“Oh, here they are,”Casey teases, ensuring everyone turns to look as Cole and I finally join them in the restaurant she and Parker chose for tonight.
We might be running behind, but one glance at the table tells me they’ve been waiting to order.
“Sorry we’re late,” Cole says confidently as we approach the two empty chairs.
Every single person at the table grins at us as Cole pulls my chair out and allows me to sit down.
“You look incredible, Freya,” Parker comments.
“Thank you,” I say quietly, uncomfortable with everyone’s eyes on me. I guess it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
“So, we’re fucking starving,” Linc announces, thrusting menus at us. “If you two could pick something, we’d all be grateful. Ow, the fuck?” he asks when Parker backhands him in the chest before giving him a hard warning glare. “What? I’m hungry.”
He shakes his head at her as our server comes over to ask Cole and I for our drink order. With a beer and a cocktail ordered, we quickly read through the menu and make our selections.
“So, what have you two been up to since our big man here got back?” Killer asks, looking at the two of us over the rim of his beer glass.
“You know, just catching up,” Cole says coyly.
Beneath the table, his hand shifts, his palm resting on my bare thigh.
Heat surges through me as I consider what our afternoon consisted of.
“Had a snack.”
“Explains why you weren’t in a rush to eat,” Linc mutters under his breath.
“It’s alright for you,” Kodie pipes up at the other end of the table. “Your girl travels with. You don’t understand how hard it is for us.”
“Yeah,” Linc muses, reaching out to wrap his arm around Parker’s shoulder and tug her closer. “I’m a lucky motherfucker.”
“You know what’s easier?” Rett asks. “Having no one at home to worry about.”
“Here, here,” Killer says, raising his glass to clink against Rett’s. They then turn to Hayden.
He looks reluctant, but he lifts his glass and does it.
“Ugh, you’re such a pig,” Parker complains.
“Judge all you like, little sister. The man sitting next to you was the same for years.”
Parker groans at the memory.
“I’m a changed man now,” Linc says with a wide smile. “And one day, man, it’ll happen to you too.”
Rett scoffs before gulping down half his beer.
“And you,” Linc adds, nodding at Killer.
“And me?” Hayden asks hopefully.
“Meh…not sure,” Linc teases.
“What?” Hayden cries in horror. “Why not? What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing,” Casey assures him. “Linc is just yanking your chain.”
Hayden glares at Linc across the table. “You’re an asshole. I’ll have you know that I’m a catch.”
