Page 6 of Wilde About You

"Shh, Noah's sleeping," I reminded her.

Gigi unfolded her long legs and thumped her feet hard on the ground before snatching up the empty wineglass. "I'm going to need another glass." She walked to the kitchen and poured more wine. She stayed in the same spot and downed it right there at the counter. "The least you could do is explain to me what the hell is on that camera that has you asking about locked doors and windows. I mean is some crazed mob boss gonna come knocking down my door?"

I laughed. "Mob boss? What century did you just step out of?"

"Oh, excuse me, but my best friend pushed inside my apartment looking as if the Texas chainsaw murderer was after her, so it has me, I don't know, wondering just what the hell is going on?"

"It's not a mob boss or a mass murder situation. I'll tell you more at some point. I just need to crash here tonight."

She sighed loudly. "Fine. But I hope you can sleep. I'm feeling wide awake now, so I'm going to wake Noah and well, things might get pretty wild. In fact, I'm going to cry out extra loud just to annoy you, bestie."

"Punishment accepted. Thanks again, Gi." The bedroom door snapped shut, presumably loud enough to wake her sleeping partner. I placed the pillow at the end of the sofa. Gigi was into mid-century modern so her couch was one of those sleek, hard sofas with big buttons all over the cushions. I wriggled and scooted between buttons as much as possible. I was still wearing the oversized sweatshirt. I considered taking it off but instead pulled it closer around me. I had no idea why but the stupid garment made me feel safer. I even shut my eyes for a second and imagined the hunky guy's arms still in it as I swaddled myself in the hoodie. He was definitely hot, and I was supremely grateful to the man for hiding me. I was sure my camera would've been lying in a million pieces on the cement if the handsome stranger hadn't stepped in to help. I might have been lying there as well.

It occurred to me that getting rid of the picture wouldn't erase the fact that I knew their very big secret. It was actually kind of sweet and sexy knowing that they had to behave like enemies when everyone was looking, but alone they were lovers. Only this time, they weren't alone. I'd intruded on their passionate, private moment, and now I had a photo that was going to make my career and hopefully a few bucks, too. The money mattered less than the notoriety, the recognition I'd finally get for my work. Dad would finally see that his only daughter could be as important as his sons.

I shoved the camera between me and the sofa. If they came for it, they'd have to drag me out with it. I stared up at the ceiling of Gigi's apartment and counted the water spots. She had a terrible landlord. My lids grew heavy as I considered what to do next. A safe deposit box for the photo, that was the last idea that floated through my mind as sleep started to tuck itself around me. I was almost down for the count when Gigi's cries of passion jarred me awake again. I lay there, staring at the water spots and listening to the sound effects of what must have been some amazing sex. I turned to my side and pulled the pillow over my head. Gigi mentioned something about Noah having a lot of stamina. I had a feeling I wasn't going to get much sleep tonight.

four

. . .

Colin

Ronan hadn't come home the night before, which wasn't unusual. He was spending more and more time at his girlfriend's house. Rachel had a little boy, Jack, who Ronan adored, and the feeling was mutual. Never in a million years would I have guessed that my wild, reckless twin would make great father material. My brother Jameson, too. Jameson had found out he was a dad when a former fling all but dropped the kid on his doorstep. Rio was in her teens now, and being the first girl in the family, we all loved and protected her as if she was our own. My gruff old man lit up whenever Rio walked into the room. And man, if she didn't have a big enough personality to keep all of us under her thumb.

I rummaged through a mostly empty fridge and realized my stomach was still trying to settle after the chili omelet I'd downed at midnight. I grabbed an ice pack for my knee and hobbled out to the living room. I'd managed to rent a pretty sweet apartment with all the money I made from sponsors, but my crash, especially after being in reach of a title, had caused a few to pull their contracts. Money was going to be tight, and there was a good chance I'd have to leave the nice apartment behind. Ronan was still rooming with me, but he didn't make enough money to pay half the rent. Besides that, I was sure he'd move out for good soon to be with Rachel and Jack.

My phone rang. I answered it. "Ace, buddy, talk to me. I'm having a shitty morning, so only talk if you've got something good to relay." Aside from Ronan and all my half-brothers, Ace was my best friend. We'd been on the same snowboarding circuit since we were teens. And while we were occasionally each other's fiercest competitor, we never let it get in the way of our friendship.

"Well, you are in luck, my friend, because I just snagged the family beach house for a month. Perfect place for you to recuperate and, at the same time, not recuperate too much. I'm thinking parties and hot women five maybe six nights a week. In between, we might even drag our pasty white asses down to the beach for some surfing. How's that for good news for your shit morning? Why are you already having a shit morning? It's only ten, and you're already hating life?"

I decided not to bring up last night and the weird chase for my sweatshirt. After I crashed on the mountainside last season, my best buddy had won the contest. I didn't want to bring up my knee. He told me he'd been twisted with guilt about that win because he knew I'd been on the way to victory.

"That's fucking awesome news, Ace, but I'm flat broke. Sponsors are drying up fast."

"Then you're in luck because you don't need to bring anything but your clothes, your surfboard and that Wilde charm that lures all the girls to the door."

"What you're saying is you're using my family connections to get laid. I'm down for it. When do we leave?"

"Two hours?"

"Sounds good."

"Woo-hoo! Gonna be a fucking month-long party." He hung up. I loved Ace, but a month with him in a beach house would probably be two weeks too long. I'd drive my own truck out to the beach, so I could leave when he got on my nerves. He was a little too upbeat these days for me. His sponsorships soared just as mine took a dive. I was happy for him, but it was hard to listen to him bragging about all the cash and offers flowing in. Last week, he got a seven-figure deal to film a commercial for some kind of super spicy kettle chips. He spent the rest of the day looking at expensive cars. And the most annoying thing about all of it was Ace's family was rich. Not mega, private-jet rich but rich enough to own a cool fucking beach house and a giant mountain cabin.

My phone rang again. "Yeah?" I answered thinking he was calling me back.

A tongue clicked loudly. "Is that any way to answer a phone, young man?" Rio chirped through the speaker. Lately her voice was cracking as her little girl tone was being replaced by a much older sound. I was already missing the little kid tone. "Anyhow, I'm in a bit of a pickle, and I need your help."

It was impossible not to smile when talking to Rio. I rested back against the couch cushion. "Is that right? How can I help with this pickle?"

"Well, Charlotte Moore, most popular girl in school, is having a meetup at the park. And as hard as I worked for an invitation, I didn't get one."

"I already hate her."

"See, me too, only I'd do anything to be her friend." Rio grew quieter. "Is that stupid?"

"Nah, I get it. It's been a few centuries, but I was once your age, remember? What do you need me to do?"