Chaos Read Free

the times I acted like an overbearing asshole when we were
younger.”
    “Fine. Brett, be a dear and set me free. I’ll even help you
reattach him to the bed if you like. After all, I never did anything to you.”
    Brett couldn’t control his laughter as he lounged on the
windowsill. “You were right, Shane. This is worth getting up for. It’s better
than I could ever have imagined. I can’t wait to tell Jordan…”
    “No!” the pair said simultaneously.
    “You can’t! Kiley will start making plans for us and that’s
not what this is about.” Alyssa was frantic.
    “What is this about?” Brett wondered.
    “Sex,” Alyssa answered before Shane could. “Incredibly hot,
out of control, without a thought to the ramifications, sex.”
    “Please, Brett. You know they’ll make more out of this than
it is. Campini and I are having some fun. Call it insanity inspired by the
setting or the way she looked in that dress you’re holding or whatever else you
want. We were getting along since she was being soft and agreeable instead her
normally bristly self.” Shane grunted as Alyssa’s fist landed in his stomach.
“See? The moment’s already passed. There’s no need to get them stirred up over
something that clearly isn’t going to happen.”
    “Shut up, McKade,” Alyssa snarled at him.
    “Sounds like you both woke up on the wrong side of the bed
this morning,” Brett said, earning scowls from both. “You know you’ll both owe
me if I keep this to myself. I guess, at this point, I can just about name my
price.”
    “Come on, Brett,” Shane pleaded. “You’re going to set off
Campini’s perpetual bad mood and I was kind of hoping to convince her to stay a
little while longer.” He grinned at Alyssa and winked.
    “Oh for Pete’s sake, knock it off.” She rested her hand on his
chest without realizing it.
    Brett noticed and gave Shane a meaningful look. “Fine.” He
stood to hand Shane the key.
    “Grab me some sweats from the bottom drawer too please.”
Shane returned his look with a slight shrug. “Thanks.” He had them free and in one
motion, stood, pulling on his pants. “Can we impose on you for one more thing?
If it’s not asking too much, will you drop Campini’s dress off at the cleaner’s
near your house? That was one of her excuses for why she had to leave as soon
as you got us out of this.”
    “McKade,” Alyssa warned.
    “Sure, no problem,” Brett replied, wondering what he was up
to. “By the way, would either one of you care to explain the handcuffs?”
    “I, uh, was distracted and screwed up. I thought I had the
key in the nightstand.” Shane pushed him out of the room in front of him.
“Thanks for coming.” At the door, he added, “Seriously, will you keep quiet
about this? I’m not sure how we ended up here but I don’t want her hurt because
we did. You can tease me as much as you want just not in front of the
newlyweds.”
    “I guarantee I’ll never let you live this one down but give
me some credit. I have enough sense not to run my mouth, no matter how
priceless it is.” Brett shook his head and chuckled again. “You really will
have to tell me about it sometime, after you figure it out.” He raised his
voice, “Have fun, Alyssa. I’ll hang on to the key in case you need to call me
again.”
    Shane could hear her grumbling as Brett’s laughter followed
him down the hall. He was torn. Did he make coffee and talk to Alyssa as he
knew he should or did he take the easy way out and rejoin her in bed,
postponing the inevitable? Or should he be a complete coward and take her home,
avoiding the whole issue for now? Then again, maybe he’d have a stroke of luck
and Alyssa didn’t see their ending up in bed together as an issue. Shane
immediately dismissed his last thought. Knowing her, Campini would find
innumerable ways to complicate whatever was happening between them.
    “Uh-oh, you’re scowling and I wasn’t even in the room,”
Alyssa startled him out of