Page 77 of Up In Flames
When my eyes land on my driveway up ahead, I groan.
“Aw, fuck.”
“What’s wrong?” Taylor asks, turning down the volume.
I point toward my house. “That’s Phoenix’s truck.”
“And that’s bad?” he asks. His voice can oscillate between innocent and sultry so damn fast it makes my head spin.
“It’s not reallybad, but after this, the cat will most definitely be out of the bag, and it’s sure as fuck not going back in.”Oh, I’m going to catch so much hell when I confess to all the shit we’ve been up to.Wanting the last half mile to never end, I reach over and turn the radio back up. “Just keep singing, baby.”
I can’t help my laugh when we pull in next to Phoenix and I flip him the bird while Taylor sings his ever-loving ass off in the seat next to me.
Phoenix moves to my window, waiting for me to roll it down, but I point to my ear and shake my head likeI can’t hear you,wearing a grin that clearly says,Eat shit.
I wait until the song ends before turning off the truck and finally opening my door.
“Phoe, what are you doing here?” I ask from the driver’s seat.
“This is a welfare check,” Phoenix says with a knowing grin of his own. “Hud said our jet-skier took a turn for the worse last night.”
“All better now!” Taylor pipes up, walking around the front of my truck and extending his hand. “Thanks for checking. I’m Taylor. Nice to officially meet you.”
“Phoenix,” my best friend replies with a nod and a perusal over Taylor’s lean, tight body.
I watch him lick his lips and take a step closer to Taylor.
“Watch it, Phoe,” I growl, pulling Taylor to my side as I finally slip out of the truck.
“You’re really hot,” Phoenix says unabashedly, full of the same unshakable confidence Taylor possesses.
“I know.” Taylor winks at Phoenix, and I make a noise somewhere between another groan and a growl.
“Are you two done yet?” I snap. “I’m afraid someone’s going to get pregnant in my driveway.”
Taylor’s hand shoots into the air.
“Me! Pick me!” he says, jumping up and down against my body.
Pulling his bratty ass against me even tighter, I place my mouth at his ear and whisper so there is absolutelyzero chancePhoenix can hear me. “Go inside and put on whatever satin or lace you brought from your apartment. I’ll come find you in five minutes.”
Taylor steps back and salutes me before turning to Phoenix. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, but I must bid you adieu.”
Phoe and I watch as Taylor sashays his perfect, edible ass into my house, long tube in one hand, swinging bag in the other.
“He’s fucking adorable,” Phoenix says. “And I bet he’s freakier in bed than a black cat in heat on Halloween.”
I snort. “You’re not wrong.”
Phoenix raises a brow in concern or amusement, I’m not entirely sure. “So, you’re going for it, huh? I’m proud of you.”
I try like hell to act nonchalant about it. “You saw him. How long couldyouresist him?”
Phoenix laughs. “I wouldn’t have even tried. But IknowI’m into guys.”
“I’m intoTaylor,” I clarify, still having trouble imagining an attraction to any man that isn’t Tay. “Why’d you really drive all the way over here? You could’ve called or texted me.”
“I did,” Phoenix answers. “Multiple times. And I got no response…which hasn’t been terribly unusual lately,” he adds with an annoyed look.
