Page 30 of Sticking Out

“So, I can say all kinds of dirty things to you.”

I fold my arms, and glare at him, and while I like the idea of him talking dirty to me, I shoot back, “You will not say dirty things and corrupt my dogs.”

He laughs. “Okay, I’ll say dirty things to you later, though.” I angle my head, my eyes questioning, and he grins. “Like how much I want to devour your pussy and put my cock inside you.”

I groan and shift in the seat, suddenly too warm between my legs. “Great, how am I supposed to make conversation when I’m aroused?”

“Just talk to them in French.”

I laugh at that. “Right, because I don’t stick out enough as it is.”

“Hey, babe. You don’t stick out.” There’s warmth and sympathy in his voice when he adds, “They all love you as much as I do.”

He turns his head quickly, staring at the road as I focus on the word love. He means it in a friendship way, I get that, but is there something more there or is it just my hormones messing with my brain?

We finally reach Tanner’s big house, and Conner parks on the street behind Noah and Brighton’s SUV. I might stick out, but all these wonderful people make me feel like I’m part of the family. I do love them for that. We exit the car and I grab the dip I made and Conner tucks the champagne under his arm. I’m not pregnant yet, so at least I get to have a glass…and I get to have more sex.

He puts his arm around me and tugs me to him. We’ve touched and joked around in public before, but this is different. Now we’re pretending to be a couple, and with the way he’s holding me, it’s easy to tell he’s committed to the role. Yeah, we’re a real walking rom com.

We reach the door, and Conner doesn’t bother knocking. There’s laughter and music inside and no one would hear it anyway. We let ourselves in and we’re instantly greeted with hugs and handshakes. The place is lively, everyone in a good mood. Conner puts his arm back around me and I notice a few looks as he guides me into the kitchen. We run into Gina, who is good friends with Melanie. I’ve gotten to know her a bit and really like her. She’s a single mom and she runs a café in town. It was so kind of her to have a big party for Melanie when Mel finished her exam last year.

“Gina,” I say and give her a hug.

“I was just refilling the wine.” She reaches for another glass and sets it on the counter. “Red or white?” she asks.

“You serve all day. Let me pour the wine and serve you.”

“Nah, I don’t mind at all.”

I think about her situation and then my own. One of these days, I’ll be a single mom too, so to speak, with a lot on my plate. But unlike her little girl Zoe, my child will have a father who helps out. Who’s helping her out? Does she ever get a break?

An idea hits. “Fine, you pour, and next weekend, I’ll take Zoe overnight.” I glance at Conner. Maybe I should have checked with him first. But he’s nodding in agreement. Maybe he too knows Gina needs a break and it could be good for us to see what it’s like to have a child for the night.

“We can take her to the resort for a swim,” he says. “I’m sure Camryn and Tate would love that.”

“You guys are the sweetest.” I point to the red wine and Gina pours me a huge glass. She exhales like she’s been holding it all together by herself for far too long. “I’m sure Zoe would love that, and honestly, I could use a night to myself, but I don’t want to put you guys out.”

“Not putting us out at all,” I assure her.

Just then Melanie and Josie come into the kitchen, debating on what book to read for next month’s book club.

“Oh, yeah,” Melanie says. “But I heard the hero is a real alphahole.”

“Oh, alphahole,” Gina mutters, almost longingly, as they approach the island.

“You like alphaholes?” I ask.

“In fiction, only. I wouldn’t want a guy like that in real life. I like the man whore character, though. I like when he starts caring about the heroine. That’s hot.”

“Uh, on that note…” Conner says, and snatches a beer from the fridge. “I’ll leave you guys to discuss alphaholes. Whatever that is.” He’s about to leave but stops. “Wait, what exactly is an alphahole?”

“Ash,” both Melanie and Josie say in unison, and I don’t miss Gina’s fast breath as she takes a sip of wine. What the heck is that all about? Oh wait…

“Ash?” Conner asks.

“Yeah, Ash is an alphahole. Actually, he’s a man whore, which falls under the umbrella of alphahole. Which I guess makes him an Ash-hole,” Melanie explains as everyone laughs. “Think about what he’s like when he’s not on the ice.”

Josie clicks her tongue. “One day he’s going to find a woman who takes him to his knees.”

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