Page 36 of Nothing to Beat

“Music maybe.You’re only saying the other thing ‘cause your guy’s in a different state.That shouldn’t mean we’re all deprived.”

“You had sex already today, and besides, I don’t care if you get laid.Go find someone to screw.Have at her.Just meet Porter first and take Trevor with you if you go out.Your mom would never forgive me for abandoning one of her babies in a strange, but fabulous, city.”

They descended a floor.

“She has a lot of babies,” Tripp said.“Might not notice.”

No chance.Alice may care about a lot of people, but there was no way she’d be okay with losing track of one of her boys, even at Tripp’s age… or Breck’s.

“We’re all her babies, and she may be taking on more from what I hear.”

“More?What do you know that I don’t?”

Unusual for Tripp to be out of the loop.

Roxie stopped at the head of the hall.“That will have to wait.”

“Rox—”

“Porter!”

The sudden shout startled her, though maybe it shouldn’t have.They hadn’t been told exactly which apartment belonged to this Porter.Belonged?If he didn’t pay rent either, “housed” would be a better description.Imagine how the price of real estate in the area must’ve skyrocketed given it had become a billionaire’s hangout.

“You’re subtle, Rox Out,” Tripp said, letting go to stretch.“We could just start knocking.Are the doors even locked?There’s security swarming all over the place here, can’t tell me the main door isn’t guarded too.How many people live here?”

Roxie looped her and Sequoia’s arms together to get closer.“See he’s trying misdirection, pretending like he forgot someone said a single female lives on this floor too.”

His smile came first, then the bob of his brows.“No harm in being neighborly.It’s how my momma raised me.”

“Yeah, Breckenridge House doesn’t have neighbors, not for like a mile.”

“We took long walks as children.”

“Mm, yeah,” Roxie said, her scrutiny growing.“You’re not usually so actively horny this early.What’s going on?”

FOURTEEN

THERE WAS NO TIME to answer because the nearest door opened, and a guy popped his head out.He blinked once, then came out to fold his arms.

“RoRo.This is a surprise.Z didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“What is with Casanova buddying up to the men in my life?”

“Am I in your life?”

Fully entitled, Roxie marched on over and shoved his door further open.“We have to talk.”

“We?”he asked, then landed his focus on her and Tripp.“Or all of we?”With a quick arm jab, Roxie wrung a snicker from Porter who went inside, gesturing for them to follow.“Come on in.”

“Great place you’ve got here,” Roxie said, opening her arms to turn on the spot.

Filled with Porter’s things, not Roxie’s, obviously, the furniture was laid out differently, but, yeah, from what she saw, one apartment had the same footprint as the other.

“Didn’t think you’d have a problem with it.Z thought you’d prefer me somewhere safe and the Grand isn’t exactly home.”

That was a matter of opinion.

“I don’t have a problem,” Roxie admitted.“But I draw the line at the magician.He shows up looking for a place to live, you and Z just turn him right around.”

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