Jacked Up Read Online Free Page B

excellent place to start,” Imogen said.
    “To what purpose?”
    “To letting go of the irritation and stress this whole incident has caused you. Sitting next to Nolan and acknowledging that it was just an accident and you need to let it go,” Tamara said.
    Eve studied her sister-in-law’s face. She liked Tamara. There was something calm and maternal about her, and Eve admired the relationship she had with Elec. There was no judgment on her face. Just concern and encouragement. It all sounded pretty damn rational.
    “I need to let a lot of things go, don’t I?” She did. She was a bundle of stress. She was tired. Lonely. Approaching her birthday in a couple of weeks.
    Letting go of some control and some stress wouldn’t be easy, but would probably be smart.
    “Probably. But that’s up to you.”
    Her phone rang again. It was Nolan. Again. “It’s him.”
    No one said a word. If they had egged her on to answer it, she probably wouldn’t have. But since they stayed silent, waiting for her to decide, she actually found herself picking up the phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey! It’s Nolan. How are you?”
    “Good, thanks. How are you?” She cleared her throat, suddenly aware of the desire to sound sexy. Good Lord. It was ridiculous.
    “I’m glad you picked up. I had called you a few minutes ago suggesting the steakhouse to meet up tomorrow, but I changed my mind. Oktoberfest starts tomorrow and I was thinking we could go there instead. Should be fun.”
    “To a festival?” Eve frowned. That sounded like a date. Like a real, honest to God, we’re a man and woman out on a date thing. Not just a let’s have a beer and forget we saw each other’s body parts. Not just a simple dare. She was about to say no, but then she saw all those expectant faces staring at her. They all looked so hopeful, five women poised to be happy for her.
    There was something really amazing about having these women in her life. She hadn’t always had a ton of girlfriends, so having friends who cared about her, it felt good. They would want her to go. Be spontaneous.
    “Sure. Cool.”
    Now she’d done it. She had said yes. She was already regretting it as Suzanne fist pumped in the air in celebration.
    “Great. If you text me your address, I’ll pick you up around seven.”
    Oh, no. There would be no picking up. Nope. Not happening. “I have to work until about six fifty-nine so I’ll just meet you there. Just tell me where.”
    “Okay. I’ll text you the details and I’ll see you then. Have a good night, Eve.”
    “Great. Thanks. Bye.” She hung up the phone, cheeks suddenly burning, anxiety levels increasing. “I feel like I’m twelve when I talk to him. God, this is so bad.”
    “Where are you going?” Kendall asked.
    “To Oktoberfest. I hate those things. All those people walking around. Fried food. Why would I agree to do that?”
    There was laughter. And knowing glances. But no one answered.
    Because they all knew she knew the answer to her own question.
    Damn it. She had a crush on Nolan Ford and his tight butt.
    * * *
    NOLAN eyed the parking lot and the time on his cell phone. He was fairly certain Eve was going to stand him up. He was surprised she had even agreed to go for a beer with him. She only had because he’d dared her to do it. He had figured asking her to hang out with him at Oktoberfest would be met with a big old hell no. But she had said yes.
    He wasn’t even sure why he had asked her. But she was a nut he’d like to crack. His mama had always said out of the nine kids she’d had, he was the most curious, and it was possible it had gotten him into trouble a time or two.
    Tonight it was going to get him stood up.
    But if Eve didn’t show, he’d go drink a stein of beer, eat a bratwurst, and call it a night. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
    Only it seemed he wasn’t being stood up. He smiled when he saw Eve moving across the parking lot toward him. Not only was she on time to the minute, she was