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“Then tell him to fuck off. Simple as that.”
“Yeah. Sure. Simple.”
After that, he’s silent for the remainder of the ride until we finally pull into the drive of Topher’s house. The front yard is lined with vehicles everywhere, but I find a spot to park finally. There’s already a bonfire going in the back field, providing the main source of light.
Ryder gives me a concerned look. “I’d ask if that was your work, but you were with me.”
“Ha-ha, jackass. I prefer to leave more of an impression with my displays.”
He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything, because I really don’t want to hear this. The less incriminating info I have, the better.”
“Agreed.”
He bails out of my car, and I follow behind as we walk around to the back side of the house. The patio is packed with drunken morons, and the pool is even more crowded. From the turnout, I’d say Topher invited every person within driving distance and maybe a few more. Speaking of the party host, I see him stumbling over, looking a bit more wasted than usual.
“Morgan, my girl!” He pulls me into a hug and places a slobbery kiss on my forehead. Immediately, I push at his damp skin to get him away from me.
“What the fuck, Topher?” I wipe my palms against my jean shorts as the intoxicated and clueless fool places a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you so much for talking Crawford into staying on the team.”
“I didn’t. I wanted him to quit.” That wipes the goofy smile off his face as his expression morphs into shock.
He anxiously looks around. “You did what?”
“Don’t worry. He didn’t go for it. Your precious QB isn’t going anywhere yet.”
Topher sways a bit, staring towards the bonfire before making his best attempt to focus on me. “Don’t do anything crazy.” He holds up his hands. “I know that’s asking a lot, but I promised him and Neil everything would be good.” Topher points to where Neil and Savannah are standing just beyond the patio, awkward as fuck.
But if Neil is here, that means his bodyguard is too. “Where’s Cade?”
Topher gives me an uneasy look and remains closed lip for once.
“Oh, come on. Your bitch boy is safe. Besides, how much damage can I really do when he’s so determined to stay away from me?”
Topher slaps his hand against his face as he brushes off some water dripping from his hair. “Ultimate damage. So that really does not make me feel better. Just leave Neil out of it. Crawford can handle his own.”
We’ll see. “Agreed. Where is the almighty guardian?”
Topher gives me a pleading look, but he already knows it’s pointless as he motions towards the fire. “He was over there last time I saw him.”
I give him a triumphant smile before grabbing a drink and heading towards the fire.
I hear Topher still shouting, “Seriously. Behave, King.”
What a fucking pipe dream. And Topher knows it, which is why I’m guessing he continues yelling behind me as I make my way through the crowd. Neil notices me before Savannah does but neither break from their awkward-as-fuck conversation while I search around. I know he’s nearby. If bug boy is here, dipshit isn’t far away.
Yep. He is. Predictable. That’s for sure. Because I spot him a few yards back, sitting alone about halfway up the levee. But not for long. I carefully make my way up the incline as he avoids looking my way. The flame of the fire gives off enough light for me to make out his grumpy mug.
“I’d ask if this seat is taken, but even if it was, I’d still sit.” So I do, dropping beside him in the grass. “You know there’re better places to hide out.”
“I’m not hiding.” He finally meets my eyes. “If I was, you wouldn’t find me.”
I take a drink of beer and look out over the field. People are everywhere—dancing, having fun, acting carefree, falling down drunk—while music blares in the background. “Hm. Sounds like a challenge.” I shove one hand against the ground, stand, then dust off my shorts. “Bet you can’t find me.”
Cade doesn’t get up and keeps his face turned away from me. “Bet I won’t try.”
“Is that so?” I take a few steps backwards towards the top of the levee. “You’d leave me all alone in the dark to fend for myself?”
“You’re more of a threat than anything out there.”
