Page 97 of Unforgettable

The friends that never fought were constantly bickering, and at first, I thought it was because of me. But I was beginning to believe that it had more to do with them.

My plan was to shatter all their walls. The start of which had been my unexpected blow job in the back of Josh’s truck.

You know, sometimes the best things in life are unexpected—orgasms being some of the best.

And whether phase one of my plan had been a success, I still wasn’t sure. But that night, with the wind howling and the storm threatening to push Texas into a deeper winter than we’d ever experienced, seemed like the best night to initiate phase two.

TWENTY-NINE

Amanda

“I thinkour next movie needs to be something fast-paced. Something with action and drama,” Reed said, trying to feign that he wasn’t interested in the romance that was nearly over. But I’d caught him once or twice trying to slyly wipe at his eyes or shake the emotions off.

“You can say that you like the movie, Reed. It won’t hurt your fragile masculinity tolikethe movie.”

He pinched my side and gave me an unamused look. “Idolike the movie, babe. But I also like action. Sue me.”

I shrugged and glanced at Josh, who was grinning at us both. “I guess I’ll allow it.”

As the final credits began to roll, Reed pulled out his phone and sighed. I leaned over his shoulder and watched Collin’s name scroll across the screen.

“Sorry, I have to take this.”

I nodded and tried not to look too excited that the perfect opportunity had finally presented itself.

“Go ahead. Josh and I are going to grab more blankets. I think there’s some in my closet.” Quickly, I leaped from the floor and reached for Josh’s hand. The two of them shared a confused look as Reed answered the phone, brushing it off to tend to whatever Collin needed.

“I thought we already grabbed everything you had,” Josh argued as I tugged him down the hallway.

Standing in the middle of my room, which had stayed rather clean, much to my surprise, I could still hear the low murmur of Reed’s voice. When I turned back to Josh, his wide blue-green eyes were cautious and slowly appraising my disheveled state.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?”

“We’re not getting pillows or blankets.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Yeah, I got that much, but it doesn’t answer my question.”

I took a step closer to him, closing the short distance between us with two sure strides. With my front pressed up against the hard planes of his chest and stomach, a warmth settled in my lower stomach. As my hands found purchase on his shoulders, he reflexively gripped my waist, steadying me on my toes.

Pressed up onto my toes, there were still a few inches of height difference, but I’d managed to close the gap enough that I could ghost my lips over his. Teasing the possibility of a kiss by letting my breath linger over his parted lips for a short moment.

I pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. “Do you trust me?”

His nod was instant, and his answer of “Yes” was rough.

“I think,” I began, tightening my grip on his shoulders, “we need to do something to relieve the tension between the three of us.”

Watching for any change in his expression, and not finding one, I continued, “And I think that we”—I motioned between us—“can do just that.”

There was a slight furrow in his brow as he pondered my proposal carefully. It wasn’t the entirety of my plan, but it was the first step I needed him to get on board with.

When he didn’t try to interrupt me or tell me to fuck off, I took that as silent agreement.

“You remember the other night in the truck?” At that, he tensed under my hands, but I pushed on, hoping the other details would relieve some of his hesitance. “I want to do that again, but with you. I want Reed to walk in here and see me with you. Or at least, that’s how I want it to start. I think it will push him to open up. I think it’ll be good for all of us.”

He was still visibly tense, and I tried to appear calm and patient as he thought. But internally, I was hoping he’d hurry because any moment Reed could walk into the room and it wouldn’t work. I prayed Collin was a talker.

Ever so slowly, Josh nodded, and I sighed in relief. “Okay, but I need to ask. Is this—” He cleared his throat, and anxiety replaced the arousal in my stomach. “Are you using me to get Reed? To make him jealous? Is it him? Because if it is, I just need to know. I’m not strong enough to tell you no, but I need to know going into it if—”

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