** ** ** ** **

“Where were you this afternoon?” Asked Kennedy. “When I went to your room earlier no one answered.” She was seated next to me at our round dinner table with Dane on her other side.

I sipped my water, and angled my body so that I could talk to her while I had the chance. Dane was deep in conversation with Reid, so I had a few minutes before he demanded Kennedy’s attention away from everyone else.

“I went to the beach, and then took a nap. I think something we ate on the plane made me sick.”

I’d been feeling nauseas all afternoon, and only felt slightly better after sleeping for an hour before we came to dinner. I must’ve looked like I was sulking for some reason, but I couldn’t be bothered with idle conversation. I had no idea what was going on with me. Maybe it was because all these couples surrounded me, or maybe it was seeing Reid with Stella. They were seated next to Dane, and from my peripheral I could make out that Stella was scowling at the side of Reid’s head while he was talking to Dane. Bitch hated being ignored – I knew that much – and made it clear to everyone that she preferred having Reid’s attention all to herself. I’d never been able to picture him with someone like her, although I suspected that had more to with being unable to picture him with anyone who wasn’t me.

“Did you take something for it?”

Kennedy brought me back from my mindless musings, and I patted her leg in reassurance. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure whatever it is will pass by morning.”

The chair on my other side shifted, and I looked up to see Grady holding three very colorful cocktails. He took a seat, and passed one to Kennedy, before handing the second to me, and taking the third for himself.

“What are we drinking?” I asked, eyeing the multitude of colors swirling around in the tall, curvy glass.

Grady grinned, his eyes bright with mischief. “I had these made for us – that barman is so hot by the way – and have aptly named it the ‘Cabo Cock’.”

“How appropriate,” I snickered. Kennedy coughed, and wiped her mouth. “Considering the only two people at this table who aren’t getting any cock are you and me.”

“Oh baby girl, I got the barman’s digits,” he winked. “Looks like you’re the only one not getting any at this table.”

“Speaking of,” intercepted Kennedy. “Where are Ash, and Chase?”

She gave me a look that said her interruption was for my benefit, and I was silently grateful. I didn’t need a reminder that I was here as a ‘singular’.

“Ugh,” groaned Grady. “Probably upstairs fucking like horny little rabbits.”

My eyes bugged out and Kennedy spluttered, “What?!?!”

Grady covered his mouth, and muttered “Oops” behind his hand.

“I thought you guys knew,” he said, looking between Kennedy and me.

“NO!” I replied. “When did that happen?”

“Started up a few weeks ago.” Grady looked up, and his mouth tipped into a wicked smile. “And speak of the two little devils now.”

Kennedy and I swiveled our heads just as Chase and Ashley were walking towards our table. She was in front of him, but judging from their flushed faces, and disheveled appearances they were in fact upstairs...

“Sorry I’m late,” said Ashley. “I overslept after my afternoon siesta.”

“Sure you did,” replied Grady, which earned him a slap on his arm from Chase as he took a seat next to his brother. “Ouch, you asshole. What was that for?”

Chase glared at Grady, and there was some kind of silent conversation going on between the two of them. Ashley took the only open seat opposite me – between Chase and Stella - and started fiddling with her napkin. I wasn’t surprised that something had been going on between the two of them. After Chase had sorted his hormones out, and gotten over what he thought he felt for Kennedy, he’d started hanging out with us a lot more, and watching a few interactions between him and Ashley, I predicted it was just a matter of time before they decided to put all that sexual tension to good use.

What I didn’t understand was why they kept it a secret.

With our table complete, everyone in our group slipped into conversation, like they always did when we were all together. The only person who looked bored and uninterested was Stella. Then again, she always looked like she’d eaten shit for breakfast – her face had a permanent scowl, unless she was hanging all over Reid. Then she just looked like a desperate hooker.

“Keep staring at Reid and the Hobbit will hack you into pieces in your sleep tonight,” muttered Kennedy.

My brows dipped into a frown. “I wasn’t staring.”

“You kinda were,” said Grady.

Jesus. Was I that obvious? I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring until Kennedy and Grady had pointed out. Luckily Stella was too busy whispering something into Reid’s ear to notice, so I was safe from her incessant need to kill me. For now.

We ordered dinner, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating. The food was incredible, and even after having sushi for a light starter I still put a good dent in my main course. It wasn’t until dessert that I started to feel like I’d eaten too much. I sat back in my chair, and rubbed my hands over my flat stomach.

“I think we should all go for a swim,” said Kennedy. “It’s still early enough.”

“Anything to see you in a bikini, Kitten,” replied Dane. He leaned down and kissed that spot below her ear, causing her to giggle. It was both sweet and sickening to watch, really. She was so happy, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving, but I found myself feeling a little envious too.

Despite what people thought I wasn’t a hussy. I’d only ever slept with three guys, one of which was Reid. I hadn’t been with anyone else since him, and I worried that it would take me months, or even years to have the courage to date.

“I could use a cool down,” I said, pushing my plate away. “This heat is going to drive me up the wall.”

I was sweating, and it was one of the most unattractive things to have happen, but the hot sticky air clung to my skin and a swim actually sounded perfect. I could find a corner to sit in, away from my horny, over-affectionate friends that had a hard time being decent in public.

And I can avoid seeing Reid and Stella.

“Well what the fuck are we waiting for you skinny bitches, let’s get going.”

I laughed at Grady’s unfiltered comment. He had an uncanny ability to say the crudest thing in the funniest way, and let’s face it, some things don’t seem as offensive coming from a gay guy.

He took my hand, and helped me from my chair.

“C’mon, sweet cheeks, let’s go before these freaks start giving the other guests a fucking sex show.”

He dragged me away from our table, and I almost tripped going up the stairs.

“Dios Mio, Grady, what’s the damn hurry?”

The elevator doors opened just as we reached them, and he pulled us inside before our friends could catch up.

“The hurry,” he said, banging on our floor button, “is that you need to look shit hot so that Reid will come to his fucking senses and ditch that hobbit. Bitch has been trying to kill you with her squint eyes all night, and I had to stop myself from flying across that table to slap her to Siberia.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed. “Reid seems to be into her, so why should I care?”

He looked at me incredulously, and when the elevator doors chimed, he pulled me to our room. “Reid has been seduced by her hobbit vagina, and he needs to see that the person he belongs with is actually a hot, stubborn Spanish babe. Now tell me you brought a sexy as fuck bikini, or else I’ll send you down there in your birthday suit.”

I sighed. “I don’t want to cause drama, Grady. I’d rather just avoid them altogether. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if I stayed right here.”

He rested his hands on my bare shoulders and shook me. “What is going on with you right now my tootsie roll? Where’s the feisty Jade that never backed down from a challenge? Where’s the girl who was ready to spit fire at anyone who even thought of crossing her?”