I adjust a strap on my bathing suit and say, “I didn’t want you to think I was some desperate girl who followed you to the desert, especially after the night we shared.” I whisper the last part of that sentence.
“Isn’t that it? Couldn’t go another day without seeing me so now you’re playing cool?” I’m caught off guard for a second before he grins at me.
Playfully, I swat his stomach. “You ass, I thought you were serious for a second.”
He chuckles. “So that’s not it?”
“No.” I fold my arms over my chest. “God, I’m not pathetic. Leah, my friend, got me a job as a makeup artist for the variety show she works on. It was a huge opportunity I couldn’t refuse. It just happened to be in the same city you live in.”
“Seems suspicious.” He scratches his jaw.
“Shut up.” I push him, but he doesn’t move an inch, because he’s a solid piece of rock in sinful board shorts. “And what are you doing here? This adult pool party doesn’t seem like your type of fun.”
Tilting his head back, he scans the area. Drinks are poured, people in skimpy bathing suits dance, and there are some questionable things going on in the pool between what I’m hoping are couples, or soon to be one-night stands. When he turns back to me, he shakes my head. “So not my scene, but Rowdy begged me to come.”
Begged me to come.
God, I remember when I was practically begging him to come, his cock driving in and out of me. The thought warms my cheeks, sending a wave of heat up my spine.
“Well, you’re a good friend.” My voice sounds slightly strained from how dry my throat has suddenly become.
“If I didn’t at least make an appearance, I wouldn’t have heard the end of it, so here I am.”
“It’s good for you. Plus, you got to see me, so that’s a plus.”
“It is.” He licks his lips and nods toward the couch. “Want to sit?”
“Sure.” I snag a water for both of us and take a seat next to Colby, making sure to position my body so it’s in the most flattering position.
Once we’re settled, Colby asks, “So were you ever going to let me know you lived here?”
“Maybe, but not right away. I’m actually kind of surprised.”
“Surprised at what?” He takes a gulp from his water and I watch, fascinated, as his throat works the water down into his stomach.
“Uh, Stryder said he was going to call you to let you know I was here, but I made him promise not to call you. I really wanted to do this on my own.”
“He was going to call and didn’t? The fucker.”
“Don’t blame him. I threatened him.”
“Doesn’t matter. We look out for our own, and he should have told me.”
Our own. For some reason, that makes me really happy, especially since the only two people I’ve ever called my own are in Colorado; my dad and Rory.
Playfully I push his knee. “Are you saying I’m part of your squad, Colby?”
“Maybe.” He slouches in the chair, legs spread wide, hands relaxed in his lap. The difference of Colby now than when I first met him is like night and day. When he was at the Air Force Academy, he was toned and muscular, but now, years later, time has done him well.
There is a rugged air about him, a more masculine vibe, like he’s been to hell and back and survived.
Maybe he has. I have no clue how many deployments he’s had or what he’s really done in that airplane, but I know he’s different, a little more relaxed. He’s not as guarded and seems willing to open up quicker than when he was going out with Rory.
Is he more relaxed because he’s finally flying? Doing what he’s always wanted to do?
Now I’m here in Vegas, ready to start my new journey, I can feel how much more relaxed I am, on some things. I’ve always been outgoing and ready for the next greatest adventure, but instead of carrying around this overwhelming pressure to do more, I can ease up just a little.
“Who’s your friend?” the big guy I think named Balboa asks, coming into our cabana, his boys following close behind, besides the one named Bent who is lounging in the cabana next door.
“Yeah, what’s her name?” Colt, I think, asks.
Glancing up, clutching his water, Colby speaks with finality in his voice. “No.”
“No, what?” Balboa asks. “Need I remind you who you’re dating?”
Colby is dating someone? Interesting. According to Rory, who heard from Stryder, Colby hasn’t dated anyone since they were together, so this is a surprise. I wonder who the lucky girl is.
An exasperated sigh leaves Colby before he shifts and smooths his board shorts down. “This is Ryan, my friend from Colorado. She’s off limits.”
“Why?” Colt asks, giving me a once-over, his Texan drawl intriguing.
“Yeah, why?” I add playfully.
Acting casual, but stern, he takes a sip of his water and points to the guys. “They’re players, and you’re not the playing type. Not on my watch.”
And with those words of protection, my heart relaxes in my chest, and the arid, dry, hot-as-hell weather of Las Vegas starts to feel like home.
* * *
Colby wasn’t kidding when he said I was off limits. Any time one of his friends tried to talk to me, he would budge in right away and keep a watchful eye. It has gotten to the point now where Colby just sticks to my side, never letting me be alone with any of the guys.
Are they really that much of players that Colby can’t let me have a simple conversation with them?
From the way they’re flirting mercifully with Leah’s friends, I’m going to guess yes.
Two women sit on Balboa’s legs in their strappy and incredibly skimpy bathing suits, each of his hands circling around their narrow waists, their boobs thrust forward, perfect for his viewing pleasure. Colt is hanging out with a brunette wearing a lime-green bathing suit that does nothing to hide her incredibly hard nipples. Hello, areola. Rowdy is chatting it up with Colby and me while Bent seems to be observing our little crowd.
The entertainer for sure, Rowdy has to be the life of the party, making sure everyone’s drinks are full and having a good time. Our cabanas have converged, and now we’re having one giant cabana party, which I don’t mind since the girls here don’t seem to want to talk to me. That’s fine. I’ll stick with Colby.
“Shot?” Rowdy asks, holding out a tray to me.
“Always,” I answer, taking a blue one and downing it in one quick tilt of my head.
Rowdy nods his head in appreciation and offers the tray to Colby who shakes his head no. “What, you’re not going to keep up with your girl?”
“I drove here, and I’m sure I’ll be driving you idiots home, so I’m good.”
I grab another shot and hand it to Colby. “It’s called Uber. Live a little, Colby.”
He eyes the liquid substance, contemplating his intake. I nudge it toward his lips. A low growl comes out of him when he takes the shot glass from me. “Last time I did shots with you, we got in trouble.”
“Oh?” Rowdy’s eyes widen as he takes another shot. “What kind of trouble?”
“Yeah, what kind of trouble?” Bent asks. He’s the silent guy who’s been sitting in the corner observing. Apparently he’s the squadron leader; that’s what I’ve been told, at least.
“None of your business,” Colby shoots back and then downs the shot, wincing from the flavor. “Fuck, that was nasty. What was that?”
“Razz-a-ma-tazz shot. Didn’t like it?”
Wiping his mouth with his big paw, Colby says, “Tasted like cleaning supplies. Don’t offer me another one of those.”
There is a little knock against the wood of the cabana. Standing just outside the space is a petite, fair woman with platinum-blonde hair tied in French braids, wearing a white, flowy maxi dress and cute cat-eye sunglasses.
“Sage.” Colby stands immediately and walks to her where he pulls her into a hug, his large body easily eclipsing her tiny one. His large hand falls to the small of her
back as he places a light kiss on the top of her head and brings her forward.
This must be the girl he’s dating.
She’s . . . God, she looks like an angel—gorgeous and pristine.
I suck in my bottom lip, wishing I wasn’t wearing this barely there bathing suit. I don’t mind showing skin, but as Sage walks closer, I can feel my inner self picking apart every piece of my outfit and how I look in it. I think I need to grab my cover-up.
The boys welcome Sage as I stand just in time for her to take me all in.
“Sage, this is Ryan, my friend from Colorado.”
With a polite smile, she lends out her hand. I take it in mine as she says, “Ryan, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Her voice matches her demeanor—sweet and angelic.
“Sage, nice to meet you.” Colby has his hand protectively around her waist, his eyes cast down, a small smile ticking at the corner of his lips.
Huh.
It’s weird seeing Colby with someone else. I get it, I know we had sex; but that was only two people feeling in the moment. This is different. Colby likes this girl and the only other time I’ve seen him show this side of him was when he was with Rory, so it feels . . . weird.
The only way to describe it.
“I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” Colby says as they take a seat. I quickly snatch my cover-up out of my bag and throw it on, grateful for the coverage.
I take a seat next to Colby but at quite a distance now, not wanting to make Sage uncomfortable.
Hand on her knee, body tilted in her direction, Colby listens intently as she speaks. “I finished my baking early. I think it helped that Rowdy and Rocky weren’t home.”
“Don’t worry”—Rowdy winks—“I’ll be home soon, and I’ll be sure to taste test for you.”
“Touch my cookies and you’re dead,” Sage cutely threatens, pointing her finger at Rowdy. She might be small, but it sure as hell seems like she could pack a punch.
“What are you baking for?” I ask, my legs crossed and trying to focus, even though I can feel the alcohol starting to flow deep.
“The elementary school on base is having a bake sale and one of the girls I work with asked if I would help make four hundred cookies.”
“Four hundred cookies? Are you insane?”
She laughs, and Colby squeezes her knee. “Yeah, I might have been, but it’s for a good cause, and I love baking so I didn’t mind helping out. I’m just glad I was able to get my half done and come hang out. Although, I missed the mark on the bathing suit. I was in such a rush to get out of the house, I completely forgot.”
“No one has stepped foot in the pool,” Colby says, pulling her in even closer. She snuggles into his side, smiling at him with brilliantly white teeth.
Where the hell did he find this girl? She looks so perfect.
Unlike me, she’s soft and feminine. She’s an angel to my devil, reminding me of the Mother of Dragons in Game of Thrones.
Brining her attention back to me, Sage asks, “How do you know Colby?”
Awkward.
Skipping right over the part about how WELL I know Colby, I answer, “He dated my best friend for a bit before he went off to flight school. His best friend is now married to my best friend.”
“Oh . . . really?”
I nod and wave off her concern. “It’s cool, they’re all good now. For a bit there though, whew, who knew if Colby was going to get over it.” I wince, realizing what I’m saying. “Uh, you can thank the shots on that last comment. Sorry.”
She chuckles. “No problem.” She blinks a few times and presses her finger under her eye. “Ugh, I never wear contacts but thought sunglasses would be better to wear today. Is there a bathroom around here?”
My body voluntarily stands as I say, “I’ll take you. I have to go to the bathroom anyway.”
“Oh, that would be awesome. Thank you.”
Colby stands with her, helping her up like the freaking gallant knight that he is, and then asks, “Want me to order you a drink or any food?”
“Do they have sliders? I’ve been craving some.”
Is this girl for real? Sliders? What I wouldn’t give to eat something like that right now. I’m starving. But every time I look at food, I’m reminded of the outfit I’m wearing and think otherwise.
“I think so. Buffalo sliders. I’m assuming that’s good. And a Sprite?”
“Perfect.” She squeezes his hand and takes off with me. I keep my eyes focused on the ground, placing one foot in front of the other, trying not to show just how much alcohol I’ve consumed, even though I told myself I wouldn’t. I guess I’m drinking my calories today.
Once we make our way out of the busy pool area toward the bathrooms, I ask, “So how long have you and Colby been dating?”
“Not very long,” she answers, steadying me when I veer off course for a second. “We’ve been on a few dates. We talk almost every day though. Obviously only when he’s able to.”
“Is texting and flying against the law?”
She laughs. “Pretty sure he could lose his job if he did that.”
“Makes sense. How did you guys meet?”
I catch the smile that lights up her face from the question. Oh God, it’s going to be a cute story, isn’t it? I prepare myself to swoon, because if anything, I am a romantic, always looking for my very own meet cute and someone to love me . . .
Let’s not go there.
“In the commissary actually. He ran his cart into me causing me to drop a watermelon. We talked for a little bit but then went on our own ways. The next day, I was looking through our mail and realized we had some of our neighbor’s mail a few houses down. It was Colby’s.”
“Seriously? You guys live that close?”
“I live with my brother, Rocky, or as the guys call him Balboa, and Rowdy.”
I still, the marble hallway we’re standing in echoing my voice. “You live with two fighter pilots?”
She nods and continues down the hall, taking my arm with her. I thought I was the one showing her where the bathroom is. “It has its moments, but most of the time, I’m dodging girls that are constantly coming over. Not so much fun.”
“Ugh, that’s annoying.” I think about it for a second. “Wait, your brother brings girls home?”
“Yeah, he’s the worst actually. Rowdy not so much. He’s a little more reserved.”
That makes me laugh. “Rowdy is so not reserved. Before you got to the cabana he was flinging one of the girl’s shirts around his head and flossing it between his legs.”
“Really?” She stands aghast. “Oh my God, I would have loved to see that. That’s so crazy; he is kind of quiet at the house.”
I shrug. “Maybe he’s winding down. Doesn’t flying take a lot out of them?” I’m just throwing stuff out there; I really don’t know anything.
“No, that’s something I remember when Rocky started flying. He had a really hard time unwinding afterwards, sometimes it was almost like he was a zombie when he got home. It was startling. He’s better now.”
We reach the bathroom, thankfully it isn’t crowded, but there are just enough people where I’m not peeing alone with Sage having to listen to everything I’m doing. Like the sound of me struggling to take my bathing suit off. It’s so freaking tight.
It takes me longer than I wish to go to the bathroom, and when I exit the stall, Sage is sitting in a chair off toward the entrance waiting for me. I smile politely, wash my hands, and walk to her while drying them off.
“Sorry it took so long. This bathing suit is a maze. It’s hard to find where everything goes.”
“It looks really complicated, but it’s pretty.”
I know she doesn’t mean that. She seems like a really nice girl, someone who has never truly insulted another human being to their face, so there is no way she would tell me my bathing suit was built for hookers.
But I have no problem saying it.
“Pretty not so much. Sl
utty? Now we’re talking.”
“No, not slutty . . . it’s . . . it shows off your confidence.”
That makes me laugh. “You’re sweet, Sage.”
* * *
“You really didn’t have to take me home,” I say to Colby and Sage who are sitting right next to each other in Colby’s truck, holding hands, and looking like a picture-perfect couple. God, they are so sweet together.
Seriously, that’s the only word I can come up with: sweet. He’s the doting boyfriend who’s always checking on her, making sure she’s well fed and hydrated, and she’s sneaking kisses here and there, holding his hand, and allowing him to fawn all over her.
It was sickening to watch, but I also couldn’t tear my eyes off them. Not because I’m jealous. I don’t have feelings like that for Colby, despite our history, but because I want what they have so desperately. I can’t remember the last time I had a guy in my life who wanted to hold my hand whenever I was close to him, or a guy who would instinctively push a stray lock of hair behind my ear because he didn’t want anything distracting him from taking in my face. Now it’s right in front of me again, it makes me think of Rory and Stryder. Just another couple who found their very own happily ever after.
Watching Colby with Sage reinforces how lonely I really am. And I know I came out here to improve my career, to take the next step forward, but now I’m here, about to start my job, I can’t help but realize how empty my life is without someone to share it with. And I think deep down, I had expected Colby to be one of those friends I could occasionally hang with when we were both bored. Not for sex, but just a friend I genuinely liked. And now, that was doubtful.
Ugh, single lady problems.
Rowdy sobered up toward the end of the night and took Sage’s car so he could give the rest of the guys a lift home, while Colby and Sage were stuck with me. I almost feel like the annoying little sister whose brother had to take home while with his date. Rather pathetic, really. But Leah met up with Tyler a few hours ago and never returned. I shot her a text to make sure she was okay, and she sent me a picture back of Tyler sleeping on a pillow, his torso completely naked.
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