“I knew you were an idiot, but I didn’t think you had a death wish!” Quinn says behind me as we finally come to a stop.
“What the hell?” I ask, pulling my arm away from Luke’s grip.Not that I have to pull very hard. He’s already letting me go.
“Sorry,” he says, tipping his head at me with a sheepish grimace. He raises his thumbs at both Hailey and Quinn. “They decided I’d be more inconspicuous than the big man.”
Hailey, Quinn, and Brody are glaring at Liam and me. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that they want answers to the blaring questions that we’ve raised by coming in together.
“Neither of us have a death wish,” Liam states calmly with a chuckle. He slings an arm around my shoulders, but it’s far more friendly than intimate. “Jordan and I are dating.”
“I told you Vegas would make him crazy,” Hailey says, throwing her hands up. “He’s gone off the deep end.”
“Bullshit,” Brody grumbles.
Quinn nods her agreement. “No way you guys pull this shit at Nate’s wedding. I know you both look to get a rise out of him, but this would be low. Brody’s right. Bullshit. What’s really going on?”
I can feel Liam ready to take a step forward to challenge the question—ready to get a rise out of everyone—but I step forward, out from under his arm, before he has a chance. Glancing quickly over my shoulder to make sure the coast is clear of anyone who may overhear, I turn back to them.
“Fake dating, and it’s not to get a rise out of Nate. It was Nate’s idea to protect me from the vultures that are my aunts.”
All three of their faces relax as a collective wave of “Oh’s” goes around. Except for Luke. Luke is standing to the side of Liam, laughing.
Luke throws an arm around Liam’s neck, pulling him down to give him a playful noogie on the top of his head. “I frickin told y’all nothing was happening.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Liam protests, wrestling against Luke. “Watch the hair, Pookie!”
“Shave it and you won’t have that problem,” Luke laughs one final time before releasing Liam from his hold.
Liam scoffs, running a hand over the side of his head before brushing his hands down the front of his shirt. “And look like a hairless chihuahua like you when you first started? Hell no. I’m good.”
Luke barks deeply a couple times. It sounds far more like a rottweiler than a chihuahua, and gains a giggle from Hailey as her arms wrap around her man.
“Seriously, though? This was Nate’s idea?” Quinn asks, narrowing her eyes at the two of us before zeroing in on Liam. “He pickedyoufor this job? When he could have picked Brody?”
“What makes you think I’m not the right guy for the job?” Liam frowns, crossing his arms over his chest.
Quinn points at his crotch. That’s it. She just points and blinks.
Inhaling deeply, he lets it out in a loud huff of exasperation. “I can control my dick.”
Everyone bursts into laughter. Even Brody turns his head and chuckles outwardly. Given Liam’s reputation he definitely deserves the ribbing, but with his arms crossed over his chest and the way he won’t meet anyone’s eyes, I have the sense that, for maybe the first time ever, Liam is embarrassed to be known for the way he acts.
“Everyone settle down,” I say, gesturing with my hands to calm down before I grab onto one of his bulky biceps. “I trust Liam, and that includes his dick.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell them that nothing was going to happen with Liam’s cock, but that would be a flat out lie, and I’d rather keep those to a minimum.
“He and I thank you for that,” Liam says appreciatively, unfolding his arms. I can feel the tension start to melt from him.
“Okay, wait, wait,” Quinn says waving a hand in the air, sobering at the sudden thought that’s occurred to her. “You’re telling me that you’re going to go to a wedding in Vegas where you’re surrounded by hot women, and you’re going to go back to your room without one?”
It pulls everyone back into the conversation, curiosity piqued.
“You guys act like I need to fuck someone every night,” Liam says with a shake of his head.
In all honesty, ithasbeen every night this week…
“We know you don’t,” Hailey pipes up. “But all we’ve heard for weeks is how you want to gamble, drink, and fuck this whole trip.”
Liam nods affirmatively. “And I did. All week. But now it’s the weekend and it’s Nate’s time. He needs me.”
