Page 99 of Just for the Plot

But when she remains still, joy erupts through me because that means she hasn’t kissed Cougar.

“You’re not drinking?” she asks me.

“Nope,” I say. “Haven’t had the time. What about you?”

She shakes her head. “Sad day for me, no kisses.”

“And no dick tickles.” Gabby laughs.

“Dick tickles?” I ask.

“She’s right. No penis has been inside of me for a while. More sad news, I know.”

Clearing my throat, I say, “Not even with Cougar?”

“Dry as a bone,” Gabby announces. “But she’s going to try to make it work with him, right? Because there’s potential.”

And then Gabby just fucking pisses all over my joy.

“Are you?” I ask.

Bower shrugs. “You went through all that trouble to set things up for me, might as well give him another try. We might be getting to a place where things move along.”

Not what I wanted to hear.

“‘Might’ being a strong word,” Gabby says as Ryland kisses her neck. Jesus, slow down, dude. “She said when she’s near him, she feels nothing, as if she’s broken inside.”

“Okay, okay,” Bower says, waving her hand at Gabby. “We don’t need to talk about my lack of sex life or the fact that my ability to be aroused has fallen off the face of the earth. Back to the questions.” She turns to me and says, “Never have I ever come in my pants.”

I roll my eyes and take a sip of my drink as Gabby says, “Ewwwwww.”

“Oh please,” I shoot back. “As if you’ve never.”

“I haven’t.” Gabby tilts her chin high in indignation.

“Bullshit,” Ryland says. “All those times I fingered—”

“For the love of God, we’re done,” I say, ending this godforsaken game. I down the rest of my drink and then let out a deep breath. “I have to get to bed or else I’m not going to be able to play tomorrow.”

“Why, will you be in trouble?” Bower cutely asks.

I shake my head. “No, just can’t function when I’m extremely hungover.”

“This coming from the guy who doesn’t have an ounce of a hangover the next day,” Bower says.

“That’s what being twenty-four will do to you,” Ryland says andfinishes his beer as well. “We need to go anyway.” He wraps his arm around Gabby and whispers something into her ear that makes her giggle.

Fucking gross.

I pull my phone out and order up the car. I turn to Bower and ask, “Want to catch a ride with me?”

“Obviously.”

“Good, he’s right around the corner.” I stand and then help Bower out before giving Gabby and Ryland a hug goodbye. They need some time alone.

Because the bar is so crowded, I take Bower’s hand and weave her through hordes of people, not stopping when I’m noticed, but keep moving forward until we’re outside and my driver pulls around just at the right time. I open the door for her, let her in, and then follow in behind.

“That was very quick,” she says, surprised.