Page 80 of The Keeper

“The one we just signed? Yeah. No need to poke me over it.”

He grabbed my elbow and led me to one of the couches near the wall. “You are fully aware that’s not what I mean. He walked right out of the Victoria Chase Handbook for Men. Also, he looks a little too much like Maxim. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I folded my arms and attempted to glare at him but my expression came off more as a confession than a scolding. “I don’t have the hots for Max. And I’m not his type, so you don’t have to worry.”

“But that guy is your type times infinity.”

“Okay, fine. Yes, that’s the wide receiver. Happy now?”

“I knew it.” The smug look on his face irked me. The last thing I needed or wanted was a lecture on my sex life. “Does anyone else know?”

“No. And I’d like to keep it that way so shut your face.”

“I just don’t want to see you go down the rabbit hole of—“

“It. Was. One. Time.” My voice rose in frustration. “Six months ago. This is the first time I’ve seen him since.”

Maxim curled his arms around me from behind. Great. A tag team.

“We just want what’s best for you. I consider you family, too.”

I sighed. “I know what you’re both doing and I love you to pieces but it’s not an issue. Really. If we’re laying all the cards on the table, he was the last person I was with before—“

I couldn’t bring myself to say his name. If I did, I’d break apart in front of all these people. What were they serving at the open bar anyway?

Killian touched my cheek. He looked at me softly, tilted his head and said in a gentle tone, “At least you can find comfort in B-O-B again.”

“You’re an ass,” I laughed.

“Wait,” Maxim let me go and looked at both of us. “Who’s Bob?”

His confusion only made me laugh harder. Killian laughed himself into a coughing fit. Poor Max sat down and waited for us to collect ourselves.

“It’s not a who. It’s a battery operated boyfriend. B-O-B,” I explained. “You know, a vibrator.”

“You two should have your own YouTube channel,” Max chuckled, shaking his head. “Does this conclude the latest chapter of as the world spins through the days of my life?”

“Yes,” Killian and I declared in unison.

We went back to the party and didn’t mention boyfriends, battery operated or otherwise, again.

This was exactly the night I needed. After a couple hours, word spread that some players and other party-goers planned to continue the festivities at The Estate, one of New York City’s most exclusive clubs.

Not one to turn down an invitation, I joined them without a second thought, along with Maxim and Killian.

If the amount of people lined up in front of the club was any indication, the crowd inside promised to be huge. We were all escorted to the second level.

The VIP area circled above the main floor and was already prepped for our arrival. Bottles topped every table and the private bar was open.

“Baby girl, we need to do this more often,” Killian exclaimed over the music. “I feel like I’m in my twenties again, only without all the self-loathing and insecurities.”

The three of us went over to the bar where Maxim promptly ordered a round of shots. Top shelf tequila shots, no less. And he ordered six of them.

The bartender lined the shots up in front of us, along with salt and limes. We all grabbed one.

Maxim lifted his glass and started the toast, “Here’s to you, here’s to me.”

“Best friends we’ll ever be,” Killian joined in.

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