[excerpt] Chaos & the Geek (Grace Grayson Security Book 1)

Chapter One: Amber

I struggled with the lock as I juggled the books in my arms. "Celebrate good times!" I called as I finally got the damned thing open and realised there was music blaring from Dannie's bedroom.

I kicked the front door closed, dropped my stuff on the couch and grooved along to the music. I wasn't usually so animated, especially after pulling an all-nighter at the library. But as I'd said, that day was cause for celebration. Getting totally shit-faced and karaoke-level celebration.

I grabbed the handle of my best friend's bedroom door.

"Break out the champers, lovely. We have– Oh, my bad," I laughed as Dannie tumbled off the guy she was riding enthusiastically.

My laughter died as Brent sat up from under her in complete shock like he'd been the one who'd just walked into the room. Dannie twirled around, grabbing the sheets to her like I hadn't seen her naked a hundred times over the years. And the shock and horror I felt on my face was mirrored on hers.

It took my brain a moment to work that I was actually seeing this. It took me a moment to stop trying to convince myself that I was just overworked and hallucinating – it had been known to happen, just not quite to this extent.

"Babe. It's not what it looks like..." Brent started, reaching for me.

"Really?" I blinked. "That's all you've got for me?"

Because, yep. The girl I'd been best friends with for almost twenty years had just been having sex with my boyfriend. Admittedly we hadn't been dating long. I guess. Is five months a lot these days? And we hadn't gone all the way. Yet. But I was busy dammit. Busy and stressed and Brent had said he didn't mind.

"Amber..." Dannie started and I shook my head.

"No." I closed my eyes and took a breath, feeling oddly numb. "Just... Please tell me this is the first time."

There was silence and I opened my eyes slowly to look at them.

"Babe, sure. It's the only time." Brent nodded. He was totally stealing the Razzie off Sly Stone this year for that dismal performance.

But Dannie would never lie to my face and the look on hers now told me all I needed to know. Something was starting to push through the numbness. I just wasn't sure yet if it was pain, sadness, or anger.

"How long?" I whispered.

Dannie grimaced. "Too long."

"What else were we supposed to do while we were waiting for you to get out of that fucking boring library?" Brent asked, obviously on the defensive.

"Oh, I don't know! Not fucking each other? Literally any of humanity's numerous and varied other past-times but fucking each other!" I snapped and I watched Brent's eyes go wide. Yes, I'd never said that word before, let alone twice. "Now it makes sense why you were happy to wait..."

I took a deep breath and exhaled. Honestly I didn't want to argue with them about who was to blame or whether it was right or wrong. So I turned and headed for my room. I heard them yelling at each other, but I tuned them out as I found my suitcase and started shoving as much into it as I could.

"Amber!" Dannie called and I just shook my head. "Amber, listen to me. It was an accident–"

I shook my head. "No. An accident is running over the neighbour's cat, Dan. Not sleeping with your best friend's boyfriend. I know I've been pulling ridiculous hours. But am I not worth some loyalty and honesty? Any?" I yelled as I slammed my suitcase lid down. I let out a breath, still not sure what I was feeling...if anything.

I was starting to think any emotion was going to be too scary so I didn't want to name any.

"Of course you are. And we should have..."