Page 54 of The Attack Zone

“Who wants to get a Puerto Rican hat?” I ask, motioning to the local hat maker I already researched down the street. Thank god I saw it out of the corner of my eye.

“Won’t we look a little ridiculous?” Caleb asks.

“Nah, I look great in hats,” Matti says proudly. The dude would probably look good in anything with his Finnish genes, but I’ll take it.

We each get fitted for our custom hats and walk across the street to snap a photo. I share it to my Instagram story and send it off to the group chat. Stacey sends me a separate text.

Stacey: I shockingly don’t hate the hat.

Mitch: Maybe you just don’t hate me anymore.

Stacey: Maybe ... I’m still deciding.

Mitch: Whatever you say, love. What are you guys up to?

Stacey: Check out the view from this rooftop!

Then a photo comes through. It’s a selfie of Stacey in a hot tub, the top of her chest peeking out from her bikini. Her hair is slicked into a high ponytail so I can see the strings of her suit are tied loosely around her neck.Jesus Christ.There aremountains somewhere in the background, I’m sure, but I’m not able to look past Stacey and actually see the view she mentioned.

Mitch: You’re stunning.

Stacey: That’s not the view I was talking about. And you’re making me blush over here.

Mitch: Good. It’s payback for making me horny when I’m thousands of miles away from you.

I’ve actually been horny this entire trip; not that I’d tell Stacey that. Ever since she sent that photo from her car the other day, I’ve wanted nothing more than to figure out how to fuck her as soon as possible. Of course I’m having fun with the guys, it’s been a blast. But I’m ready to get back to Colorado in a couple of days and do very naughty things to my ... whatever she is to me.

Deep down, I know I have too much energy. I know I’m talking a lot and too fast when we’re out to eat. I’m not needing as much sleep as normal, and the other night I got us lost because I wasn’t being careful. I know what all of this means, but when life feels this good, I don’t want it to stop. So I follow King down the sidewalk, and when we happen upon a nightclub that Caleb actually wants to go into, I don’t say no like I should. Instead, I lead the way to the dance floor. Staying up until three in the morning might be a mistake, but that’s a problem for Future Mitch. Present Mitch is too busy having fun.

CHAPTER 27

STACEY

THE NEXT DAY

We’ve been in the mountains, holed up in a cabin for days, and while it’s been wonderful to have so much time with Cassie before her wedding, I’ve been itching to get her out on the town. She deserves to let loose like the guys are down in Puerto Rico. It looks like they’ve been having a blast from the photos Mitch has been sending me. I love Colorado and I love the mountains in the summer, but I would kill to be sitting on a beach drinking a piña colada all day like he has been. So when Cassie finally relented and said she’d be down for a low-key bar in a nearby town, I may have jumped at the chance.

We’re sitting at a booth in the corner of a quiet, somewhat dive-y bar on Main Street. I forced everyone to wear black aside from Cassie, who very begrudgingly wore a white dress and a tiara that says bride. My black jumpsuit is one of my favorite items of clothing, and it reminds me of the jumpsuit I wore the night Mitch and I hooked up for the first time. Ireach into my purse to sneak a look at my phone. I’ve tried to be present for Cassie, but I keep finding myself glancing at it to see if I have a message. It’s very weird and very much not like me. Maybe I’m just worried about them being so far away and not being able to speak Spanish? That could be it, right?

I don’t have any messages, but I decide to snap a selfie to send to Mitch anyway. Fuck it, I look good tonight, and no one needs to know who I’m sending it to. My hair is pulled into a high bun and my eye makeup is extra smokey and sexy. It’s exactly the kind of look that I know drives Mitch crazy. I send the photo and follow it up with a text.

Stacey: Finally got Cassie to go out.

Three dots appear and disappear a few times before my phone buzzes.

Mitch: Fuck me, love. You look incredible.

Stacey: What are you guys up to?

A photo of Mitch in a summery button-up and his hat comes through.

Mitch: Gambling away my entire salary at the casino.

Mitch: Just kidding.

Stacey: I hope you’re kidding. I know how much you make. You’d have to be really bad to lose that much in one night.

Mitch: I’m actually doing pretty well tonight. Check your Venmo.