Page 36 of Playful Kris

The party bus driving us tonight is stocked with drinks, music is playing, and everyone is having a good time.

As soon as I saw Kaleb, he stood and gave me a hug, hoping his brother wasn’t being too much of a dick… but you know, the jury is still out on that one at least.

He introduced me to his fiancee, Ruby, and she’s beautiful. Long blonde hair, a perfect girl next door vibe to her, and the two of them are completely and madly in love with one another. It’s almost sickening, but the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen at the same time.

The entire wedding party is here, which is why they called for Kris to come out also.

“Kameron, right?” one of the bridesmaids that I’m sitting next to asks me.

Kris is at the front of the bus, talking to his brother, Ruby, and another guy I’m assuming he’s friends with.

“Yes.” I smile at her.

“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know Kris had a girlfriend.” She glances over to where he’s sitting.

“Oh, no. We aren’t together.” I laugh, awkwardly taking a drink from whatever is mixed in this cup that was thrust into my hand when I climbed on.

“Good to know.” She looks at me, smiles, then stands and walks from the back of the bus to the front, holding onto the railing at the top.

I watch her approach Kris, and something inside me prickles. My teeth clench when her hand lands on his arm, and my lips press into a flat line when he leans in to listen to whatever she’s saying.

“Careful,” a deep voice says beside me. “You’re going to lose a tooth if you keep biting down like that.” The guy chuckles.

I look over at the guy who has stopped in front of the seat the bridesmaid, who didn’t even give me her name, was just occupying.

“I’m Davidson.” He smiles at me, and his teeth are damn near perfect. Bright white, straight as can be.

“Kameron,” I say, reaching out to shake his hand. My eyes briefly flick back to the bridesmaid and Kris, who are both chatting away, so I focus on Davidson, pretending that what’s happening at the front of the bus isn’t bothering me.

Because, let’s face it, I can’t be jealous of Kris and another woman.

There’s nothing going on between us.

At all. Nothing at all.

“Are you a groomsman?” I ask, taking a sip from my cup.

“I am, and you’re?”

“Just here as a favor to Kris,” I explain.

“Ah, so you’ll be at all the festivities this weekend?”

“That I will.” I smile, trying my best to fight the desire to glance over at Kris and the… nope, calm down, Kam. No need to refer to her as a bride’s whore. That’s just being a mean girl.

“That’ll give us plenty of time to get to know one another.”

I frown, seems a bit forward, but friendly, I guess.

His eyes drop to the empty seat beside me. “Mind if I…?” He trails off.

I nod, giving him permission to sit beside me.

He turns so that his entire body is facing me as he leans in. My instinct is to lean back, he’s definitely in my personal space, more than someone I’ve just met should be.

“So, tell me, where are you from? What do you do?” he asks, taking a drink of his beer.

“I live in Birchwood, a little town by the river. I work for the Chamber there, organizing events for the community, things like that.” I smile, thinking about my job.

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