed to hook up when we both had the urge and the time, no expectations. She also insisted that we not sleep with anyone else during that time. I’m good with that.
It’s been two months today that we met. We hook up about once a week, and so far it’s working out great. I see my pocket being four hundred dollars richer very soon. The guys could not have chosen a better girl; she’s just as detached as I am. Plus, the sex is good, so it’s a win-win.
“You in for cards tonight?” Kent asks.
“Tonight’s my night with Steph,” I tell him.
“Oh, yeah, your girlfriend. She got you on a leash, brother?” Tyler chimes in.
“Fuck off. No leash, we’ve both been busy this week. This is our only night to get together.” I need some relief, but I don’t tell them that. Why fuel the fire?
“Bring her with you,” Mark suggests.
“Maybe,” I say, not committing. I’m running through my mind how to make it work. We need to grab dinner, spend a few hours with the guys, and still find time to rumple the sheets.
“What’s it been—five, six weeks? She’s already got you by the balls.” Seth laughs.
“Eight. Laugh it up, boys, but I know my night is ending with getting my dick wet. Can you say the same?” I smirk.
“Ridge, come on, man. It’s card night. Just bring her,” Kent says, exasperated.
Card night has been our tradition for the last few years. We take turns having it at each other’s house, bring snacks and beer and just chill. Missing is not something any of us has ever done without a family emergency, and certainly not for a hookup/bet.
“Fine, we’ll be there. Now get back to work.”
I pull into Stephanie’s driveway right at six o’clock. I rushed home from work, grabbed a quick shower, and headed straight here.
“Hey,” she says, opening the door.
“Darlin.’” I lean in and kiss her. “You all set?”
“Yep.” She grabs her purse and keys and we’re out the door. “How’s your week been?”
“Busy, as usual. Finishing up the Allen job tomorrow, I hope. Just tying up some loose ends. Yours?”
She goes on to tell me about her day, and I listen as I drive us to the store.
“Uh, what are we doing here?”
“Card night. I need to pick up some snacks. I hadn’t planned on going, but the guys guilted me into it. I’ll be right back.” I quickly hop out of my truck and make my way inside. I grab some chips, salsa, and one of those meat and crackers trays before heading to the checkout counter. Total of five minutes and I’m back in the truck.
“Card night?” she asks, once we’re back on the road.
Her arms are crossed over her chest, so I can tell she’s not impressed. I should feel bad or something, right? So why is it that I don’t? “Yeah, it’s something we do once a month. Have been for years,” I explain.
“And you picked tonight of all nights for us to get together?”
“I told you, I wasn’t going to go, but they convinced me today. What’s the big deal? We’ll stop at Kent’s, play a few hands, eat some pizza and snacks, and then be on our way.” I reach over and grab her hand. “Then we’ll see what we can do to relieve the stress of your week.” I wink.
She’s not impressed. “Ridge,” she whines.
What the hell? This is new. I’ve not seen this side of her. Of course, it’s usually just the two of us grabbing dinner and burning up the sheets. I’ve been able to avoid being out with her friends or mine until now. This is a not her normal behavior.
“Do you want me to take you back home?” I’m not dealing with the whining. If she wants to fuck, she has to endure card night. Simple as that.
“Ugh! Fine, but I don’t want to stay long.”
I grip the steering wheel tightly. I’ve never had a chick tell me what to do. Of course, I’m never around long enough for that to happen either. She’s delusional if she thinks that just because she’s the only one I’m fucking right now she can dictate what I do.
Not happening, darlin.’
Pulling into Kent’s driveway, I grab the bag of snacks and wait at the front of my truck for Stephanie. I’m not a total dick. Knocking once on the door, I walk in since it’s an open invitation at all of our places. We’re family.
“Hey, hey!” I call out. A chorus of the same greets us as we walk into the kitchen.
“Stephanie, right?” Mark asks.
She looks surprised that he remembers. “Yeah.”
“Welcome. You play poker?” Kent greets.
Fucker, he knows she doesn’t. I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“No.”
The look on her face is priceless. She looks as though we just asked her to sleep with all five of us or something. That’s something else that I’ve begun to notice about her. She’s Miss Prim and Proper, never taking time to just relax—that is, of course, unless we are in the bedroom. All other times, she’s so uptight. She needs to learn to let loose every now and then; life is too damn short to be so serious all the time.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We can show you,” Seth says, throwing his arm over her shoulder.
She looks to me—for what, I don’t know. “I’m good,” she says, shrugging off his arm.
“Suit yourself. We all set?” I ask.
“Yep,” Tyler confirms, grabbing a bowl of chips and setting it on the table.
“Pull up a chair, or the living room is through there if you want to watch TV,” I tell her. Her mouth falls open. What did she expect? I’m not going to coddle her. She’s not my girlfriend, and frankly, I don’t like this side of her.
She rolls her eyes and stomps off toward the living room.
“Whose deal?” I take my seat at the table.
“Trouble in paradise?” Mark asks.
“Paradise? You know the score, brother. Deal em.’” We spend the next two hours playing cards, eating, and shooting the shit. It’s not until I hear Stephanie clear her throat that I remember I brought her. Shit!
“Are you ready?” she asks. Her arms are crossed over her chest and she’s tapping her foot, a scowl on her face.
So it was a dick move to forget she was here, but come on. She chose to separate herself from us. Looking at the time, I see it’s going on nine. “Yeah. This is the last hand.”
She looks irritated that I don’t just stand and leave, but we’re in the middle of a hand. It plays out quickly, with Seth raking in the winnings.
“We’re out,” I say, standing and stretching. “See you ladies in the morning.” I look over at Stephanie. “Ready?”
