Ruthless knight

Cole

“According to my research, there’s only been one recorded hurricane in March,” Oakley says from the backseat of Jace’s car. “Back in 1908.” 

“Thirty-two more fucking hours,” Jace mutters, his hand clenching the steering wheel. 

We’ve already been in the car for six. 

Apparently it takes almost two days to drive from California to North Carolina. 

However, I didn’t want to take a chance on not getting a flight out at all, so Jace and Oakley offered to split the drive with me. 

And by offered—I mean they bitched that I’d run myself off the road driving straight through without any sleep, so they begrudgingly came with.   

By the time I make it to Knightdale, the reception will almost be over. 

But I’ll be there, and that’s all that matters.

“You’re supposed to be sleeping, Oak,” Jace reminds him. “Not reading hurricane facts on your phone.” 

Oakley brings his blunt to his lips and inhales. “I told you I wanted the first shift since I’m a night owl, but no, you—”

“Thirty-two more hours,” Jace repeats, glaring at me. “You fucking owe me.” 

 

“I need to take a piss,” Oakley says. “Pull over.” 

Fuck that. He should have peed at the last stop. I can’t afford to lose any more time. 

We only have five more hours until we’re there. 

I slam my foot on the gas. “No. We stopped three hours ago.”

“Three hours is a long ass time, man,” he whines. “Come on, dude. Have a heart.” 

I do have a heart…and right now, it’s in North Carolina. 

Last time I spoke to Sawyer, she said her flight landed safely, but her sister’s outdoor wedding needed to be moved inside and she was having a bridezilla meltdown about it. 

Shortly after that, she rushed off the phone. 

I was going to tell her I was on my way there, but I didn’t want to, A—freak her out about me driving through a hurricane. 

And B—ruin the element of surprise. 

It’s worked well for me in the past—namely the time I pulled Izzy’s head off and asked her to be my girlfriend—and I don’t want to ruin my track record. 

I might be the shittiest boyfriend in the world, but if there’s one thing I know how to do well in our relationship…it’s woo her.

And from this day forward, I will always woo her when she least expects it. 

A groggy Jace passes Oakley an empty water bottle. “Piss in here.” 

“If you think any part of my dick will fit in there, you are sorely mistaken, my friend.” 

Jace looks at me. “Pull over so he can pee.” 

“It’s called aim, motherfucker,” I grit through my teeth.

“Fine, but if I get piss all over Jace’s leather—”

“Pull over, Cole,” Jace growls. “Now.” 

Grinding my molars, I veer to the right and slam on the brakes. “If you’re not done in one minute, I’m leaving your ass on the side of the road.”

Oakley looks around. “Where are we? You know…just in case?” 

Jace’s lips twitch. “Knoxville, Te

“Nuh-uh,” Oakley argues. “Leave my ass somewhere else.” 

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jace gripes. “Get out of the damn car before Cole has an aneurysm.”

“Fine.” Oakley looks at me. “But don’t you leave me here, Covington. I know where you live.” 

Closing my eyes, I force myself to remain calm and not throttle my best friend. 

I’m coming, Bible thumper. 

Eventually. 

 

“Tropical storm,” Oakley declares from the back seat. “Like I tried to tell you mofos, hurricanes in March don’t happen. With the exception of 1908, of course. You should have just taken the flight.”

Jace and I exchange an irritated glance. 

We’ll be arriving in Knightdale in forty minutes. Now is not the time for shoulda-coulda-woulda. 

“Now a tornado, on the other hand,” Oak continues. “That could happen. In fact, there was a deadly outbreak of them back in nineteen eighty—”

“Should we duct tape his mouth shut?” Jace grunts. 

“I vote we put him in the trunk.”

Oakley sits up in his seat. “My incisors are sharper than a vampire’s. Not only will I scream stranger danger, I will gnaw your arms off.” 

Jace turns around in his seat. “His incisors look normal to me. I say we do it, then bury him in the desert on the way back.” 

Oakley smiles arrogantly. “Go ahead. But have fun explaining my disappearance to Dylan.” 

Jace contemplates this before he turns back around. “Can’t hurt him. Dylan will go postal.” He checks his watch. “How much longer before we arrive at the venue?” 

I swallow hard. I have no fucking idea.  

“What venue?”  

“The venue where the reception is?” 

“Yeah, about that…” 

I remember Sawyer talking about the wedding once, but she was wearing a low-cut sweater and my focus was elsewhere. 

Jace’s nostrils flare. “You don’t know where the reception is?” 

“No.” Fetching my phone from my pocket, I toss it to Oakley. “Here, Wikipedia. Make yourself useful and start calling around.” 

“Well, well, well,” Oakley sings. “Look who needs my help now.” 

 

“Fucking hell,” I roar. “Will you stop that?”

It’s a lot harder to shave in a car than I thought. 

Especially when Jace keeps hydroplaning all over the goddamn road. 

“I can’t stop mother nature, jackass.”

Oakley sighs. “Should have just taken the flig—”

“Would you shut up!” we both scream at the same time. 

We are three minutes away from being at the hotel and I am done with Oakley’s I told you so’s. 

Everything will be perfect. 

I’m go

She’ll be so taken aback by my woo, tears will spring to her eyes and she’ll offer to blow me in the bathroom. 

But because I’m a gentleman…I won’t let her. 

I’ll tell her she can do it after the reception. 

“Where’s my tie?” I growl. 

“You didn’t bring one,” Oakley answers. “But don’t worry, I did.” 

“Why the hell did you bring a tie?” Jace questions. 

“Hot bridesmaid sex.” 

Jace looks like he’s trying his hardest not to laugh. “Hot bridesmaid sex with who?”

He shrugs. “Whoever wants the D. I’m not picky.”

That’s when I realize. “You are not crashing the wedding, motherfucker.” 

Hell, I don’t even think I’m invited at this point. 

“The fuck I’m not.” He looks around the car. “I’ve been trapped in this prison for over thirty hours. I’m getting me some hot southern bridesmaid pussy.” 

“Just let him do what he does,” Jace says. “The important thing is that you are going to make it in time to be there for the end of the reception.” 

He’s right. 

I snatch the tie. “Fine. But don’t do anything to embarrass Sawyer or me. Get your pussy and get out.” 

“Deal.” 

A moment later, Jace pulls up in front of the hotel. “You go in and get your girl. I’m go

My heart hammers in my chest as I make my way inside…with Oakley in tow. 

I have no idea what to say when I see her. 

Which seems pretty damn important in order to woo. Whatever. I’m sure it will come to me.