AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You guys want to go to a party later tonight? I just got a text from Shane,” he asks, walking back into the room.
“Why not,” Angie replies. “Probably going to be the last one where I don’t look like a total whale.”
“Shane’s firm has rented a cabin. Should be fun, Acie, wanna come?” he asks.
“Okay.” I smile. I head back home with Angie, then spend the next hour hanging out and getting ready. When we get downstairs, there is a car waiting to take us to the party.
“This is going to be fun,” she says, stepping into the big black SUV and giving Layne a kiss.
The car stops at one of the biggest chalets I’ve ever been to. The driveway and parking lot to the right are filled with fancy cars. Girls wearing beautiful dresses step out of their Ubers, and I feel I’m highly underdressed wearing my vintage black leather pants, which used to be too wide but fit me perfectly now.
Shane opens the enormous front door. “Hey, gang,” he says, hugging us. He gives us a little tour of the place. The house is already packed, and Layne and Angie start up a conversation with a couple they know. I follow Shane while he makes his rounds, and there is even a guy from his work he seems to like.
“How’ve you been?” Shane asks when we’re alone again.
“Doing okay,” I mumble. “That Nick guy sure is cute,” I say, nudging him in his arm.
He smiles, placing his hand on the small of my back. “I know, right?”
Before I can ask more, someone taps his shoulder and starts talking lawyer with him. That’s my cue to head over to the bar. “Hi, can I—” I ask, but close my mouth when the waiter turns his attention to a couple of other girls. I brush my long hair back and take a deep breath.
Someone embraces me from behind. “Hey, Ace,” a familiar voice says.
“Gibb,” I yell. Turning around, I hug him tight. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Whenever there’s a party in town, I’m down,” he says, laughing. “My brother is walking around here somewhere as well.”
“What do you mean? Is Jesse back?” I ask, my stomach doing a little backflip.
“Yeah.” He flashes me an awkward half smile. “Didn’t he tell you?” he asks, looking around.
“No, he didn’t,” I murmur.
The blonde who always seemed to hang around Jesse says, “Hey babe,” kissing his cheek, giving me a tight smile.
“Ace, this is my girlfriend, Jennifer,” Gibb says, sounding proud.
“Hi,” she answers, her voice small.
“Hey,” I reply, and she whispers something in his ear.
“If you’ll excuse us.” He bows and gets dragged along by her. “There is a closet that we need to inspect.”
I grin and watch them leave.
Someone bumps into my side. “What do we have to do here to get a drink?” Shane asks.
I smile, looking up into his eyes. “I think a change of outfit,” I joke.
He looks me over from head to toe and raises his brows.
“You enjoying your party?” I ask.
He flashes me a small smile. “Not really. The company asked me to host it because we have so many athletes on our roster. How long have we been going to shindigs like this?”
“We’ve known each other for fifteen years, so a lot,” I tell him.
“Hasn’t been that long, has it?” Shane smiles.
