“He and Wes are best friends with my brother Blake.”
“Do you hang out with anyone your own age?” I quipped.
Gabe snorted. “I’m only five years older than themandyou. Stop making me feel like some old man reliving his heydays.”
I laughed as we rounded a street corner, and The Sandbar came into view. “Never been to this place.”
“It’s fun. Lowkey. And the owner is a trip.”
He gestured for me to go first when he opened the door, and I stepped inside. The bar was…something else. The interior designer in me was crying a little on the inside over the clashes of color and random decor choices, like thegiantkraken hanging from the ceiling in the corner, but I had to admit…the place had character.
I glanced around, and my eyes fell on Wesley sitting at a table with another guy, who I assumed was Luke. When he glanced up and saw Gabe step up beside me, the scowl on his face made me chuckle. A part of me loved that my mere presence ruffled his feathers.
As we walked toward the table, I saw the guy sitting with Wesley lean over to him, probably to ask if he knew who the newcomer with their friend was. And as we neared them, I caught the tail end of his response.
“…a she-devil in a miniskirt.”
I smiled condescendingly. “That’s rich coming from the demon in designer jeans.”
Presumably Luke tipped his head back with a laugh while Wesley narrowed his eyes. Gabe chuckled as he motioned to the table. “You know Wes.”
“Unfortunately,” I said.
Gabe gestured to the other man. “And this is Lucas Carlisle.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you.” He smiled. “And just Luke is fine.” He was tall with dark hair and gorgeous hazel eyes.
But that name…
Lucas Carlisle.
No fucking way.
My entire demeanor shifted as I sat down, and I had to fight every instinct I had not to lay into the guy, not for my sake or his, buthers.
One man at the table was an arrogant prick with an ego bigger than the moon.
One had broken my best friend’s heart and made her leave town.
And Gabe was officially oh for two in the friends’ department.
Chapter 1
Three Years Later
Halloran Island was situatedoff South Carolina’s southern coast, accessible only by boat, and considered the Martha’s Vineyard of the South. And out of the five small towns that made it up, two were known for their nightlife: Bayport Cove and Burchester. And in Bayport, there was no better nightclub than Agora.
It was the spot I could always count on for a good time and finding a fling. I needed the latter now more than ever. I’d been in one hell of a slump lately, and the girl Ihadmy eye on to potentially have some fun with…well, a little thing called bro-code got in the way of that.
So, here I was, sitting inside Agora on a Friday night, mid-conversation with a girl I’d met a few months back that I’d hit up earlier to meet for drinks.
“So…you’re telling me your dad married a twenty-year-old? I don’t see a problem with that.” I smirked. “I say good for him.”
“The problem is thatshe’stwenty…I’mtwenty-six. And Idon’t know how I feel about him marrying someone younger than his own daughter. It’s weird.”
I could see why it might be a little weird for her. “Well, does she have a dad? Because you could always fight some fire with fire.”
She offered a confused laugh. “Why would I do that when I’m with you?”
