Page 71 of Just Friends
“All good, brother! Just glad you’re coming!”
“AW YEAH BIG RIG IN DA HOUSE”
“Happy to hear it, buddy.”
“glad you’re coming bro”
“Good man.”
“Another partner in crime for the WAGs. They’ll be pleased!”
“I just told Katerina you two are coming, and she’s pumped as hell.”
The boys didn’t give me a hard time about bringing Piper, even though I probably deserved a good beaking after my little tantrum yesterday.
I was still reading the group chat when Piper’s bedroom door opened. I glanced up and watched her emerge. Fresh from her morning shower, her radiant skin glowed. Her hair, still slightly wet, showed off her natural curls.
“Morning!” she said in a happy cheer, her flats nearly silent on the wood floor.
She’d cropped off the bottom of her oversized t-shirt, drawing my hungry eyes to her exposed midriff. Terrible thoughts, thoughts I shouldnotbe having now that we were trying to be normal, raced through my mind. God, how I wanted to get my hands all over that lovely little swell of soft flesh …
“Morning,” I answered, purging those fucked up thoughts and forcing myself to look away.
“Did you get the sandwiches?” she asked.
I held up the bag that sat by my hip. “Right here.”
“Yes! Can’t wait.” She clapped her hands with excitement. “Y’know, Jax, you really know how to get a girl all worked up and excited about food.” She moved towards the kitchen with purpose. “Do you want some coffee for the road?”
“Already made it,” I said. “You’ve got a thermos waiting for you in my truck.”
She bit her lip, afraid she might be asking too much. “You didn’t happen to remember the cream, did you?”
“Of course I did.”
“You’re the best.” She sat by me and bumped her shoulder into mine. “Thanks for doing all that, Jax.”
“No prob,” I said.
The air between us grew still, and the friendly smile she wore began to fade.
“Hey, is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
“You’re so quiet.”
I let out a deep breath. “Sorry. I slept like total shit last night.”
“Ah-ha,” she said. “IthoughtI heard you walking around late last night.”
“Oh, er, yeah. I got a little restless. Had to stretch my legs. Hope I didn’t make too much of a racket.”
“Nah.” She rubbed a hand against my back. “Well, I’m sorry to hear you had a rough night, Jax. Obviously, I can relate. Isn’t it the worst when you can’t sleep?”
“I honestly don’t know how you do it,” I said.
“I do it withdrugs, Jax,” she said with a laugh—meaning her prescription medicine.
