Page 39 of Brazen Mistakes

Jansen snatches my hand from where it’s tapping against my thigh, kissing my palm. “It’ll be fun. I promise.”

Trips gives me a long look before turning and leaving the room, no goodbye or good night, the whiskey abandoned with the three of us.

Jansen dives onto the couch with Walker and me, resting his head on my lap while I sit on Walker’s. This should be weird. I know this arrangement isn’t normal. I know most guys would freak out about sharing their girlfriend.

And somehow, they aren’t.

I’m lucky. In so many ways.

I tug out Jansen’s ponytail so I can run my fingers through his hair, while Walker’s hand drifts from my waist to my hip, scooting me closer. “When do you think RJ will be back? I thought he’d be home by now,” I say.

Jansen closes his eyes, relaxing into my touch. “Do you know why he left? Like, actually?”

“Trish said their dad and mom were talking about money, and something about RJ covering it, and he freaked out.”

“That’s not good.”

Walker shifts under me. “What do you and Trips know that I don’t? Can you share?”

Jansen’s eyes flicker open, glancing between the two of us. “I’d rather he shares. Or for him to give me permission to share.”

I bop his head gently. “You shared with the whole house I have an IUD, but you keep RJ’s secrets?”

“Was that a secret? I told everyone that they’d better have clean tests before they even thought about getting naked with you, because while I’m happy to give you what you want, I’m not sharing any unusual rashes with anyone. That’s a step too far. Ifsomeoneneeded clarification, well, wait. Huh. Yeah. I guess I did just announce that to everyone.”

Walker and I both groan, and Walker pushes Jansen off the couch. “Just stop. You’re digging a bigger hole by the second.”

Jansen grabs the whiskey from where it ended up resting next to the couch before sitting cross-legged at my feet and offering me the bottle. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t think it was a big deal. But if it was, I’ll go, I don’t know, sprint through the snow, three times around the house while naked in penance.”

The whiskey stings as it attempts to force its way out of my nose. I manage to swallow before choking and laughing. “That’s the weirdest apology I’ve ever heard.”

Walker’s chuckles shake me from his lap as Jansen gives me puppy dog eyes from the floor. “Just give the word,” he says, before dragging off his sweatshirt, leaving a bare-chested man kneeling on the floor in front of me.

“Damn,” slips out before I can stop it, my hand traveling across his collarbone, my head fuzzy from alcohol, but my body buzzing with other intentions.

A grin lights his face, and he pops to his feet, shimmying out of his pants, underwear, and socks, before sprinting to the front door.

Chapter 15

Clara

“Wait, wait!” I yell after him, stumbling over Walker’s feet as he struggles upright as well, both of us giving chase.

Jansen’s laugh trails behind him as he flings open the front door and takes off down the porch and around the side of the house, leaving Walker and me stunned at the entryway.

“Did he really just…” Walker asks, staring at the last place we saw Jansen.

“Yup.” We look at each other in shock, the wind buffeting the snow from the banister to settle on my bare toes.

The giggles take over just as Jansen appears on the other side of the house, howling about how cold it is.

It’s bitter out tonight.

And his feet are as bare as the rest of him.

“Jansen, wait, stop, you’ll freeze! Or get arrested!”

“Beautiful, this is for you!” he yells as he vanishes around the corner again.

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