Reed opened his eyes and stretched while he yawned. “Hey, dude. Where in the fuck have you been? You left without telling anyone.”

I just stood there, staring at him. I shook my head and looked back at Kevin, who was now starting to wake up.

“How in the hell did you get into my house, you asshole?”

Reed looked at me funny. “You gave me a key months ago, dude.”

Motherfucker. I forgot I’d given him a key right after Mike had died, only to appease everyone who thought I was going to hurt myself after Mike’s death and Olivia leaving me.

“The alarm?”

“Dude, I’ve watched your fucking dogs when you went out of town. You told me your code. What in the hell, Layton?”

“What if I had brought someone back here with me? And I’ve got two of my damn friends fucking sleeping in my living room?”

Reed stood and laughed. “Yeah, like you’d bring someone like Misty back to your house. Don’t think so, Layton. You’re not that kind of guy.”

Shit. Now, I really feel like a royal asshole. “You still haven’t answered me. Why are you both in my house, asleep in my living room?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

Kevin stood and smiled as he walked over and slapped me on the back. “Dude, I wanted to get up and take a ride on the ranch before it got too hot. It makes me feel closer to Mike, ya know?”

My heart slammed in my chest. “Fine. I’m exhausted, and I’ve had to deal with not only one crazy woman today but three, so if y’all will excuse me, I’m going to bed. Help yourself to the guest bedrooms or stay out here. I don’t care.” I turned and started back toward my bedroom.

“Hey, Layton, speaking of women, what’s with Whitley and Courtney? They open, or you got dibs on one?” Kevin asked.

I turned around to see Reed staring at Kevin.

“What? Which one are you interested in, dude?” Reed asked as he looked at Kevin.

Oh, fucking great. First, Richard, and now, these two.

Kevin smiled and looked at Reed. “Which one are you interested in?”

Reed quickly looked at me and then back at Kevin. “Fuck…neither one. I mean, I think Layton here has got his eye on Whitley, and Courtney seems like a snobby dick-tease from what Bill said.”

Wait—what?

Kevin glanced at me and then back toward Reed. He threw his head back and laughed. “Dude, I’m interested in the dick-tease. That long blonde hair of hers had me hard all night.”

I noticed Reed tense up. Interesting.

I turned and walked away. “For the record, I don’t have my eye on Whitley. I’m not interested in dealing with women and all their fucking problems, their neediness, and just their damn moods in general.”

I heard both Kevin and Reed laugh.

Right before I shut my door, Kevin called out, “Okay, dude, you keep telling yourself that.”

I walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist. I was so damn tired, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep well if I hadn’t taken a shower before bed.

As I bent over to pick up my jeans, I heard my phone go off. I reached into my pocket and took it out. I had a few text messages. I swiped my finger over the screen and tapped on the Messages icon. My heart started beating when I saw I had two messages from Olivia. Then, I noticed that I also had one from Whitley.

I tapped Olivia’s message and closed my eyes before reading it.

Olivia: Layton, I’m really worried about you. I saw how you were hanging all over Misty. Baby, please don’t do this to yourself. Let’s talk. I’ll be up late. Call me.

Olivia: Baby, please…I really need to talk to you. Seeing you today did something to me. I miss you, Layton. I just want to talk to you. Call me as soon as you can. I still love you, Layton. I always will, baby.

I dropped the phone to the floor, sat down on the bed, and placed my face into my hands as I began to cry.

Why is she doing this to me? And just when I felt like I was getting over her. Why is she doing this?

I wasn’t sure how long I’d sat there and just cried like a pansy-ass. I leaned down and picked up my phone. I was just about to tap on Olivia’s message to reply when I remembered Whitley had sent a text also. I backed out of Olivia’s message and opened up Whitley’s. For some reason, my heart started beating faster at the idea of her sending me a text.

She probably just texted to call me an asshole again. Either that, or she is going to tell me to fuck off again. I should have never given her my cell number on the paper that had Jacks number on it.

Whitley: Hey, Layton, it’s Whitley. I know it’s late, and I hope this doesn’t wake you up. If it does, then shit, I’m so sorry. Anywho, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry for the way I acted earlier. I’m not really sure what in the hell came over me. What you do and whom you do it with is none of my business. You were so kind to me today…well, for the most part, you were kind to me…and for me to have acted like that was a real bitch move. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I hope you’ll forgive my brass, New York–bitch attitude.

I couldn’t help but smile at her message. I read it again and shook my head.

Damn that girl is cute as a button. She’s the only girl who has ever driven me insane with anger and lust at the same damn time.

Lust? Oh no, Layton. Don’t even go there. Whitley is just…CG. That’s all. Totally not interested.

I hit the screen, and my keyboard popped up. I smiled as I began typing my reply to Whitley.

Layton: Hey, CG. You’re up late, girl. I thought women liked to get their beauty sleep, and here you are, texting me at three in the morning. And please…don’t apologize for speaking the truth.

I hit Send, and I started to get up to get some boxer shorts when my phone chimed again. I smiled when I saw Whitley’s name.

Whitley: That’s just a myth—that whole women-need-so-many-hours-for-their-beauty-sleep bullshit. It takes more than sleep to get me to look somewhat beautiful. I’m exhausted though, but I can’t put down this fucking book that Courtney is forcing me to read. Have I mentioned that I hate reading?

I laughed as I read her reply. I quickly opened my top drawer, pulled out a pair of boxers, and slipped them on. I walked over and plugged my phone in. I crawled into bed and then started to type back my reply.

Layton: Trust me, CG, you don’t need anything to make you beautiful. You’re naturally beautiful. So, tell me…how exactly is Courtney forcing you to read this book? It must be good if you can’t put it down.

I paused for a second before hitting Send. After sending it, I sat there, like an idiot, hoping she would text back. I closed my eyes and felt myself drifting off to sleep. My phone beeped in my hand and scared the shit out of me.

Whitley: Well, where do I start? First, thank you for the sweet compliment. What do you want? That felt like you were kissing up for something. Second, Courtney and I made a bet. I don’t like losing. Hence…I’m reading.

Layton: Learn to take a compliment, CG. I know it’s hard for you Northerners. I’m intrigued by this bet. What are the deets on it?

Whitley: Sorry. Thank you, cowboy, for the compliment. You’re not so bad on the eyes either, if we’re being honest. As far as the bet goes…um…pass. I don’t think you want to hear the details of it. It’s kind of…embarrassing.

Layton: Ah hell, Whit. Now, I have to know. Come on, tell me. I won’t be able to sleep because I’ll be thinking about it, and I need my beauty sleep.

Whitley: LOL! Okay…but you have to promise to never utter a word of this to anyone. Promise?

Layton: Promise and cross my heart!

I sat up in bed and watched my phone, like an idiot. My phone beeped, and I just opened up the message. My smile faded when I saw it was a message from Olivia.

Olivia: I guess I’m not going to hear from you tonight. I’m going to bed. I hope you are okay. Please call me, Layton.

How does she do it? Right when I’m feeling good, she sucks it away. I hit Reply and started typing.

Layton: I’m exhausted, Olivia, and I don’t really want to talk to you. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business. Worry about your fiancé. I’m sure he wouldn’t like knowing you are texting your ex at three in the morning. I’m turning off my phone.

My phone beeped again with another message from Olivia.

Olivia: You’re grumpy. I’ll call you tomorrow, babe. Night!

What in the hell?

My phone went off again, and I opened up Whitley’s text.

Whitley: Okay, well…Courtney thinks I’m crazy because I don’t get pulled into this world of hers filled with books and book boyfriends. She bet she could give me a book to read that would have me…um…well, it would have me…shit. I don’t even really know you, Layton!

I smiled because I could just picture the blush on her cheeks. I was just about to start typing my reply, but I thought this one needed to be told over the phone. Plus, for some reason, I really wanted to hear her voice, so I called her instead.

“Hello?” Whitley answered.

“Hey, I hope it’s okay I called you, but I’m getting tired of typing.”

Good excuse, Layton!

“Oh Christ, Layton! I can’t tell you over the phone. It’s embarrassing. Just forget I even brought up the book.”

I smiled as I thought about her sitting in her bed. I wondered what kind of clothes she wore to sleep in. I pictured her in a T-shirt and panties.

Fuck. I had to adjust myself from just thinking about it. Just friends, Layton.

“Come on, CG. Just tell me. It can’t be that bad.”

She let out a sigh. “Fine. She bet me she could have me read a book that was so hot that I’d be reaching for a vibrator. There—I said it.”

What in the fuck did she just say? Vibrator? Holy hell.

“Motherfucker, Whitley. I was not expecting that.”

She let out a laugh. “I’m sorry, but you asked.”

“So…has it?” I asked with a smile.

“What?”

“Has it?” I repeated, knowing damn well she’d heard me the first time.

“Has it, what?”

“The book, Whitley…has it turned you on enough to have you reaching for your vibrator?”

Oh my God. Just talking to her about this had me wanting to take myself in my own hand. What in the hell is this girl doing to me?

“I don’t even own one!”

Damn.

“Courtney bought me one though and left it by the Kindle.”

She’s trying to kill me.

I had to pull the phone away and take a deep breath. “You still haven’t answered me, Whit,” I said, grinning.

“Do you really want to know, Layton?” she asked with a purr.

Yep…she’s fucking trying to kill me. Act cool, Layton. You’re not interested in her. Just friends…talking about…orgasms with vibrators.

I took a deep breath before answering. “Yeah, I’m curious.”

“Well…it’s getting pretty hot. I’m thinking I might have to…you know…”