Jaden (Jaded #3)

Bryce’s grin grew. “I heard that, too. You think she’s around? Corrigan?”


“Nah.” Corrigan clipped his head to the side. “I don’t think she’s here. I think the mob came after her instead of her dad. She’s gone. That ship has sailed.”

“You guys are annoying.”

Bryce ignored me. “You’re right. We should make up now, for real. No reason for this distance.”

“You’re right.” Corrigan held his arms out. “Come here, you big Super Soccer Stud. Let’s be best friends again.”

Bryce stepped forward, and the two hugged each other, their arms patting each other on the backs.

“Yep. Annoying. That’s what all three of you are being.”

“Wait.” Bryce lifted his head. He turned to Denton. “We’re not including Denton. Come here. He’s the big star. He’s an A-list movie actor. That’s what Oprah told me. I watched her Master’s Class last night.”

Denton burst out laughing.

Corrigan tugged him over. “You’re right. How selfish of us. Come here. You’re so handsome, Denton. You make my lady parts throb.”

“Oh my god.” Denton was shaking his head, but he hugged both of them back. “I forgot how the three of you could be.” He glanced at me. “Sheldon—”

I flicked him off, then held my hand up and waved my middle finger at all of them. “Screw you, guys.”

“Come on.” Corrigan lifted an arm to me. “We’re just having fun. Get in here, too.”

I didn’t move and continued to glare at them. My middle finger was still in front of me. I wanted that gesture showcased and dipped in bronze.

Corrigan waved my hand away and grabbed my wrist. He tugged me in. Bryce and Denton both moved and all three of them tugged me so I was in the middle of the love fest.

This was just wonderful.

I stood there, rigid, as the three of them moved closer.

“Oh, Sheldon. You’re the glue in our friendship lockets.”

“Screw off, Corrigan.”

His head rested on my left shoulder.

Bryce’s head went to my right shoulder. “She’s the stick in our kebab.”

Corrigan barked out a laugh. “That was good, Bryce.”

“Thanks. I’ve been working on being funnier.”

“It’s paying off.”

“You guys,” I growled in warning.

Denton added, squeezing closer and his forehead rested on the back of my skull. “My turn.”

“Oh god.” I groaned.

“Sheldon, you’re the hotdog in our bun.”

“That’s a good one,” Corrigan murmured in my ear.

“Without you, it’s just bread.”

Bryce said, “Yeah. No taste. We’d go dry. Cracked.”

“Pure carbs. No enjoyment.” Corrigan was laughing in my ear.

“We’d all get fat then.” I could feel Denton’s silent laughter, as he pressed closer into the back of me. “Denton and I can’t. Our careers depend on our lean beautifulness.”

“Ha. Our beautifulness.”

“Oh my god.” I’d had enough. I tried to break away from them, but all three tightened their hold on me so I ducked down and crawled out through their feet. “You guys are too annoying now.”

Corrigan started for me. “Come on, Sheldon. We’re having fun.”

I rolled my eyes and darted out of his reach. “Forget the murderer. Take me away now.” Wait. “Never mind.” I asked Denton, “Where’s your wine? Can we please all get drunk tonight?”

“Yep. Same old Sheldon.” Bryce and Corrigan shared a look; both were trying to hold back their grins now.

Denton nodded and headed down the hallway. “Yeah, that sounds like a perfect plan. Let me get your dad and his . . .” He halted and lifted an eyebrow.

I answered, “Girlfriend.”

“Ah. Got it. Let me get your father and his girlfriend settled for the night. I need to ask if I should find bedding for all those guards too or not.” He kept going down the hallway and turned in the same direction Neil and Beth had gone.

I turned to see Bryce and Corrigan laughing. They were whispering more jokes to each other, and I shook my head. “Screw waiting. I’m going to find his liquor stash all on my own.”

“Where are you going?” Corrigan called out as I took off.

“Away from you two. It’s like I stepped into an alternate universe or something.” They weren’t faking like I thought they had been. As that realization settled in my gut, I stopped in my tracks. I thought they had been faking it, putting on a good front for my sake, but they weren’t. They actually were getting along. Turning back around to them, I just stared for a moment.

Giggles were coming from them. Giggles. From grown men. Only true friends laughed like that.

I waved a finger between them. “When did this happen?”

They stopped and drew to their fullest height. Bryce frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I thought you guys were faking before. I thought . . .” I thought I had destroyed their friendship? They were acting like they had in high school. It was—I felt a kick in my gut—nice. Then hope started to grow. Did I dare hope . . . the old trio was back?