After the Ex Games (The Ex Games #4)(9)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“He’s a sicko.” She nodded. “I didn’t get the sense he wanted her though, but what do I know? I thought he was hooking up with Patsy.”

“That doesn’t mean much.” I shrugged.

“Don’t remind me please.” Her eyes filled with jealousy.

“Remind you of what?”

“That you had sex with Patsy.”

“It meant nothing.” I ran my hands through my hair. “It was a mistake.”

“She loves you, you know.”

“No, she doesn’t.”

“I can see it in her eyes. I bet she’s the one who sent the death threat and I bet it was addressed to me, wasn’t it?” She frowned. “That bitch wants to kill me for sharing your bed.”

“Meg.” I reached out to touch her, and she looked at me angrily.

“Let’s just go. I don’t even want to think about her anymore. This is probably her plan. She wants me out of the way so she can seduce you.”

“Meg, I’m not interested in Patsy. You’re the only one I want in my bed.”

“Uh huh.”

“You don’t believe me?” I stared into her eyes, concerned that I was already losing her trust.

“I just don’t know if you’re really the sort of guy who can be faithful. You’ve never been in a relationship before.”

“Oh, Meg.” I pulled her to me and chuckled softly. “Is that what you’re worried about?” I stroked the back of her hair and kissed her passionately. “That is something you never have to worry about. I could never cheat on you. Would never cheat on you. I can barely believe that I’m so lucky that I got you.”

“Greyson, you could have any woman you want.”

“But there’s only one woman for me. You’re the only one I want with all my heart and soul. You’re the one who lights me on fire.”

“Not literally, I hope.” She giggled. “‘Cause that sounds like an STD problem.”

“What?” I frowned and then laughed. “No, I’m not burning up down there.”

“Well I’m glad to hear that.”

I held her close to me. “Are you ready to go now?”

She looked around the room and nodded, and we walked out of the room. I felt like this was the beginning of the end. A part of me felt like everything was about to come crashing down and neither Brandon nor I knew what to do about it.

***

“You girls go and make the popcorn and we’ll get the movie ready,” Brandon called after Meg and Katie and then turned to me with a frown. “Did you give the note and bullet to the private detective you hired?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and spoke softly. “I hired him yesterday as soon as I got off the phone with you.”

Brandon looked angry. “Do you think she plans to hurt us?”

“I don’t know. We don’t really know who’s behind all of this.”

“I think it’s pretty obvious.” He paced back and forth. “I’m sure David is the one dictating everything.”

“He hates us.” I nodded and sighed. “I never knew if it was a good idea to keep him at the club.”

“Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” Brandon’s eyes pierced into mine. “At least you were able to track him.”

“I just wasn’t counting on her.” I bit my lip and looked towards the door to make sure Meg and Katie weren’t on the way back in. “She’s made everything so much more complicated.”

“You had to know David would see how you reacted,” Brandon sighed.

“I tried to be neutral.” I closed my eyes. “I only went to the room once, I think.”

“One time too many.”

“I know.” I wanted to bang my fist into the wall. “Now we’re all targets.”

“I wish I’d been there.” Brandon sounded wistful.

“I know.” We stared at each other for a few seconds, and I knew that both of us were thinking about how far we’d come since those days in high school.

“What movie did you boys choose then?” Katie raised an eyebrow at Brandon as she walked into the room. “And don’t tell me cartoons. Harry’s gone to my parents for two weeks and I’m taking the opportunity to ban all talking animals from the TV.”

“C’mon, Katie. Don’t you want to watch Frozen?” Brandon grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards him. “It just won an Oscar.”

“I don’t care what it won. No animated movies.”

“I’m voting against romance as well,” I said, and Katie and Meg glared at me. “I mean, I have enough romance in my life. I don’t need it in a movie.” I gave Meg a huge grin and she rolled her eyes.

“Whatever, Greyson.” She shook her head. “You’re lucky we’re staying with friends or I would—”

“What?” I whispered against her lips. “What would you do?”

“You wish.” She tried to pull back from me, but I held her close to me.

“Oh, I more than wish.” My hands found her ass and squeezed. “I want.”

“Greyson.” She slapped my hand away and pulled back. “What are you doing?” she hissed and looked at Brandon and Katie, who were laughing at us.

“Nothing.”

“You better keep it that way.” She blushed, but I could see a hint of a smile on her face.

Brandon listed off the names of some movies. “Okay, we have three movie choices: The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Identity Thief with that girl from Bridesmaids—don’t ask me how I know she was in Bridesmaids—and The Expendables.”

“I told you, no cartoons,” Katie groaned.

“The Expendables is not a cartoon. It stars Sylvester Stallone,” Brandon corrected her and she laughed.

“Do you think that’s any better?” Katie grinned at Meg. “Meg, please tell my fiancé that there is no way in hell we are watching a Rocky movie.”

“The Expendables isn’t…” Brandon started and then shook his head and smiled at me. “I think we should let the lovely ladies decide, don’t you?”

“Sounds good to me.” I grinned.

“Should we go and get ourselves a nightcap?”

“You got whiskey?”

“I’ve only got a bottle of Chivas Regal, twenty-five years old.”