Page 3 of Achievement Unlocked

“Not a dream,” Carly said.

What? I forced my eyes open to see Landon sitting up next to me. Oh, fuck. Even worse, we were in Sonya’s bed, and she was in the doorway with Carly, Jeremy, and Quentin.

The latter two of whom looked furious.

Carly, on the other hand, was smirking.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and willed my head to stop pounding. I was going to die, and humiliation would kill me.

“Nothing happened.” Landon’s voice was too loud, and the way the bed shook when he jumped out of it made my stomach want to revolt.

Last night filtered back to me in snippets, and I forced myself to stand as well. “We were just talking.”GodI hoped that was true. I was still dressed and so was he. We probably didn’t fuck and then get dressed after. Right? No. I was pretty sure I didn’t remember any sex.

Because Easton would never forgive me.

Fuck. Easton. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

“I swear, nothing happened.” Landon was focused on the group in the doorway.

Jeremy smacked Quentin’s arm. “You sicced your friend on my sister?” His tone was way too playful. “Dude, she’s engaged.”

Quentin held up his hands. “Don’t dump this on me. This is on them.”

“You don’t even want me to be engaged.” I was too hungover for their teasing. “Don’t pretend you even care about that.”

Was Carly laughing? Oh hell.

And then a phone was ringing and Sonya looked as in-pain as I was. At least someone understood. “Stop.” She barked out the word. “Carly, take Megan home. I don’t care whose. We’ll drop her car off later. Landon, thank you for the last-minute entertainment. I guess… bye?”

I gave Landon a short wave. “Thank you,” I mouthed.

But he had already turned away.

Home sounded good. I could curl up in a ball and hide from the world and pretend my lack of control hadn’t just been on display for most of the people closest to me. The people whose opinions mattered most to me in the world.

“Come on.” Carly swallowed her amusement enough to look sympathetic. She was gentle when she grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the front door. “I promise, not a word to anyone outside this room.”

I’d been drunk off my ass last night and talking bullshit. Easton and I had a good thing, and while I hadn’t done anything wrong last night, there was no reason for him to find out and misinterpret it. I’d go home, I’d sleep off this headache, and I’d forget last night ever happened.

1

nigel

Two months later

I’d had a lot of unique experiences in my forty years on this planet. Some might say I’d lived a fascinating life, and others would probably die of boredom if they had to be subjected to the story. .

I strolled through the halls of one of Salt Lake City’s finest hotels, searching for the room number I’d been given—a bridal dressing room. Every individual item in here looked more expensive than the entire contents of our Volkswagen van when I was a child. And the carpets never would’ve lasted in the circus tents I’d grown up in.

If Mom could see me now—Director of Quality Assurance for the most triple-X, triple-A game on the market, and doing repeat stints in fancy hotels—she’d probably ask what the hell a triple-A game was, but she’d be proud.

There was my destination, and I knew Megan was alone, because I’d passed Sonya a few minutes ago, who told me Megan threw everyone out so she could hyperventilate in peace.

I knocked.

“You’re not supposed to see me”—Megan opened the door, and her scowl melted to a soft smile when her gaze landed on me. “Oh.”

“Before the wedding?” I finished for her. “Pretty sure that only applies to the groom.” Which I’d imagined myself being for her on multiple occasions. But that had never been the way our lives worked out. I’d been with someone when she was single, and then she was with someone when I was hoping to win her heart, and round and round we’d gone.

---