“Just for a couple of drinks,” Liam says, grinning. “Come on. You can make sure we order the best beers. We’re counting on you.”

My phone buzzes. Teagan. But once again it’s not, and when I see the text, my stomach sinks.

Sabrina: Does she know we slept together?

I darken the screen before the curious eyes around me can read it. I feel this whole charade falling apart. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I need to talk to Teagan so we can figure out a plan. She’s already pushing me away. What happens when she finds out I had a one-night stand with her cousin? Will she shut down, stop this between us before we even get a real chance to start? Should we tell Sabrina the truth to keep this from imploding on us? Tell her Teagan and I weren’t exclusive back when Sabrina came to town? At the very least, we need to get our stories straight.

“What do you say?” Liam asks. “Join us?”

I slide my phone back into my pocket as it buzzes again, just as Rich returns to the party and takes Teagan by the arm. My whole body goes into battle mode.

Don’t fucking touch her.

“Everything okay, Carter?” Liam asks.

“Yeah. I think so. I’ll be right back.”

“Carter,” Rich calls when he spots me walking toward them. He waves me over. “Just the man I want to see.”

I watch Teagan’s posture beside this man she loathes, a study in casual grace. Is she trying to pretend that he doesn’t bother her for the sake of the rest of the party? I know she doesn’t want anything to do with Rich—or so she says—but then, she couldn’t keep her eyes off him tonight. What’s that about? And why has she kept me at an arm’s length all afternoon? Did something happen between them?

“What did you think of the gift I left you two earlier?” He beams, bright eyes and a wide smile, as if he’s truly our friend.

“What gift?”

Rich looks at Teagan and cocks a brow before looking back at me, confused. “You haven’t been to your room?”

I fold my arms. I don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about, but I have a feeling that if I admit that, it’ll be some giant gotcha. “Did you need something, Rich?”

He shakes his head slowly. “You two are really something. I’m starting to figure out what that something is.” He smacks me on the back—harder than necessary. “Are you going out tonight? You should be there for Teagan’s future brother-in-law. That’s what Teagan’s boyfriend would do, right?”

I try to catch Teagan’s eye to get some sort of feel from her about how I’m supposed to handle all of this, but she’s still staring at the ground. Did she tell him this is all fake? Why won’t she look me in the eye?

Dammit. I need to talk to her. Alone. I need to tell her about Sabrina so we can decide how to deal with it. Together. Our lies are crumbling beneath our feet, and with them, the fragile beginnings of this thing between us.