Page 67 of The Baller

Jake and Ethan shared a look, both nodding slowly. “Okay, we’ll wait in the underground parking,” Jake said before turning to me. “You have your panic button and your phone?”

I patted my pocket. “Yep.”

“We’ll be downstairs. Ava is back at the restaurant finding out who those guys are, and if they do know of any photos, we’ll get them. They won’t make the light of day.” He stared down at me; even though I knew he was pissed, his eyes showed nothing but kindness and concern.

“Thank you.” I smiled for the first time since I’d stepped into the restaurant, God knows how long ago. “I promise, I’m okay now. I’ll be fine here.”

I waited until the elevator doors closed, and turned to Lux. Before I had a chance to blink, I was swept up in a giant hug until I wasn’t sure whether it was more for him than me. The longer it went on, the sooner I realized my air supply was being cut off. Even the pathetic tapping of my hand on his back didn’t seem to loosen his grip.

“Weston, I think you’re crushing her,” came my savior’s voice from the right.

Lux immediately released me. “Sorry. Sorry. Fuck, Radley, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I am,” I nodded truthfully, taking one last sniff.

His eyes scanned me; observing, contemplating, considering. After a second or five, he spoke. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to run you a bath, which you’ll stay in until you feel better. I’m going to make some lunch, then we’re all going to eat.”

“Oh great, we’re starved,” cheered Tanner, and I couldn’t help the little smile that slid along my lips, even though my brain was still fixing on one word.

“A bath?”

“Don’t worry about him. Weston thinks baths are the answer to everything. I hate to say it, but he’s right.” Tanner slung an arm around my shoulders. “Welcome to Casa Greyskull.”

FOURTEEN

LUX

Ididhappento think baths were the answer to everything, but right now, I had no idea what the question had been.

“Did you add salts?”

My brain only registered the noise, not the words, as I opened the freezer door, removed the bottle of tequila, and took a three large gulps. I drank it so quickly it was hard to tell whether it was the cold or the alcohol burning my throat and all the way down to my belly.

Parker and Tanner were sitting on the kitchen stools, their arms crossed over their chests like they were doing their best impression of Simon Cowell onAmerican Idol.

“What?” I managed to wheeze out.

“Salts. Did you add them to her bath?”

“Yes.”

Tanner’s brows shot up. “The pink, smelly ones?”

Um… “Lavender?”

“Yeah, and the ones that make it feel like you’re breathing fire?”

“Eucalyptus?”

“Yep. Those. Did you add them?”

“Yes, I added them.”

Parker propped an elbow on the counter and rested his chin on top of his balled fist. “What about bubbles?”

What was with the twenty questions? “I confirm there are bubbles.”

“Hmm,” he replied. “She’s gonna be a while then.”

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