Page 52 of Wright Kind of Trouble

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to care and coming up lacking.

Ashleigh had been trying to push all of her friends on me since I’d taken over the company. Apparently, I was a charity case now.

Then, I returned my attention to my sister. “You didn’t mention Wrights.”

“Jesus, Chase, they own the town. Just assume they’ll be here.”

“Do you want to get a drink?” Layla asked.

“Layla is a speech language pathologist professor, Chase,” Ashleigh said, nudging me.

“That’s nice. I’m not drinking tonight.”

“What?” Ashleigh asked in confusion. “Whyever not?”

“I want to be able to drive home.” I nodded my head at Layla. “If you’ll excuse me.”

Then, I walked across the room to avoid my sister and her latest hope for me. Layla might be a delight. A speech language pathologist sounded lovely. But if it was a setup from my sister, I wasn’t interested.

I wandered the room, shaking hands with business partners and steering clear of Wrights. I made eye contact with Morgan Wright, the current CEO of Wright Construction, long enough to know that I wasn’t wanted and moved on. The night was getting late by the time the rest of the attendees were beginning to appear intoxicated. Enough so that I was second-guessing whether or not I should have had a drink this whole time.

Or just gone home.

I should do another circuit of the room, schmooze with the other business owners and all of that good networking bullshit.

But it was Harley’s birthday.

And I hadn’t heard from her in hours.

I was sure she was having a good time, drinking herself sick. That was what college students were supposed to do. And they didn’t need someone ten years older worrying about them.

“Fuck,” I grumbled. “I should just go home.”

I left and headed to my car when my phone went off. I checked the message and saw a picture of Harley holding up a shot of some clear liquid.

take a bday shot w me

What number are you on?

lost count

sharpie marks on arm are blurry

Sharpie marks? Were they marking the number of drinks on her body?

or maybe seeing double ???

Great.

Do you need me to pick you up?

that’s not what I need from u

What do you need from me?

come find out

The text was followed by a picture of her cherry-red lips making a kissy face. Then a follow-up of the bar name where she was currently located. A bar that was a mere two minutes from my current location.

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