Going for the Hole

3. Ashley

3

ASHLEY

The second I saw everyone in the hotel lobby, my focus landed on Harper. She looked amazing in her off-the-shoulder, green silky blouse; it contrasted perfectly with her rosy skin tone and auburn hair. She met my gaze and shrugged. The other two bridesmaids, Sophia and Allie, were dressed in T-shirts that read Bridesmaid. It was obvious they’d planned the T-shirts without telling me or Harper.

Sophia had taken it hard that Olivia asked me to be her maid of honor, which was why she loved to throw me her uber b***h death glare as often as humanly possible. Under normal circumstances, I could get along with just about anyone, but Sophia and Allie were straight up she-devils from hell. I’d never come across two women who were so mean and spiteful. They needed a friend like Olivia to balance them out.

Harper walked away from the group and held out her arms. “Should we be offended?” she asked teasingly.

I hugged her and couldn’t help but laugh. “Not at all. We were part of the cool crowd in high school and college. Let them be miserable together.”

She burst out laughing. “They’ll grow up, one day. The stuck-up b***h act can only get you so far.”

“I hope so. I don’t understand how Olivia can be friends with them.”

She shrugged. “They were in the same sorority. Sisters for life.” Her eyes rolled, and she smiled. “I don’t give a rat’s a*s about loyalty. If I was ever in a sorority and my sisters were complete and utter thundercunts, I wouldn’t have been friends with them.”

“That’s why you have me.”

Wrapping her arm around my shoulders, she squeezed. “Exactly. I wouldn’t trade you for anything. Well, maybe for your Prada shoes I could be swayed to give you up . . .”

“Hey.” I pushed her playfully. “I’m never letting you borrow those again.” I snuck a glance over at Olivia and the others, at their carefree smiles. It was as if they didn’t have a worry in the world. They were about five years younger than us – still in college – and beautiful as ever with their perfectly applied makeup and manicured nails.

There’d been a time I was like that, but with all the hours I worked at the clinic, it was hard to find the time to let go. The second I took over my father’s practice, he’d stressed how important it was to keep a good reputation. Which meant no wild and crazy nights at the clubs, even if I was still single. Most of the guys I dated were in the medical field and had as much personality as a wet mop. My ex, Daniel, was a lawyer and somewhat normal, until of course I found out what a whoremonger he was. The man hid his philandering well. Guess that was why he made such a successful lawyer.

Olivia waved at me and rushed over, flinging her arms around my neck. Her dark hair hung down her back, all silky and smooth, while her blue eyes twinkled in the light. There was so much excitement on her face, I couldn’t help but smile. It filled me with happiness to know my brother found someone who loved him as much as she did. “You’re here. We’re going to have so much fun.”

“I’m counting on it,” I said, trying my best to share her enthusiasm.

She let me go and nodded toward the hotel bar. “Oh, I plan on making sure you do. Cameron said it’s been forever since you’ve been out on the town. Just because you’re a doctor now, doesn’t mean it has to control your life.”

I snorted. “Tell that to your future father-in-law.” As far as taking time off, my father didn’t mind stepping in at the practice to lend a helping hand. Even my mother would work the phones if we needed her to. She was so busy helping with the wedding, I’d barely spoken to her in days.

Winking, Olivia looped her arm with mine and we started toward the bar. Harper walked along beside us, while Sophia and Allie already had their drinks. “I will,” Olivia stated adamantly. “The same goes for Cameron too. I’m glad he’s out fishing with the guys. Seems like forever since he’s done anything like that.”

“True,” I agreed.

She patted my arm and let me go. “All right, you two,” she said, glancing back and forth from me to Harper. “Make sure to order whatever you want.” Opening her purse, she pulled out four room keys and handed two to me and the other two to Harper. “These are your room keys. I got everyone their own . . . you know, just in case.” She winked again and walked off to join the others at the bar.

Shaking my head, I slipped the keys into my purse. What the hell was she thinking? I wasn’t about to bring random men to my room.

Harper nudged me in the side. “Come on, let’s get a drink.”

“Does she really think we’re going to hook up with random men this weekend?”

We took a seat at the bar and she looked around, her eyes focusing on various guys throughout the room. She smiled and a snicker escaped her lips. “Don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a smorgasbord of hot, delectable men. Several of which seem to be missing a ring on a certain finger.”

The bartender came over and we ordered. My tequila sunrise was heavy on the liquor, but it tasted good. It was exactly what I needed. “Cameron wanted me to tell you hello for him. He said we need to do dinner.”

“Sounds good to me.” Her attention was on a man across the room, but then, she turned to me and took a sip of her b****y Mary. “We were the dynamic trio growing up. It’s funny how things change.”

Another large gulp of my drink and I could already feel it warming my insides. “Tell me about it. I used to think you two would get married.”

She coughed, her face turning red as she waved her hands in the air. “I love Cameron to death, but I think you know he’s not my type. I like my men more . . . rugged.”

It was true. Cameron had a pretty-boy vibe with an athletic build; he always kept his face nicely shaven and his clothes neat and pristine. It was the way we were raised. To always look presentable.

I snorted. “Yes, I know. My dad would’ve killed me if I came home with the men you’ve dated.”

She took another sip of her drink and moaned as it went down her throat. “Oh, mine wanted to, but there was nothing he could do about it.” She swiveled my chair around and whispered in my ear. “Sometimes you have to break the rules. You have to live your life on your own terms, not for those around you.”

“Girls,” Olivia called out.

I glanced back to find Sophia and Allie standing behind her, both ready to go, by the impatient looks on their faces.

Olivia walked up to us, grinning mischievously. “You guys up for a little action tonight?”

I had a feeling what that action was going to be. I couldn’t even pretend to be excited. “You’re talking about the club, aren’t you?”

She snickered. “Not just any club. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.” Her eyes twinkled. “Besides, my cousin will be there, and we all know he has a thing for you.”

Rhett Taylor. How could I forget him? I hadn’t seen him since Daniel and I broke up. He was in his mid-thirties, very handsome too, and the owner of the elusive club, Tryst. I’d never been club material, especially one that only let in elite members of society. If I didn’t know the owner, I doubt they’d even let me in.

Glancing down at my clothes, I sighed. “Olivia, I didn’t exactly bring anything to wear to Tryst.” It was one of the most popular clubs in the southeast, and just so happened to be a few miles down from the resort in the popular side of town.

She waved me off and winked. “No worries. I came prepared. In your suite, you’ll find a bag of goodies on your bed. It’s my thanks to you for putting up with me for the next week.”

“Oh God,” I groaned, nervous as hell to see what she’d gotten me.

Bursting with laughter, she turned on her heel and waved as she walked away. “Be ready in thirty. Rhett got us a limo. The girls and I will meet you and Harper out front.”

Harper giggled. “This is going to be fun. We have a limo, which means we can drink as much as we want.” Her smile was infectious.

“And why is it that every bad thing I’ve done in my life, I’ve done with you?”

She winked. “Because I’m a badass bitch.” Tipping back her drink, she finished it off. “However, it’s not like you’ve really done anything bad to begin with.”

“Hey,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “I tried w**d once.” Not one of my finer moments.

Harper burst out laughing. “Yeah, and you kept going to the bathroom, in fear that you were pissing on yourself.”

Cheeks flaming, I looked around to make sure no one heard her. “Not so loud. Someone might hear you.” There were three guys in the corner, staring at us with mischievous smiles. I had no doubt they just heard my embarrassing story. Needless to say, that night had been the first and last time I ever smoked m*******a.

Harper peered over at the men and smiled. “The one with the brown hair keeps looking at you. He’s hot as hell.”

Dying from embarrassment, I rolled my eyes. “Pretty sure he’s looking at you.” The bartender came over and Harper ordered us shots of whiskey. I tossed mine back and felt the burn as it slid down my throat. I needed some liquid courage, if I planned on making it through the night.

Harper moved closer and nudged me with her elbow. “Seriously, Ash, that guy is literally staring at you. I call dibs on the muscular hotness beside him.”

“You can have them all.” Before she could take her shot, I stole it from her and drank it.

Her grin widened and she laughed. “That’s what I’m talking about. Maybe you can get a little action tonight. How long has it been since you’ve had s*x?”

“Too long,” I confessed. “Not since Daniel.”

Harper snorted. “Such a douche.”

That he was, but I didn’t want to waste my time talking about him. We’d dated for three years and broken up about four months ago. I’d thought to surprise him at his law firm after leaving my clinic early, only to find him with his pants around his ankles, c**k-deep in his secretary. My anger at the whole scene had only abated weeks later, once I realized I hadn’t even been in love with him anymore.

“Our break up was the best thing that could’ve happened to me,” I said in all honesty.

She nodded and banged her hand on the bar. “Exactly. So tonight, we’re going to have fun. What happens here, stays here.”

“Easy for you to say, you’re allowed to do what you want.”

“So are you,” she countered. “Just because you’re a doctor with a prestigious last name doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. All you have to do is be someone else.” Nonchalantly, Harper peered over her shoulder and gasped lightly. “Uh-oh, Mr. s*x on a Stick and his delicious friends are on their way over. Use a different name. I’ll go along with it. You could use a good time.”

It had been way too long, but the thought of lying made me nervous. I didn’t know what to do. Hell, I’d never even had a one-night stand before. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and smiled as the whiskey warmed my skin. I could feel my cares slipping away.

“Good evening, ladies.” His voice sent shivers down my arms.

Turning around, my eyes went straight to his face. Harper shook his hand and said hello to the others, but I couldn’t take my attention away from the man before me.

His brown hair was short, but the perfect length to run my fingers through, and his eyes were a smoky gray. He reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t place him. All I could focus on was how sexy his smile was as he looked at me. It’d been a long time since someone looked at me like that.

I held out my hand and smiled, trying my best to lie convincingly. “Hi. I’m Sarah.”

His lips tilted slyly as he shook my hand. “Bryson. Nice to meet you.”