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Jesus Christ. “It doesn’t fucking have one, Sutton!” I swear, I may weep a little. “Never mind.” I punch Bluetooth, which I should’ve done in the first damn place, but I thought my co-pilot could manage and I could concentrate on hauling ass. Fuck that plan. “Call Brynny.”

I honk twice as we fly past the house, my aunt and uncle still there for some reason, but no time for goodbyes, and grip the wheel harder when there’s still no answer on the fourth ring.

“Dammit!” I disconnect, then stab the button again. “Call Sky.”

Thatbrat picks up right away. “We’re noring shu. Like it?” Hmmm, wonder if she’s drunk.

“Put Brynn on the phone!” I yell.

“She left. Bye!” She hangs up on me.

“Okay Sutton, I can’t driveandrun interference. Gonna need you on your game, buddy,” I seethe, doing well past the speed limit.Uncle Tate. I tap my brakes, bringing it down by ten miles-per-hour. “Push the home button on my phone; there’s no code,” I explain as calmly as possible. “Now, much like your phone, you know,the exact same model you got at the store with me when I bought mine? Yeah, go to the contacts and call Judd on speaker, please.”

“‘Bout to beat your ass,” he warns, hopefullywhilecorrectly working the goddamn phone.

“Sounds great, looking forward to it. Right after you get Judd on the phone!” Losing it—my shit—just about gone.

“Hello?”Finally, a coherent voice filling my car.

“Judd, about your wife…” I start.

“On it. Brynn just called me on her way home. She’d had enough. I’m going to get Sky now. Want me to stay ‘til you get there?”

“Not sure, assess and call me back. I’m about twenty minutes out at the most.”

“10-4,” he says and hangs up.

“Why don’t you just call Bellamy?” Sutton asks. “Or I could call Presley.”

“Bellamy’s been texting me in hieroglyphics; she’s soused. And if Bellamy’s soused, that means Presley’s hangin’ naked from a chandelier by now. How much accurate information you think we’ll get from those two?”

“Shit, I can’t put Presley on the back of my bike in nude chandelier swingin’ condition.”

“Judd can take her home.”

“The fuck he will. I’ll take care of mine.”

Just what I need, compounding problems. “Sutton,” I heave a sigh, ‘cause he really is a good guy, “Presley isn’t yours, man. Nor will she ever be. I don’t want any details, but whatever happened last night, it was probably just that,one night. Not saying she’s…promiscuous, because truthfully,” I laugh, “she’s the exact opposite, from what I’ve heard. The world’s wildest, biggest tease. And she gets boredveryeasily. And you? Talking ‘boutmine? Where’d my man-whore buddy go?”

“Yeah, okay,” his voice loses some oomph as he rubs his head. “I’m not getting all deep and shit, but, I’mnotbored. Far from it. So, I’m taking care of her. At least for tonight. Got it?”

“Whatever you say, man. I’m actually rootin’ for ya. Against her,andmy Uncle Sawyer.”

Poor bastard doesn’t stand a chance.

 

 

“YOU DIDN’T CALLme back, prick.” I push past Judd when he opens Bellamy’s door.

“Eat a dick. Been a lil’ fucking busy. Come see for yourself.”

“If that’s J with a J, T,him, throw him away! I mean out. Throw him out, Jed!” my baby yells from the back and I hold in my laugh.

“You Jed?” I askJudd.

“It would seem,” he shakes his head. “And I think you’re J with a J, T, if I was a guessing man. You got it from here? I’m taking my wife home and putting her to bed, in the spare room. Tequila makes her snore like a lumberjack with a severe upper respiratory infection.”

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