Page 239 of Bend

“Chill, I’m just checking quality.”

“You’ve checked the quality four times.”

“Consistency is important.”

Reign looks over from where he’s opening a beer beside her.

“You’ve been here twenty minutes and you’ve eaten enough for a full meal.”

“That sounds judgmental for somebody hosting taco night.”

“It’s not taco night. It’s our housewarming.”

I look around at the island covered in tortillas, meat, cheese, salsa, guac and chips.

“Feels pretty taco-night-ish.”

Lena laughs while Reign gives me the finger, and I steal another piece of chicken while he’s distracted.

Across the kitchen, Echo is perched on the counter with a margarita, one boot hooked around Thorne’s thigh while Draygon stands beside them stealing chips from her plate. She catches him taking another and smacks the back of his hand.

“Seriously?”

“You’ve got a full bowl.”

“It’s my bowl.”

Draygon looks down at the giant serving bowl in her lap.

“Pretty girl, that is literally for everyone.”

“Then everyone should’ve gotten here first.”

Thorne reaches over her shoulder, grabs a handful and immediately steps back before she can hit him too.

“See? Sharing.”

“You’re both fucking annoying.”

“Still love us though,” he says around a mouthful of chips.

Echo rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling.

Sayshen is by the speaker arguing with Talon because Talon keeps trying to skip songs halfway through, while Bex stands between them telling both of them to stop touching her phone. Nobody listens. Obviously.

Cece walks into the kitchen with an empty margarita glass, and my eyes go straight to her.

Every fucking time.

Black cutoffs with a cropped tank, and big gold hoops. Hair twisted up messy with a few strands loose around her face. She looks like trouble without even trying, which tracks, because half the time she opens her mouth I want to either laugh, kiss her, or piss her off just enough to make her eyes flash.

Usually all three.

She starts mixing another drink at the island, swaying a little with the music while she pours, and I watch her lick salt off her thumb before reaching for the lime.

My cock gives one very unhelpful twitch.

Yeah. Great.