Page 40 of Riley

I looked at him as I huffed a sigh of annoyance.

Might as well just get it off my chest before I see everyone tonight.

“Because everyone thinks I’m some goody two shoes who can’t let loose and have fucking fun.” I sighed, as the words continued, flowing free of their own accord.

“And because I’m gay, like, they think I can’t pick out good strippers or something. Hell if I know.”

Eric laughed, and the sound was deep and sexy. It was infectious, and I couldn’t help but laugh too.

Being with Eric was like that. Somehow, he found a way to infiltrate my fortresses and remind me who I was underneath it all.

Who I’dforgottenI was.

“But you’re not, are you?” he asked inquisitively. “You’re not the person everyone thinks you are.”

“I mean, I’m gay, but I’m not blind,” I bit out.

Eric chuckled once more.

My brother wouldn’t come out and say such things, and I knew the other members of the party were not as organized, and no one was jumping at the bit to volunteer as tribute to plan a night of debauchery, but I could read between the lines.

I was fully intent on giving my brother the best bachelor party I could, because he deserved it. Even it meant I had to stomach a night of tits and ass that did not appeal to me.

It had to be perfect, and I knew between him, our friends, and Eric, I’d manage to make it the best.

“Is that why you invited me, Riley? To help you pick out strippers?” Eric chuckled.

The conversation was steering off the beaten path while I focused on the GPS telling me to turn onto Rodal Road, which meant we’d be atCheerleadersin no time.

“I mean, can you blame me for wanting to bring along some personal eye candy?” I teased him.

Though his voice changed from playful, almost to sad.

“No, guess I can’t.”

A strange sort of tension fell between us, but I had no time to dwell on such things. I parked the car, just as my phone was ringing. It was my brother.

I opened the car door, sprinting around to get Eric’s. His gaze met mine as I nodded with a smile, telling my brother we were there.

And when I finished up with him on the phone, I offered Eric my arm. I watched as he contemplated taking it, almost as if he were afraid.

“Are you ready to meet the rest of the party and have some fun?” I asked, my nerves starting to settle.

Eric flashed me a smile that made my stomach flip. “I thought you’d never ask.”

CHAPTER 19

Riley

Thankfully,the club district packed their buildings close together, and therefore we could easily hop from one place to the next. Our first stop of the night wasCheerleaders, and though I’d never stepped foot in a straight strip club before, I could see the appeal.

My brother and Eric toasted their shot glasses as the rest of the party, Lane, Grayson, Henry, and even Drew Axel—Giselle’s rockstar buddy—and his boyfriend—the florist, Taylor—had come out for the event, and all were lined up at the bar, “testing” out the shots amid a myriad of fans who were taking selfies and getting their boobs signed by Drew.

“What are you waiting for? Christmas?” Grayson said as he came up beside me, holding out a shot.

I sniffed the concoction. It smelled like pumpkin-scented glass cleaner.

“What the hell is this, anyway?” I asked. I’d had two beers, which gave me an okay buzz, but I wasn’t planning on getting drunk at the first place we checked out. I wanted to take note, observe the place and Aaron’s reactions. Plus, shots weren’t really my thing, but that was what everyone seemed to gravitate toward there.

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