Page 38 of Secret Love

Scratch that. I’ll never get used to it.

“Did these guys talk you into going out yet?” Weston asks.

“Are we still on that?” I stick my hands in my pockets, going into full grump mode.

“Yes, we are. I heard it didn't go great last night,” Rhodes says.

“It went fine. She just doesn't want to go out with me.”

“Well, if that’s the case, she's crazy,” Penn says.

“We can't call everyone crazy just because they don't want to go out with us.”

Penn looks wounded by my scowl and I make a face at him to lighten up. The guy’s young, but he’s been a good friend to me since the time I met him. He grins back, worry lifted just like that.

If everyone were as easy to win over as Penn Hudson…

“You can at least see if you're ready to get back out there,” Rhodes says under his breath.

Every few minutes, I’ve checked to see if any of the girls are hearing this and fortunately, they're still busy petting all the baby goats.

“All right,” I give in, “when I drop the girls off, I’ll be free. What time are we going?”

“Well, the fun doesn't start till ten,” Penn says.

“Ugh,” I groan. “I’m too old for this.”

“No, you're not an old man, you’re just acting like one right now.” Weston laughs.

“Oh, now you say that. Every other chance you get, you guys are telling me how old I am.” I snort.

I know I sound like a freaking fossil. But seriously, when was it ever fun to start the night at ten o'clock? I've always been a morning guy myself, and if I hadn’t been, having kids would’ve forced the issue.

“He saidyes,” Penn turns to point at Bowie, “so you've got to go too, Bowie.”

“Me? Why? No.” Bowie starts backing away.

“Okay, if I have to go, you have to go,” I tell Bowie.

“Fine,” he says. “You know what? I’ll do it. I can use the night out. Becca’s at my parents’ for a few days, so I don’t have an excuse, except I need to catch up on a million house projects. But you can definitely use the night out.” He nods at me. “And it doesn't have to be all about finding women.”

“Hell, yeah, it does,” Rhodes says.

I’m rethinking everything as I drive over to Weston's to meet everyone. After working out and not sleeping much last night, the last thing I want to do is go clubbing. But we drive into Denver and hit one of Rhodes’ and Penn’s favorite spots. The music is pounding, the bass thumping loud enough to feel it in my chest and balls.

Penn and Rhodes look so excited that I can't help but soften my stance and be glad that I came. We’re escorted into the VIP area, waitresses already surrounding us, ready to give us whatever we want. It doesn't take long before we're noticed, phones already snapping our pictures.

Women start coming over to each of us, one by one, or in the case of the women in front of me, the three of them came over together and surrounded me.

“I just love watching you play,” the redhead purrs.

Her hand strokes my arm, and I jump back, not expecting it. She just laughs and steps in closer.

“Oh, are you jumpy tonight? I know a way to relax to you,” she says.

“So do I,” the blonde next to her says, her hand roaming up my chest.

My God, they’re like leeches, ready to suction themselves to my body.

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