Page 9

My mood sours as I imagine the fortune it must’ve cost to rent this place for two nights. Matty, of course, booked two suites—one for us guys and an adjoining one for the girls. Being a linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals apparently means money is no object.

Meanwhile, Salem and I are just scraping by back home. The thought digs deeper when my phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it.

I’m so fucking sick of Pearl calling me.

“Cheer up, homie,” Christian says, smacking me on the arm. “Your best friend’s getting married in a week. We’re in Sin City for his bachelor party. Why you sulking?”

Best friend. Right.

“Just tired,” I mutter, rolling my suitcase into one of the large bedrooms to claim a bed. Six hours from Utah isn’t the longest road trip, but it felt twice as long with Arya talking nonstop. Girl gets under my skin.

Salem steps up beside me, resting her chin on my shoulder as her eyes drift to the flat screen mounted on the wall. “Gotta hand it to Matty. This place is really nice. Our room looks exactly the same.”

“Yeah.”

She’s quiet for a beat. “You okay?”

I glance at her, then pull away, heading back to the main area. “Peachy. Let’s go get drunk.”

Christian pumps a fist in the air, the tattoos on his forearm flexing. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! Strip club, here we come!”

“Did someone say strip club?”

We all turn to see Devon leaning against the doorway, arms crossed and a devilish smirk playing on his pierced lips.

Christian jolts like he’s seen a ghost, pointing an accusatory finger. “You’re not supposed to be here, cabrón.”

“I invited him,” I say, brushing dark strands from my face. My mohawk flops back into place, limp and sad.

Like me.

Christian’s brows shoot up. “Why? No offense, Dev, but Matty doesn’t even know you.”

Why, indeed? Maybe because I can’t face this shit alone and Devon’s a good buffer.

“Oh, I also brought a friend.” Devon reaches out of view and tugs someone into the room. “Well, my nephew. You all remember Logan?”

Shit. Son of a bitch.

Salem stiffens beside me as Logan, her ex-boyfriend, steps into the room, lifting his hand in an awkward wave. He looks as dorky as ever, standing in his khaki shorts and polo shirt. Next to Devon’s tattoos and piercings, it’s hard to believe they come from the same family tree.

What Salem ever saw in him, I’ll never understand.

“What the fuck, Dev?“ Salem hisses, turning to glare at me. “Did you two plan this?!”

I raise my palms in surrender. “Don’t look at me. I had no idea.”

Logan flushes bright red, rubbing the back of his neck while his uncle chuckles.

“It was Huckslee’s idea,” Devon grins, thoroughly enjoying the mayhem. “He said it’d be good to get Logan out of his apartment for a while.”

Salem’s eyes narrow, venom flashing in their depths. “I’m gonna kill him!“ She storms out of the room, shouldering Logan hard on her way past. “I’ll murder Huck and toss his body into Lake Mead like the mob!”

“Shit, you’ve done it now,” Christian mutters, hurrying after her with Arya close behind, leaving me alone with the Peterson boys.

Devon inspects his nails, looking as unbothered as ever by the shitstorm he just caused. “So, what happened between you two anyway?”

“We broke up amicably,” Logan sighs.