“Of course, it is.” I snatch my hand back. “And the fact that no one at this table is bothering to defend me lets me know that you all feel the same.”
Kennedy grunts into her mimosa, “You do have a track record.”
It’s true. In this case actions very much speak louder than words. “Look, I’m not perfect, and yes, I’ve slept with a few men, but just a few. Now that’s the truth whether or not you care to believe it.” I needle Brylee with a hard look. “And if you don’t, you can fashion it into one of those dildos you love so much and shove it up your ass.”
The three of them groan in unison as if I had just delivered the lowest blow possible.
Reese taps her glass over the table as if calling court to order. “So you’re both interested in Abel. It’s not a terrible thing.”
Kennedy scowls over at her stepsister. “You’re right. It’s averyterrible thing. If they’re both equally invested, one might just end up with a broken heart.”
I scoff at the idea. “Nobody is breaking my heart ever again.”
The three of them freeze as they take me in, and I cringe over the fact I included those last two very damning words.
“What happened?” Kennedy blinks just once with all of the drama of a haunted doll. And something about that quirky maneuver, the deeply concerned tone in her voice, lets me know that she truly does care.
I snap back from my momentary trance and glance to Brylee who looks all but disinterested in the fact I had my beating heart ripped out of my ass.
“It’s not important.” I run my finger over the rim of my glass over and over. “What is important is that no one, for sure not Abel, is going to break my heart.” I nod to Brylee. For sure not that little slut either.
Her angry little eyes narrow over mine. “So you’re okay with me chasing his tail?”
“His tops, his tail, whatever you think might work.” My brows rise involuntarily, and I don’t really give a shit what she might decipher it to mean.
Reese checks her phone before collecting her things. “We need to get down the hill.” She looks to Brylee who scampers to her feet. “We have an appointment with our counselors back at school. Just something quick to get clearance to register for next semester. Senior year!” They share a quick high five.
“It’s been real, bitches.” Brylee blows me a kiss as they make their way down the chain of stairs. I can’t help but notice the way the sun kisses her hair and makes it shine like gold—fool’s gold. Her cute, strappy, gladiator sandals lace all the way to her knees, and I’m suddenly envious of them, of her.
“Brylee is a beautiful bitch, I’ll give her that.”
Ken hacks out a laugh in that dark—I’m so with you on this one. Kennedy and I have always been close. There’s always been something familiar about her, a kindred spirit. You would think I would have found that with Reese since we’ve both lost our mothers, but Kennedy has that undertone of wickedness that I’ve always secretly thrived on.
“Are you sleeping with him?” She pulls Reese’s drink close and knocks it back in one giant gulp.
“No. But I will be. And I don’t need that little witch coming around, flaunting her tramp stamp for all to see.”
“You mean for him to see. Brylee is stiff competition, all right, but you have something she doesn’t.”
“What’s that?” If I’m anything, I’m forever thirsty for one more hit of attention,affection. A good solid compliment is my drug of choice.
“Geez.” Ken closes her eyes and groans at my seeming stupidity. “You must be blind if you don’t see it.”
“See what?” I’m about to lunge over the table and shake whatever it is she sees right out of her.
Ken lays those serious eyes over mine, her pert nose turned up with self-righteous pride because whatever it is she’s keeping from me, she wholly believes it.
“You already havehim, Zoey.” She rolls her eyes for affect. “That boy’s balls are aching to have you. He’s a house of cards just begging to be knocked over with one tiny flick of your tongue. Now get out of here and get licking. And report to me every dirty detail.”
“Kennedy! He’s your brother-in-law!”
“Yes, and I’m your friend. Trust me, with a man that hot, you’ll want to vent, brag, and shout his accolades to the first woman you see. These are the right McCarthys we’re dealing with.” She leans in, and that laughter veiled in her eyes turns on a dime as her demeanor grows serious. “These men are gold, Zoey—sublime works of celestial art meant to be worshipped. If—no,whenyou sleep with Abel, just know that it isn’t some one-night stand you’re entertaining. This is something real you’re up against. I don’t care what line of bullshit he’s fed you about his past.” She shakes her head. “You’re the only woman that exists when he looks at you.”
My spirit soars when Kennedy calls me a woman, and that one female-oriented pat on the back sends my heart racing faster than it already is. I’m stunned to see that she believes Abel and I could ever be. More than that, she believes Abel is taken with me, that I’ve already crested that next level. My relationships usually come with glass ceilings that I’ve never been able to conquer, and with Abel I’ve already crashed right through it. The best part is, I know she’s right. I’ve known it from that first night we went to the Blue Crab. His eyes connected with mine, and it was as if the universe molded his soul over mine. I felt it. He must have, too.
Kennedy and I wrap up our tête-à-tête, and I walk on air as I head on down to the shoreline.
Now that Abel and I have gleaned Kennedy’s nod of approval, there is work to be done.
