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“Not really, no offense,” Lexie said, trying to sound more apologetic than she felt. “I’m in need of some me time.”
“Is everything okay?” The genuine concern and ignorance in Leigh’s voice made it clear that, even if gossip was doing the rounds, it hadn’t reached her yet. Which was nice to know. Lexie kind of hated the idea that everyone had already heard about her meltdown last night.
“It will be. I’m just not feeling up to going out tonight.”
“Do you want company?”
“No,” Lexie said, hoping she didn’t sound too abrupt. “Thanks though. Go to your party and have fun. Flirt with some guys for me.”
Leigh giggled, a little hesitantly. “Maybe... I’m thinking about doing something like that.”
“Good for you.” She tried to sound as supportive as possible, because Leigh really did deserve to have some fun. It was nice to hear her sounding so positive about going to the party. “Call me tomorrow and tell me all about it, okay?”
“Sounds good. Have a good night, hun, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Hanging up the phone, Lexie couldn’t help but wonder if part of her motivation for staying in was the vain hope Patrick might end up on her doorstep sometime tonight. Although, she supposed if she was feeling particularly vindictive about his rejection and reasoning, the better move would be to go out and have a fantastic time tonight and never know if he showed up or not. But she just wasn’t feeling up for it. Plus, if he did come by... she didn’t want to be out dancing and chatting with other people.
She wanted to be here.
Patrick was every bit as miserable as Lexie could have wished, but, unlike her, he had company for his misery.
“I told you this was a bad idea,” Andrew said, his voice sounding foggy and kind of far away. Probably because his ass was firmly planted on Patrick’s back. “He never gets this drunk.”
“I’m not the one who brought the tequila.” That was Jared’s deep voice, sounding simultaneously amused and a bit resigned.
“Patrick.” Something sharp poked his temple. “Patrick, look at me.” Olivia’s no-nonsense tones pierced the muzziness in his head and he tried to focus his eyes on her. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, the wildness tamed, which seemed wrong. He liked it better when it was down. Laughter rang out around him. “Well thank you, sweetheart, I had no idea you liked my hair so much. Are you ready to get up now?”
He groaned. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“Get this fat ass off me and I’ll get up.”
“Ha, that’s pure muscle squashing you down, asshole,” Andrew said as he got up, watching Patrick rather warily. “Are you ready to admit you’re drunk and you shouldn’t be driving?”
“I must be drunk, or you wouldn’t have been able to get the drop on me,” Patrick grumbled as he pushed himself up to standing. He swayed slightly, the room spinning before it snapped back into focus.
“Back to the couch,” Olivia ordered, pointing like the little general she was. Definitely drunk, because Patrick didn’t even feel like ignoring her. It was just easier to let her have her way right now.
“Thanks for all the help,” Andrew said to Jared, who was still sitting in the comfortable armchair he’d occupied since arriving. The bigger man just grinned.
“Are you saying you needed help? Couldn’t take down one drunken dumbass on your own?”
Andrew flipped him off, flopping down next to Patrick on the couch while Olivia took the other armchair. The small living room of his condo felt a little crowded with all of them in there. He’d never felt the need for a whole lot of space, but with three big guys and Olivia, it did seem kind of confining. Or maybe that was just because he wanted to get out of it so bad, to go fix things with Lexie. They weren’t letting him. The fuckers.
He and Andrew took up nearly the entire couch, although one slim subbie could have fit in between them. For a moment he considered the idea of asking them to bring her to him. Nah. That was something he should handle on his own.
“I was just worried about hurting him,” Andrew retorted. “There’s not really enough space in here for a full on tackle, it would have been easier with an assist.”
“Don’t be such a pussy,” Patrick said with a snort.
“Don’t say pussy like it’s a bad thing,” Olivia said, with a glare. “My pussy can stretch to fit a baby and then push it out. Your dick doesn’t have shit on that.”
“Still need the balls to get the baby,” Andrew put his hand up for a high five, but Patrick ignored him. Fucker could get himself into trouble, Patrick wasn’t going to join him.
“I’ve got the biggest balls,” Olivia said, sipping from the rocks glass she was holding. Patrick realized he had no idea what she was drinking. Better not be his good scotch.
“I’ve never seen them before,” Andrew said, snorting his derision.
“Right here, fucker,” she said, gesturing at her boobs. “They had to be put on my chest to avoid chafing.”
