“Maybe we should stay around a bit first. Trev would be hurt if we left,” I replied. He’d asked me to be his friend tonight. Running off would be unfair to him.

  “Uh, he looks like he might have gotten distracted,” Saxon replied, looking over my shoulder.

  I turned my head to see Trev talking to a blonde and a brunette. The blonde was touching his arm, and the smile on his face said he was enjoying the attention. They were beautiful, so I could understand why.

  “Yeah, he does. I guess stepping outside would be nice,” I agreed.

  Saxon smiled and flashed his dimples. Things were just easier with him.

  Seven

  Gypsi

  “Having fun?” Mom asked me, pulling me over to a corner, away from the others. She glanced back at Saxon, who was talking to Garrett. “He’s cute,” she added with a grin.

  I shrugged. “Yeah. But it’s a friends thing. I’m not ready to even think about dating yet.”

  Her concerned frown was immediate. “Gypsi, you can’t go the rest of your life scared of guys and dating. Don’t give Tyde that kind of power.”

  “I’m not. It’s just that I had missed the red flags with him and I realized too late. I’m not giving him power. I am playing it safe.”

  She sighed and tucked one of my wayward curls behind my ear. “Sweetie, he was mentally unstable. It was my fault you even met Tyde. I was the one who made the poor choices, and I will never forgive myself for putting you in danger.”

  I held up a hand. “Stop. We’ve gone over this a million times. None of it was your fault. I was eighteen years old and perfectly aware of the choices I was making. Now, forget this. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Go back to your billionaire boyfriend and have a fantastic night.”

  She glanced in Garrett’s direction and blushed. That was a first. Fawn Parker did not blush. She really liked this one. I just hoped she wasn’t setting herself up to get hurt.

  “He makes me feel like a princess,” she whispered. “I’ve never been treated the way he treats me, and I’m not talking about the money. It’s how he acts … as if I’m … special. I mean something to him. He wants to protect me.” She smiled and rolled her eyes. “I sound silly.”

  Not wincing when she had said princess was difficult, but I managed not to react.

  I reached over and grabbed her hand. “No, Mom, you don’t. You sound like you’ve finally found a guy who is worthy of you. Maybe,” I added.

  She laughed and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I love you, Gypsi Lu. I want you to be able to enjoy life, boys, dating, sex.”

  Only my mom would add sex to that. She never acted like sex was something bad. Maybe that was why I reacted to it the way I did.

  “I will. Just probably not with Saxon. Especially since he’s Trev’s best friend and … well, there’s that chance that Trev might end up being my stepbrother.”

  Her musical laugh made me smile. “Don’t get carried away. We are just getting to know each other. That man could have any woman he wanted. I don’t think he’d give a woman like me his last name. But for now, I’m gonna live it up and have the best time. Make memories—”

  “Of the best times so you can daydream during the bad.” I finished her favorite motto.

  She’d been telling me that all my life. It was the way she lived.

  Mom winked at me, then squeezed my hand. “I’d better get back to my hot date, and you try and enjoy the cutie you’re with.”

  I smiled, but said nothing.

  She shifted her gaze, then leaned in close. “That Trev gets around, doesn’t he? There was a redhead with him in the winner’s circle, who he was kissing and groping. Now, he’s got a blonde pressed up beside him, and I think that other girl is trying to get his attention too.”

  I glanced in their direction, and it did look like things were escalating. “Yeah, he is a player. Saxon and he couldn’t be more different.”

  And yet it was Trev who made me feel something. I had terrible taste in guys.

  She looked back at me. “Yeah, but then it’s the bad boys who can be irresistible.”

  “Maybe to some, but not me. At least not anymore,” I lied. I’d thought that. I really had, but then Trev proved me wrong.

  We walked back over to Garrett and Saxon. After I assured Garrett I was having a good time and that Saxon was being an excellent escort, we headed for the exit. I was ready to get away from the temptation of watching Trev flirt. Poor Eliza. She was having to watch that too.

  The private party that Garrett was holding for special guests was in a ballroom at the hotel. Trev had left in the limo with his two female friends, so we ended up riding with the two guys I’d met earlier today in the winner’s circle suite, who I’d thought were bodyguards. I still wasn’t convinced they weren’t, but the way Saxon talked to them, they seemed like friends of his.

  Levi drove the SUV and dropped us off at the entrance. When we walked inside, there was celebrating still happening everywhere.

  “What did you think of your first derby?” Saxon asked me as we made our way to the ballroom.

  “You mean, my only derby?” I replied. I seriously doubted I’d get invited to one of these again unless my mom did marry Garrett.

  “Why your only?”

  I shrugged. “Unless my mom and Garrett are still seeing each other next year, I can’t imagine we’d get invited to another one of these.”

  Saxon looked down at me. “And here I thought, we were friends.”

  “We are,” I replied.

  “Then, even if your mom and Garrett aren’t together, as my friend, if you want to come back, you have a standing invitation.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Although I didn’t see that happening since Saxon’s and Trev’s families were so close, but it was nice to think I’d get to keep him as a friend long-term.

  “You’re a good guy, Saxon.”

  He smirked. “Is that what I am?”

  The guy at the door recognized Saxon, and we were granted instant access. It was stunning inside, and a live band was playing on a stage. A few couples were on the dance floor, and others were standing in groups, drinking. Appetizers were on fancy silver trays, being walked throughout the crowd by servers. Saxon took two cream-puff-looking things from a tray and handed one to me.

  “These are awesome. You’re not allergic to seafood, are you?”

  I shook my head and took the puff. “Thanks.”

  We made our way to the bar while I casually looked around the room for Trev. I was just curious, nothing more. However, there was no sign of him. My thoughts immediately went to what he might be doing in that limo with two females. Aggravated with my imagination and the fact that it made me envious of them, I turned my attention to Saxon.

  “Want a drink, or would you rather dance?” he asked me.

  The idea of dancing with people watching made me feel self-conscious. “A drink for now.”

  He grinned as if he knew what I was thinking. “Want to try something new? Or do you have a favorite cocktail?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I’m nineteen. I typically don’t get served alcohol like I have been this weekend.”

  “How about I surprise you?”

  I nodded. “I’m up for it.”

  While he was ordering our drinks, I turned to see Mom and Garrett arrive. He had her close to his side, leaning down and whispering in her ear while she smiled at whatever he was saying. I started to turn back to Saxon when Trev came walking in after them with the blonde by his side. She was holding on to him as he talked to a guy on his other side, then laughed loudly at something.

  “Try this,” Saxon said to me, and I was thankful he’d distracted me.

  I took the glass from him. It had a pretty red color to it. Taking a sip, I smiled. It wasn’t too sweet, but it had a nice flavor.

  “Perfect.”

  “It’s a cosmopolitan. I won’t lie. I don’t know much about cocktails. My mom likes those. I figured it was a good bet.”

  The band started an upbeat song. I looked out over the crowd on the dance floor while younger people made their way to the floor. Trev was grinning as he pulled the blonde with him to the center. I wasn’t the only one watching him. He was hard not to look at. With the wicked grin on his face, he tugged the blonde against him and began to move his body in a way that was insanely sexy. This I didn’t need to watch. Right when I began to turn my attention back to Saxon, Trev’s gaze locked with mine. He winked, then bent down to whisper to the girl he was with.

  “He’s gonna regret that tomorrow. Gretchen isn’t an easy one to shake. She’s been after him since we were kids,” Saxon said beside me.

  Realizing I’d been caught staring at Trev, I put my back to the dance floor and gave Saxon my full attention. “He seems to make a habit of that. I feel bad for Eliza.”

  Saxon shook his head. “Don’t. She knows the score with him. The thing about Eliza is, she doesn’t go stalkerish. Gretchen does. He’s had too much to drink. That’s the only explanation for it.”

  “You don’t seem to, uh, hook up with the females here. It seems you all kind of know each other. Is that why? No one new?”

  The corner of his mouth kicked up a touch. “Yeah. You could say that. I’ve dated a few of them. Hooked up with some over the years.”

  But he didn’t go back once he was done. Or when he was drunk, like Trev. Not a player.

  “You’re more of a relationship guy,” I said.

  He nodded. “Yeah, but I just got out of a long relationship about six months ago. Not looking to jump back into anything.”

  “I understand that, although my last one wasn’t a long one, but it was the longest I’d ever had. I guess it could be considered my first relationship really. It was a mistake.”

  Saxon sighed. “Mine was a mistake. One that was off and on for years.”

  I finished my drink, and Saxon took the glass and set it on a tray that came by.

  “Is he treating you right?” Trev asked as he and Gretchen joined us, looking flushed from their dirty dancing.

  “He’s set the bar high for all my future derby dates,” I replied, giving Saxon a teasing grin, not wanting to look at Trev and his blonde too long.

  “Ah, love match in the making,” Trev drawled. “Want a drink?” he asked Gretchen, then pressed a kiss to her lips.

  “Champagne,” she replied, gazing up at him adoringly.

  “You two have fun,” he said as he and Gretchen headed for the bar.

  “He needs to drink some water,” Saxon said, frowning. “But he’s in a mood. Telling him that will piss him off.”

  “He seemed to be in a good mood to me,” I said.

  Saxon chuckled. “Trust me, he’s not.”

  Deciding that talking about Trev and asking questions would only make me think about him more, I changed the subject to college. I asked Saxon about his major, future plans, past, ex-girlfriend, and hobbies. I learned that the more I found out about him, the more I liked him.

  When I covered my yawn, he set down his glass and held out his arm to me. “Ready to be delivered to your suite?”

  Smiling, I nodded and left without looking back for Trev once. I was proud of that. Tomorrow, I would go home and back to work. I doubted I’d see Trev much after that—unless Mom and Garrett got serious.

  Saxon waited until I unlocked the door and was inside before he left me. I didn’t know if he was going back to the party or not. I hadn’t asked. He had given me all his attention tonight, and I felt bad about monopolizing his time. But I was grateful for his company.

  Slipping off my heels, I started walking toward the kitchenette area to get a water when my eyes locked on something sitting on the dining table. I froze. My shoes fell from my hand and hit the floor with a clang. It echoed through the suite. The room blurred as the cold sweat of fear crawled over me. That wasn’t possible. There had to be another explanation.

  Slowly, I made myself walk to the table to be sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me. I couldn’t swallow. It was as if a hand had wrapped around my throat. There, on the wooden table, was something so small and inexpensive. I didn’t touch it. I stared down at the plastic gold ring and fake, large blue stone. It was a duplicate. The original I had thrown into the lake.

  Turning around quickly, I scanned the area. How had this gotten in here? My door was locked. I was in Kentucky. It was far from Miami, Florida, and the man who would have done this.

  “Tyde?” I called his name as nausea rolled through me.

  Nothing.

  Walking slowly through the suite, I began to open closet doors and look under furniture, in the shower, on the balcony. Each time thinking that would be the spot where he was hiding. And if it was, what would I do?

  There was no one here with me. Just the ring. I picked it up and walked to the trash can, throwing it away while shaking. There was no explanation that made sense other than Tyde had put it in here. But how had he gotten in here?

  The answer to how he had known where to find me was clear. He was stalking me. Even here. Watching me. We hadn’t left him behind. He hadn’t let me go, like Mom had thought he would. Deep down, I’d feared this.

  I went to get my phone to text Mom, but stopped when I reached it.

  This would ruin her night. The rest of her trip. She didn’t deserve that. No one was in the room with me. But someone had gotten in while I was gone. My gaze lifted to the door, and I ran to it, throwing the bolt that would keep out someone even if they had the key. Standing there, staring at it, I decided to check the suite one more time.

  Eight

  Trev

  I boarded the plane, barely glancing at Sax, who was already in a seat, drinking coffee. He looked refreshed, awake, and not even a little hungover. Asshole. Dropping into the seat facing him, I groaned and laid my head back closing my eyes.

  “Fun night?” Levi asked.

  I opened one eye and saw him grinning at me as he took a seat closer to the restroom.

  I grunted, which only caused him to laugh.

  “You were killing it on the dance floor. I think you had every woman at the party wet. Especially the married ones.”

  Sax chuckled. The only thing keeping me from putting my fist in his face was my pounding head. He was my best friend, but right now, I fucking hated him.

  “You danced some more last night?” Sax asked.

  “He closed down the party,” Levi replied.

  “I want to know if you fucked both those chicks you were with,” Kye said.

  I hadn’t realized he was on the plane already. Closing my eyes, I grunted again.

  Both of the girls had been asleep in my bed, naked, when I snuck out this morning. I’d stepped over six used condoms. What the fuck had I been thinking?

  “What about you, Sax? You took off with the hottest piece of ass there. Did you tap that?” Kye asked.

  My eyes snapped open then, and I glared at him. He was already looking at me, smiling as he sipped his fucking coffee. I was going to kill him.

  “No, Kye, I didn’t,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “I walked her to her suite. Told her good night. Then went back to my room, got a shower, and went to bed. Alone.”

  I dropped my head back again, relieved. If he’d fucked Gypsi, I wasn’t sure I could have recovered from that. Hell, she’d messed me up yesterday. Trying not to look at her and go to her had taken a lot of fucking whiskey and distractions. This morning, I felt like shit, but at least I’d managed to stay away from her last night.

  “That’s a fucking shame,” Kye said, taking a bottle of water from the bar and sinking down on one of the single leather chairs near a window. “Someone should have gotten a piece of that. We don’t know how long Garrett will keep her mom around. While she’s available—”

  “Shut up!” I growled, not wanting to think about any of them fucking her.

  A phone started ringing, and I winced. “Fuck, make that stop.”

  “It’s Garrett.” Sax sounded as confused as I was. “Sir?”

  I lifted my head to look at him. Why was Dad calling Sax? Levi and Kye were here. I was here.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll go straight there. Yes, sir.”

  Sax was frowning when he hung up and dropped his phone beside him. I sat there, waiting on an explanation. He just stared at me like he didn’t know what I fucking wanted.

  “You gonna tell us what that was about?” Levi asked.

  “Gypsi had to leave early this morning and couldn’t wait to fly back with us or Garrett and her mom. She got some cheap-ass flight and took an Uber to the airport at four this morning. Her mom said she left her a text, saying she needed to get back because of work. Fawn didn’t get it until this morning and it was too late. Garrett said Fawn was worried about her, and when we get back, he wants me to go to the coffee shop she works at, stay there until it’s time for her to leave, and drive her back home. Apparently, she walks to the coffee shop from their trailer.”

  They lived in a trailer? Did I know anyone who had ever lived in a trailer? Where had my dad found Fawn?

  More importantly, “Why the fuck is he asking you to do it?” I asked, in a worse mood than I had been in before.

  I was his fucking son. Why not me?

  Sax sighed. “We’re friends.”

  “I’m her fucking friend too. It’s all we can be as long as my dad is hooking up with her mom.”

  “No, Trev, you’re not. You spent yesterday with three different females. I spent it with Gypsi.”