Page 62 of Just Friends
“Hold up, Riggs,” Reavo said. “I’m not trying to pile on you, I’m just genuinely curious: are you bringing Piper to the WAG party tomorrow or not? Because Katerina keeps asking me and I dunno what to tell her.”
“Yeah, Austen wants Piper there, too,” Dane said.
“So does Ainsley,” Vaughnsy said.
“Same with Emma,” Hath said.
None of that was a surprise. Piper was popular with all the guys’ wives and girlfriends—of course they wanted her there.
“Sorry, guys,” I said. “But it’s not happening.”
“Why not?” Vaughnsy asked, his head tilted.
“Yeah, I mean, shedidwin the promo, did she not?” Parisi asked.
“She’s not going to the WAG party,” I said with an air of finality. “And neither am I, for that matter.”
The guys grew uncomfortable again.
“Uh. Riggs. It’s a team event, buddy,” Dane said. “You have to go. Just make sure you bring a red tie and a red pocket square for the big dinner—that’s all Mr. Sullivan asks from us.”
“Is it in my contract?” I asked.
“No …” Dane trailed off. “But—”
“Then no, I don’t have to go.”
The resulting silence grew even more stifling.
“It wouldn’t be the same without you,” Reavo said with a touch of concern.
“Sorry, boys.”
“I don’t understand.” Parisi raised his palms. “All jokes aside, Cammer, you really should come. Why can’t you bring Piper? She’ll have fun.”
I rolled my eyes. “Because, man. We’re friends, alright, and you know what would make our friendship really fucking weird?”
If I made a move on her again?I thought, taunting and terrorizing myself.
“If, uh, if I took her to that party.”
“Wait, why would that be weird?” Reavo asked. “I told you before, the single guys bring their friends, sisters, whoever. It’s not weird at all, dude. It’s just a spa resort—women love that shit.”
“Because,” I said, and I was done with it.
But Niko kept it going.“I can bring Piper, then?” he asked cheerfully. “She cute, man. I like her. I like herwerymuch.”
“Very much,” I corrected the Russian.
“Yes,” he said, nodding enthusiastically. “Piperwerycute.”
“No, it’s pronounced ‘very’ with avee. ‘Piper isverycute’—”
“Tell us how you really feel, Big Rig!”someone shouted, never missing an opportunity to give me shit about Piper.
“Oh, fuck it.” I grumbled. “You guys are always up my ass about this shit, man. I’m fuckin’ tired of the dumbass jokes.”
“But wait,” Niko insisted, “you mind if I ask her? Or no?”
