CHAPTER NINE

I really have the two best friends in the world.

Juls and Joey set me up with a two-hour hot stone massage, which worked every single knot from my back that had begun to set in due to wedding-planning stress. Juls, Joey, and Brooke all received massages themselves while I passed out during my session. If I had my phone with me, I would've informed Reese that my masseuse had amazing fingers. Very feminine, amazing fingers. I'd never let him think another man had his hands on me. I'm very aware of his views on that, even if it is in a spa setting.

After that, the four of us drank wine while we got manicures and pedicures. Brooke even seemed happy about the festivities, not once complaining she wasn't getting her rocks off somewhere. Once we were all relaxed and buzzing from the wine, we were served a fancy lunch in the private bridal room: tiny cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, assorted fruits and cheeses, and of course, more wine. Thank God for the food because I would've needed carrying out of there if I didn't have something to absorb the alcohol that seemed to be free flowing.

Feeling full and borderline-tipsy after my relaxing afternoon, I can barely keep my eyes open as we make our way to our next stop. Juls and Brooke are talking quietly as I lean my head on Joey's shoulder.

"What do you think the boys are doing right now?"

He sighs. "Well, if it were a different bunch of men, I'd say they were getting panties thrown at them. But Reese only desires your panties, and Ian is so whipped it's almost laughable." Juls overhears this and flips Joey off as she continues to giggle with Brooke. "And Billy…" Joey's voice trails off as he reaches up and fixes the collar of his shirt.

I lean up and kiss his stubbly jaw. "He loves you. You know that, right?"

He nods, dropping his worried façade. "I know. I'm just in a funk. Once you're hitched, I'll be the only single girl left at the party." I swat at his leg and he laughs just as the limo comes to a stop. He peers down at me. "You ready to work that outfit at the hottest club in the Big Easy, cupcake?"

Dancing with my two best friends… and Brooke? I glance around at the three smiling faces. "Hell yes, I am. Let's do this."

Joey leads the way past the bouncer and into the Raging Rhino. The dance floor is packed with people, and the music is bumping through the speakers. This place is massive and a serious step up from the clubs we've been to in Chicago, and I always considered Clancy's to be on the fancy side. It's two floors, the bottom one containing a bar that stretches the length of the dance floor. The top level is roped off and a security guard is standing at the bottom of the stairs, granting access to certain individuals. Brooke squeals excitedly behind me as Juls turns her head and leans close to Joey and me.

"I say we dance first then hit up the bar," she yells over the music. Joey and I both nod in agreement, making our way toward the middle of the dance floor.

By some miracle, I'm able to dance without any problem in my sky-high heels, and I do just that with Joey, Juls, and Brooke dancing next to me. Even though there are tons of people around us, the dance floor is so large we all have plenty of room to move. Joey uses that to his advantage and spins around in a way only he does. I hold my hair off my neck and move my body to some remixed version of "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake. It becomes a competition, the three of us all trying to out-dance the other for what feels like hours. My feet at one point become numb, and I don't care in the least that I'll probably have blisters; I'm having too much fun to care. As one song blends in to another, I glance around and realize Brooke is missing.

I wave my hands out in front of me, getting the attention of Juls and Joey. "Where's Brooke?"

They both glance around, Juls spinning in a circle and looking over the heads of the other dancers. She shrugs when she turns back to both of us. "Bathroom, maybe?"

"Who cares where she is? Ooooo, this is my jam!" Joey squeals.

"Single Ladies" by Beyoncé comes on, and Joey begins to do the entire dance routine from memory, probably better than Mrs. Carter herself, and that's saying a lot. Juls and I buckle over in laughter as he nails it, not caring what the hell anyone thinks of him. Because it's Joey we're talking about; the man has zero shame and I love him for it.

Not wanting to interrupt my best friend's dance number, I wait 'til after the song is over to demand a break. I grab his arm, motioning to Juls, and give them the universal hand gesture for 'let's go get a drink'. They both nod, Joey reaching up and wiping the sweat off his forehead and Juls resituating her dress, which shifted on her body.

We all walk up to the bar, and Joey motions for one of the four bartenders. "Helloooooo. Seriously? How can you ignore this?" Juls and I chuckle as he frantically waves his hand out, desperately trying to get someone's attention. Just then, Brooke comes stumbling up to the group, rubbing her left eye.

"Does anyone have any Visine?" she asks, dropping her hand down and blinking rapidly.

"Where have you been?" Juls asks. "And why the hell do you need Visine?"

She rolls her one eye that isn't being rubbed. "I got semen in my eye."

I don't know what the hell I was expecting her to say, but it definitely wasn't that. And given Juls' and Joey's reaction, they weren't expecting it either. I slap my hand over my mouth to contain my hysteria while Juls throws her head back, unashamedly laughing her ass off. Joey covers his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking with his laughter.

Brooke's face turns bright red as she rubs her eye with the heel of her hand. "Oh, like none of you have ever had a face shot go wrong. This really fucking burns. I've been flushing it out for the past hour."

"Oh, my God, Brooke," I barely get out through my chuckles. "Why did you let him shoot it on your face?"

She stares at me like I've just asked her the most ridiculous question. "I'm not swallowing a stranger's load. It was either that or on my dress, and this shit was expensive." She takes note of the laughter around her and huffs loudly. "It was an executive decision I'm seriously regretting. Someone Google whether or not it's possible to get permanent damage from this." The three of us are too busy roaring with laughter to be able to Google anything. Brooke surveys us with annoyance. "Asses. Next time you get cum in your eye, you're on your own."

"Finally," Joey says through a giggle as one of the bartenders walk up to where we're standing. He's holding a bright pink cocktail and places it on the table in front of us. "Uh, I didn't order yet. Although, that looks delicious."

"It's for her." The bartender motions at me with his head. "From the guy at the end of the bar."

The four of us all turn toward where he has directed, the laughter fading out as we all seemingly focus on the same individual.

Fucking motherfucker.

Bryce is staring at me with that same smug smirk, which is apparently a permanent fixture on his face. He's as eerie looking as I remember, with those yellow eyes that seem to glow in the bar, like a stalking reptile.

"What is that fucker doing here?" Joey asks, moving closer to me. I register his question but can't seem to find the words. I'm too busy coming up with ways to lay this asshole out.

"Damn. He's hot. Who is that guy?"

The three of us all turn to see a very horny-looking, one-eyed Brooke.

"Really, Brooke? You just gave some stranger head and you're patrolling for more ass? Maybe you should pace yourself," Joey says before returning his gaze back to Bryce. Brooke simply shrugs her response as he continues. "He must have a death wish to be in the same building as you. Reese is going to freak out."

"Is that Bryce?" Juls asks. I nod and see her eyes widen. "Shit. You were right, sweets; he is creepy looking."

Creepy seems to downplay it. The man makes my skin crawl, and this is only the third time I'm seeing him. I step up to the bar and grab the drink off the counter. There's a possibility that what I'm about to do will get me kicked out of this pristine club, but right now, I don't care. I've had an amazing time with my friends and if it ends now, I'm fine with that.

"Dylan! Hold up!"

I hear Joey's voice behind me as I move between the patrons. Bryce keeps his chilling smile on me as I inch closer, either not knowing or not caring how his gesture is being received. In fact, if anything, his stupid face seems to break into an even-bigger grin as I step next to him.

"Dylan, it's been too damn long since I laid my eyes on that tight body of yours. Remind me to thank your fiancé for bringing you along on this little trip," he spews through his venomous grin. His eyes slowly rake over my body, giving extra attention to my breasts. "Damn, girl, that dress belongs on my bedroom floor. Wanna get out of here and make that happen?"

I waste no time in drenching his face in my bright-pink cocktail, placing my now-empty glass down on the bar and gaining the attention of everyone around us. "Go fuck yourself, Bryce. Even if I wasn't with Reese, I would never go anywhere with you. The dickhead vibe you got going on doesn't really do anything for me. Nor do your lame-as-shit pick-up lines." I feel movement at my back as Juls, Joey, and a stunned-looking Brooke flank my side.

Bryce wipes the drink from his eyes, not dropping his smile even the slightest. "I heard you had a bit of a temper. Does Reese like that? Do you fuck him angry?"

"Oh, no, you did not just say that," Joey spits, stepping closer to Bryce.

I hold my arm out and stop him from getting in Bryce's face. "Don't, Joey. He isn't worth getting arrested over." Because that's exactly what would happen. Bryce is such a punk, he'd press charges instead of manning up and actually fighting back.

Joey looks down at me, nostrils flaring. "He's not going to talk to you like that. Let me handle this."

"Oh, but I'd much rather Dylan handle me, Joey." Bryce leans against the bar, his white polo shirt now stained light pink. "You want that, don't you, baby? You want to handle me?"

"Fuck you, asshole. I really hope we're all around to see you get your ass beat," Juls says, grabbing mine and Joey's elbows and tugging us back. Bryce's smile touches his eyes, making them practically twinkle at the sentiment. "Come on. Let's go."

"Just for the record: up close, you're not hot," Brooke adds behind us. I turn and see her flip him off over her shoulder.

I place my hand on Joey's back, making sure he's moving with me as we both follow Juls away from the bar and toward the entrance. "Goddamn it," I utter to myself. Nothing would've pleased me more than to slap the snot out of that jerk. Well, except for maybe throwing my first punch. But I couldn't do that. I couldn't do anything.

We all pile into the limo and as soon as we get situated, Brooke opens the liquor cabinet. "I don't know about you three, but I need to get trashed."

A collective "yeah" fills the inside of the limo. Alcohol after that encounter? Yes. Absolutely. I find the button that lowers the window dividing us and the driver, dropping it down. I meet the man's eyes in the rear view mirror.

"Would you mind driving around for a while before you take us back to the house?" I ask him.

"Not at all, Miss."

"I cannot wait until Reese finds out about this. That prick is going to get the ass-beating of the century," Joey says, taking a champagne bottle from Brooke. She hands Juls and me ours after opening them.

"Reese isn't finding out about his," I inform him after taking a swig. I glance between the three pairs of eyes on me, all filled with concern. "I mean it. This account he and Ian have with Bryce is important enough for Reese to put aside his hate for that asshole and actually work with him. If we say anything, he'll drop the account for sure, and most likely go to prison for murder. He doesn't need to know. Nothing happened."