Page 49 of Addicted Lies

But a flush runs down my neck as I think about our time together, the way we can’t keep our hands off one another. And that paints a very clear picture of what that addiction might look like. I cut those thoughts and memories off. God, I need to stop this. It’s too consuming.

“You really fucked both of them?” I ask, then laugh at her smug expression.

“Yep. Would not recommend,” she states, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “Or maybe next time I just need to find two guys who actually know what they’re doing. And who think more about the woman than themselves. Besides, I had to wait for like two hours until he could get it back up. I don’t have the patience to wait around like that.” She laughs.

I laugh, feeling light and free for the first time in ages. I’m so grateful for Ivy. She does what she wants, when she wants, and isn’t restricted in the same ways as me because of my asshole brother. “Well, someone has to do it because I certainly wasn’t going to fuck him. That guy was a dickhead.”

“Look, I wasn’t going to either, but I was bored.” She smirks, readjusting her heels.

“Oh, boredom. Now that’s a worry.”

“Shut up.” She bumps my shoulder with hers. “Do you think there will be any hot guys there, or will it be the usual group?”

“I’m not sure. Posie just said they were closing the venue down for the night to throw a surprise party for the manager or something. Apparently, Posie really likes her and didn’t have to twist Dutton’s arm much. So it’s a free-for-all.”

“Noted. So no hot guys and most likely the usual suspects. I hope the twins are there, at least. They’re always a bit of fun.”

I raise my eyebrows. “It’s desperate times if you’re depending on the twins for entertainment.”

“Oh, come on now. Hawke’s always down to party, and Ford is comical in his serious, stoic way, with his ability to ignore everyone and stare at his phone the entire time. I always wonder what he’s doing on that thing.”

I go quiet because I wonder that, too. He said he’s addicted, and his phone seems to be another vice, but I can’t imagine him to be the type to scroll through social media.

“Oh well. Even if there were hot guys, it’s not like your brother will let you around anyone, so it means ample opportunities for me.” She laughs.

We arrive at Pearl a little late and adjust our dresses when we step out of the cab. Posie themed the party as a red-carpet event, and it’s not like our family doesn’t have plenty of gowns and suits to choose from. I feel like any time we do anything together as a large group, we’re always dressed up. Sometimes I just want to show up in a pair of jeans and call it a day. But I know this is fun for Posie, and that makes me excited as well.

I’m wearing a red dress with a plunging neckline that drapes low at the back and has a slit up to my thigh. I don’t always love getting dressed up, but I love this dress. My hair is curled and blown out, falling over my shoulders.

Ivy and I have already posted our obligatory pic, and we couldn’t look more different; me in my daring red dress, and her in a knee-length, high neck pink dress.

When we step inside the club, I spot Posie straight away, mingling with the dancers. Every time I’ve come into my brother’s strip club, there has been a naked dancer on stage. Tonight, there is a dancer but she’s fully clothed, though she’s clearly drunk and having the best time of her life as another two girls applaud her. I’m envious of how they ooze beauty and sensuality. There’s no way in hell my brother would permit me to do anything like this. He’d most likely burn down any club I even attempted to dance at, even if just for fun.

The moment Posie spots us, she rushes over and grabs our hands. “You came! Come on, let’s have some drinks.” Before I can even say hello she’s dragging us to the bar. Okay, the girl is ready for a party night.

She orders a round of some cocktail she swears by. Everything is free tonight, and two waitresses circle the room offering drinks. I see a lot of men in suits, which tells me that, although my brother approved the party, he’s still mixing business with pleasure, which isn’t a surprise.

“Hello, Daddy,” Ivy purrs as she scans the room.

I laugh. “Calm down. We’ve only been here for two seconds.”

“And I already know what I like.” She chuckles as she accepts the drink and brings it to her lips.

“I’m living through you, girls,” Posie says with a laugh.

“Says the almost-married woman,” I retort with an arched eyebrow. The wedding is only a few weeks away, and I’ve already started making jokes that Dutton is going bald from being a groomzilla. He’s not, but it’s still hilarious.

Posie’s cheeks brighten, and I see the natural glow she has whenever my brother is mentioned. She certainly puts him in his place and challenges him, but she also loves him unconditionally. “I have a surprise for you. There’s someone here I want you to meet.” I gape at her in surprise and Ivy gasps.

“Don’t tell me Posie got big brother Dutton’s permission for Billie to actually talk to a real boy?” Ivy jokes.

“Shut up,” I growl.

“Yes, he knows. And I’ve warned him to be on his best behavior and to leave the judging of who you date up to you.”

My eyebrows spike in shock. “What did you have to bribe him with for that outcome?”

She chuckles and gives me a very obvious expression.

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