I needed to tell her about Jax.

Her chest rose and fell quickly, and she swallowed, clearly nervous. Like a deer in headlights. My stomach tightened, and I just wanted to take her out of there now. This was a bad idea.

“Tate, are you okay?” I kept my voice soft, but I was afraid she’d haul off and break my nose this time instead of Madoc’s like she did here a year ago.

She narrowed her eyes as she looked around, and then she just shook her head. “Yeah, I need a drink.” I didn’t believe her, but the corners of my mouth turned up anyway.

Tough girl.

We squeezed through a throng of people coming out of the kitchen as Adrenalize by In This Moment blasted throughout the house. Madoc was already making drinks, and I watched as Tate took the one he offered.

I was the designated driver tonight—well, pretty much any night, since I barely drank in public—and I definitely didn’t plan on staying here long anyway. I just stood there, trying not to laugh as she choked down the dark liquid.

Madoc grinned from ear to ear as she tipped her chin up, swallowed the last of her drink and then threw the cup into the sink.

She coughed into her hand, and all I could do was hold her waist, letting her get comfortable. She should have fun. I didn’t want her nervous or scared that a prank was going to go down. And that’s why she was drinking, so I just let it be.

“Aw, she’s as red as a tomato,” Madoc joked.

“Piss off,” Tate scowled at him, but he just winked at her.

K.C. and Liam sauntered in, looking like yin and yang. She was bright-eyed and smiling, while he looked constipated with his bored expression and pursed lips.

“Hey, guys,” she greeted, pulling Liam behind her.

He pushed the hair out of his eyes and nodded at Madoc and me but said nothing. I knew it was me making him uncomfortable, and I had to force a straight face.

He probably still thought I’d gotten in his girlfriend’s pants, and I couldn’t help being impressed with

K.C. for not telling him the truth. She was playing with him, making him suffer, no doubt. And why shouldn’t she?

She and Tate still weren’t back to square one, but they’d get there, and Liam could go fuck himself. Madoc finished off his drink and immediately started making two more until I shook my head at him.

Tate didn’t notice it as she talked with K.C., but Madoc got my warning.