Page 32 of Stephan

There was no way I’d call Royce, he was allmorals and would make me feel worse than I already felt. Owen wasmy best bet. I dialed and waited. I heard ringing and followed itto see a sleeping Owen against the window. Shaking the big guy, heshot up ready for action. “Sleeping on the job?”

“Kid. David took over. You insisted I join.Boy can you put your liquor away.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and rolled myeyes. I didn’t have time for this shit. “You’re back on duty now. Ineed everyone out. Brand told me mum, my girl, and Cassie are onthe way.”

“Shit, kid, you’re in deep.”

I flinched. He didn’t mean I cheated on Jade,did he? I wouldn’t cheat on her would I? “Owen, did I…did I, youknow, with someone?”

The wanker smirked and stretched. So much foremployer and employee respect. “Did you what, Stephan?”

Crap. My heart sank and I looked aroundneeding to focus on something else. “I’ll ask later. We don’t havetime for this. We need them out now.”

“What’s up, Stephan?” I turned to see Brad inboxers scratching his head.

Panic was setting in. If Jade saw this, Iknew any progress I made with her would vanish. “Hey, Brad. I needthem all out. I told the girls to meet me at lunchtime. I justfound out they’re half an hour away.”

“I’ll help.”

“Thanks.”

The woman who’d been against me when I awokecame bounding over from the kitchen. “You’re back. Did you findyour brother?” She trailed her fingers down my bare chest. Igrabbed her hands. “Are you ready to have some fun? Let’s go, badboy.”

“No. I need you dressed and out of here.”

She pouted and I shook my head at theunattractive gesture. “I can come back later?”

Owen laughed and I shot him a glare. “Aren’tyou my bodyguard?”

He shrugged. “You don’t look like you need menow.”

Growling in frustration, I flung the girlback. “No. I don’t want you to come back later. I want you gonenow.”

Brad grabbed her. “Linda, he turned you downall night, he’s not gonna change his mind.”

Linda pouted up at Brad. “I’ve played withhim before.”

Ha, I played with women, not the other wayround. I turned ignoring her and let Brad deal with her. I was gladI’d turned her down even in my drunken state.

“That answer your question, kid? You didn’tcheat on your girl. I can tell you that we stopped you calling Jadeabout a million times. I believe Scott confiscated your phone for awhile when you were going to send her a picture of every woman youturned down.”

I winced and reminded myself to thank Scott,I owed him big time.

“Come on, let’s get everyone out.”

*****

Jade, Cassie, and my mum arrived just as we’dall finished showering. I came out to great them with a towelwrapped around my waist. “Hi. We’re all awake now and not feelingso groggy.”

My mum shook her head, she wasn’t fooled.Cassie was too busy staring at him. Jade surprised me by coming tome and wrapping her arms around my waist. “I hope you had fun.You’ve been cooped up with me for over a week looking after me. I’mglad you got out.” She pressed her lips to my chest and kissedit.

I stared down at her stunned. Had I finallygotten somewhere? Leaning down, I tilted her head up and kissedher. Jade didn’t fight, instead she moved her good arm up to holdme to her and kissed me back. My heart soared and I basked in thefeeling she wanted me too.

Easing away, I looked around to see my mumand Cassie out on the balcony with Owen and Brad. My brother hadonly gotten rid of the women in his bed not long before the girlsarrived. Scott and a couple of the other guys had done the same,most of them deciding to go home, too tired to go out today.

“So did you have a good time? I had a greatgirls’ night.”

Hugging her tight, I kissed her forehead. “Ihad a great night, but I missed you.”

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