Page 29 of Stray
Was my strawberry actually bantering with me? Flirting if I dare say so myself. In front of our friends even. To what did I owe this sudden turn of events?
Codie, Storm, and the rest of their friend group sat in a circle on the grass. Some of them ate lunch. Others stared at their phones or lounged about drinking up the sun. Rebel inserted himself next to Storm. The rest of us created a circlearound the girls. I did my best to get close to Codie without making it too obvious.
She rolled her eyes, her silent way of letting me know that she knew exactly what I was doing. Maybe I should stop playing it so safe when other people were around. I’d been balls deep inside this woman, and I had every intention of doing it again. Did it really have to be a secret?
“Is my ego really that big?” I asked, nudging Codie with an elbow. “Or am I just that awesome?”
Codie shuddered dramatically. Staring down at the last few bites of a sandwich she held, she said, “I think I’ve just lost my appetite. Thanks for that.”
“No worries. I’ll finish it for you.” Plucking the sandwich from her hand, I shoved the rest of it into my mouth.
She stared at me like she didn’t know whether to laugh or slap me. I was cool with either one. Holding her gaze, I winked. She turned her attention to Storm, as if silently pleading for help. There was no hiding the pink tinge that colored her cheeks. As much as Codie wanted to pretend she hated my presence, I knew it was a lie. Her body language gave her away.
“You really can’t take a hint, can you?” Ripley asked. “Codie would never go for a player like you, Stray. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Her attempt to defend her friend was respectable. It also proved that these girls didn’t know a damn thing about what had been going on between Codie and me. I liked being Codie’s dark secret. Her shameful pleasure.
I let out a bark of laughter. “Am I? What story did she tell you to explain the bruises on her neck? Are you all really that blind?”
Next to me, I felt Codie cringe. There was a sudden sharp pain in my side as she brutally pinched me. Goddamn that hurt.
“Have you guys seen the dress I picked out?” Storm jumped in, pulling out her phone and waving it around. Her sudden subject change made me suspicious. Maybe one of Codie’s friends knew about us after all.
She quickly dominated the discussion by making sure her friends saw the photo of her wedding dress. She then got them talking about bridesmaid dresses and what colors would be best. Boring.
I rubbed the spot on my side where Codie pinched me. That was going to bruise. No way she wasn’t getting punished for that.
While the girls discussed boring wedding details, Casper lit up a joint and passed it around. Catching my eye, he signed, “You’re so obvious. Have you no shame?”
I merely smirked and shook my head. I really didn’t. Not when it came to Codie and getting what I wanted.
Just to be an ass, I butted into the conversation. “I vote for short skirts. Something that really puts your asses on display. Long skirts are good too. Perfect for ducking under for a little fun.”
Codie shot a desperate look at Storm. “Can I wear pants?”
I ignored the glare from Ripley. She was far too uptight for her own good. She probably seriously needed to get laid.
“No pants,” Storm said. Shaking a finger at me, she added, “No shenanigans at my wedding. Everyone will be on their best behavior.”
My expression was solemn as I placed a hand over my heart. “Absolutely. I’ll save the shenanigans for the after party.”
The joint came my way. I took several puffs before passing it on. Instead of helping me relax, it only made me hyper aware of Codie’s proximity. Close enough to touch. And yet, I couldn’t even hold her hand without drawing the attention ofeveryone. Something so simple shouldn’t have been off limits. Our arrangement didn’t include public shows of affection.
Codie did her best to avoid looking at me or acknowledging me in any way. Needing some kind of reaction from her, I bumped my foot against hers. When that didn’t work, I slid a hand in behind her and lightly tickled her lower back.
She jerked at my touch. Grabbing my hand to shove it away, she held on for just a moment, her fingers holding tight to mine. Then she pushed my hand away, pretending like it had never happened.
“Man, I hate dressing up,” Auryn complained. “Do we have to?”
“Yes. You have to. Just for the wedding. You can change for the reception.” Storm shot Rebel an exasperated glance, like she was already so over dealing with us idiots.
“Suck it up, buttercup,” Rebel admonished. “It’s Storm’s big day. Anything she says goes.”
Auryn rolled his eyes and muttered something about Rebel being Storm’s bitch while Casper made a whipping motion. Dominik wasn’t paying attention or contributing to the conversation at all. He was too engrossed in staring across the yard to where Venom sat at a table eating lunch.
We all hated Venom. However, Dom seemed especially aggressive in his reactions toward them. I found that surprising since their leader had gone after Storm. Rebel had done what he needed to do though, and he’d moved on. Not Dom though. He was convinced that Venom was plotting against us. He was probably right.
“That’s not the insult you think it is, dude.” Rebel reached over to punch Auryn in the leg. “Maybe one day you’ll be lucky enough to be some gorgeous lady’s bitch too.”
