Page 68 of Spurred On

Claire and Charlie exchanged a glance like an old married couple who had to exchange freaking glances before they answered a freaking question. Honestly. What was it that happened to people when they hooked up? Was it some kind of Vulcan mind meld? Did half their brain disappear?

“A couple months,” Charlie said.

“A couple months.” Sidney fixed Claire with a frown. “Did you lose my number?”

Claire flushed. “I did not.”

“We’ve . . . been busy,” Charlie said with a too-wide grin.

“Besides, you never called to tell me you were dating.”

Well, there was that.

“I think it’s awesome,” Ben said, effectively shattering the awkwardness. “We’re all dating. And blissfully happy.” His grin at her was positively wicked.

“Blissfully happy,” she repeated. She couldn’t help glancing at Cody. His expression was dark. A muscle bunched in his cheek. A thrill shot through her. She told it to shut up. “Shall we go in?” she asked Ben and was relieved when he smiled and led her toward the party room. But her anxiety didn’t ease, because she felt Cody’s scowl following her.

“Relax,” Ben whispered. “This is supposed to be fun.”

“Is it?”

He chuckled. “Yes.”

And she did have fun. A lot more fun once she had a couple of drinks in her.

She knew and loved almost everyone in the room, and they were an entertaining crowd. Everyone was excited and delighted to be here. The energy was uplifting.

She was able to thrust Cody from her mind as she caught up with old friends and danced with almost every man there.

Every man but Cody. Cody barely looked at her, especially when she was with Ben.

For his part, Ben didn’t stick to her side like glue, which she appreciated, because it gave her the freedom to mingle and chat, but he did check in on her frequently. He was, literally, the perfect man.

Her gaze drifted from Ben to Cody, who’d claimed the microphone and was calling Hanna and Logan up onstage. Her heart flipped at the sight of him, which was annoying. She tried to ignore it.

Also annoying was the fact that Hanna had insisted on a lap dance at this party, and Logan was about to perform it.

“Brother.” She dropped down at Porsche’s side with a huff. “I can’t believe they’re actually doing that in front of everyone.”

Porsche shot her a smirk. “Your dad seems to be enjoying it.”

Sidney grimaced as she saw her father whooping and hollering and tossing dollar bills onto the stage. “Doesn’t make it any less disturbing.”

“Yeah. I guess.” Porsche sighed. “It’ll be over soon.”

“One can hope.”

“Hey, you two,” Amy said as she sidled into the chair next to Porsche with two glasses. Apparently Amy was a two-fisted drinker.

“What are you drinking?” Porsche asked.

“Tequila.” She thrust out the cup. “Want some?”

“How much do you have in there?”

Seriously.Two full glasses of tequila.

Amy shrugged. “There was a long line at the bar. I figured I should plan ahead.” She set another tumbler on the tabletop in front of Porsche. “I brought one for you too.”