Page 74 of Lucky in Love
“Yes,” she said. “I’m going to read for a bit and then turn in. You go have fun though.”
“Okay. I’ll come get you first thing in the morning.”
“Sounds good. Good night, honey.”
After ensuring she was settled, he left again to meet Alex at the rec cabin.
Everyone arrived within minutes of each other, half-eaten pies and wine bottles in hand. Alex introduced him to MaddieReed. She was tall and pretty, just like the rest of them. And despite her fame, seemed remarkably down to earth.
“How’d dinner go?” Juliet asked. “We missed you.”
“It was delicious,” Brody said at the same time Alex said, “It was a disaster.”
“You’re so full of crap.” Alex slapped his arm and laughed.
He slung an arm around her shoulder. “You’ll get ’em next time, slugger.”
“Alex has a lot of talents,” Tess said. “But cooking ain’t one of ’em.”
“That’s why God made bakeries and restaurants,” Alex quipped.
“All right, y’all,” Maddie said. “What are we playing?”
Choices were limited, but after a round of voting, they decided on Monopoly.
“You certain you want Brody to witness this?” Tess asked Alex.
“Shut up,” Alex hissed.
“Your relationshipiskind of new,” Faith added.
“We could watch a movie instead,” Juliet offered.
“What are they talking about?” Brody asked.
Her friends drowned out Alex’s “nothing.”
“Alex can be un poco competitive,” Maddie said.
“She doesnotlike to lose,” Faith said.
“Which is great on the court,” Tess continued.
“But can get wild during board games,” Juliet finished.
Brody glanced at Alex, who looked like she wanted to dig a hole and climb in. “You a sore loser, Gray?” he teased.
“Saddle up and find out,” she said, eyebrows narrowing.
“This should be interesting,” Nick said. “Glad you’re here, Brody. This is my first year being a part of this tradition. I’m not sure I could bear it without some male companionship.”
An hour and a half later, everyone had gone bankrupt except Brody and Alex. They’d all remained in their seats but were having side conversations and losing interest in the game.
“Les go, Collins,” Alex slurred. “Your turn. Hit Boardwalk, and it’s game over, baby.” She was on the verge of drunk, and her attention vacillated between the game and yucking it up with her friends. A distraction he intended to exploit.
Brody was on Community Chest and rolled a seven, which would have put him one square past Boardwalk on “Go.”
He made eye contact with Nick and mouthed, “Should I?”
