He has a bandana covering his disheveled hair now, the dark red tails long. Between it and the mask, he doesn’t look anything like Adams North tonight. But even disguised, I have no idea how I didn’t recognize him that night in their dressing room. His full lips and ocean eyes. I fell for his voice and words before the rest avalanched, but his eyes I worried I wouldn’t recover from months after I left him behind.

“Please tell me one of you has a joint,” a blonde nurse says. She stops beside me out of necessity, although I’m not sure she notices with Colton and Foster in front of us. The length of her skirt puts mine to shame, and one wrong move with her top threatens a nip-slip.

Colton glances at Foster before he slides on the good ol’ boy accent. “Sorry, kitten. All out.”

“I’m sure you could make it up to me … someway.” She looks between the two of them, seemingly weighing her options. She moves closer once she’s decided on the pirate. I hate how my grip tightens on my cup.

My gaze flits away, only the tug of Foster has it returning a second later. He’s staring into his beer, free hand held out toward his best friend. Colton curses and fishes in his pocket, then he slaps cash into Foster’s waiting palm and sighs at the nurse.

“You picked the wrong dude, kitten. He’s not interested, and I’m petty. So as much as I need to fuck someone, it will not be you.” He smiles at her, closed-lipped, and as he said, petty. Even his accent lightened.

“Whatever.” She throws me an unnecessary mean-girl scowl before walking away.

“I hate you, Pirate,” Colton says. Then he explains to me, “We have a continuing bet to see who gets more fuck me eyes. This douche canoe only wins because…” He shrugs and waves a hand for me to fill in the rest.

“Ah, but I’m just a pirate tonight.” Foster pockets the money. “Time to admit defeat, lil bro.”

Colton shakes his head. “Not a chance. Don’t forget, I pull dick far better than you.”

Foster smirks, about to take a drink. “I don’t like dick.”

“Eye-fucking is eye-fucking for the bet. You’re the one paying me most of the time with dudes.” He starts to drink, too, but then pulls his cup away at the last second. “You know what? I’m replacing you as my best friend.” He nudges me. “You’re in, kid.”

I nod once. “Best friends for life, Vampire.”

“I’ll give her my half of the heart necklace,” Foster deadpans, unfazed by the loss.

Colton tips his chin toward a guy by the window, wearing an open black robe and a rosary that hangs down his bare chest. “Wingman me, bestie. I’m going to fuck that hot priest.”