A foreign emotion washed over me at the sound. It was an alien and fleeting feeling, but I recognized it just the same.
I was envious.
Not of Barron's fiancée or the fact that Barron landed a smoking hot supermodel. I was happy for my cousin for reconnecting with his high school sweetheart. It helped assuage the guilt I often felt at my role in separating them.
I wasn't sure what I felt envious of. I didn't want a relationship. Didn't want to be tied down to one girl.
So why did my chest ache a little last night when I caught glimpses of Barron smiling down at Eden like a besotted fool? Or every time Eden leaned over to plant a kiss on Barron? I couldn't think of any girl - past or present - that I could see myself wanting to spend an extended period with; consecutively.
A flash image of a curly-haired brunette with curves for days and fiery whiskey-colored eyes came to mind, seemingly mocking my previous assurance.
It stirred something primal within me. Even at her angriest, Sofia was beautiful. But, so what? I had seen many gorgeous women and slept with a slew of them. Why did Sofia - someone who lived to battle with me verbally - affect me the most?
I stared a hole at the picture of Barron and Eden as teens, both beaming widely at a camera. I wondered how long after this picture was taken did they break up; when Barron cheated with Lissa.
Thinking of the other woman soured my stomach. I did not commit to Maria, true, but even I knew that fucking her best friend was a dick move.
God, and Lissa also had a relationship with Barron after the whole shit went down with Eden. Did I betray my cousin, too? Bro code and all that?
"Hey, sorry, man." I jumped back at Barron's voice. "I was just giving them a quick shine in the bathroom." He held up a pair of white Adidas sneakers. "These cool?"
Well, they would definitely complete the whole slouch outfit I had going on. I fixed my cousin with a genuinely grateful smile. "Perfect, thanks, Barr."
I took the shoes and clean socks off his hands and deftly slipped them on, sighing in relief as my feet started to warm up. I straightened and wiggled my foot around, attempting to get used to the strange attire.
"So, what are you up to? Heading back to Helensville?"
"My shit's still at Maria's. Luckily my cards are in my phone, so I figure I'll grab some lunch before getting my stuff back. Hopefully, she's calmed down by then."
Barron nodded slowly but otherwise stayed quiet.
"Hey, can I treat you and Eden to lunch? To say thank you?"
Barron looked towards the bedroom, hesitating as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. I felt my mood deflate further as it became apparent that Barron wasn't remotely interested in going out to lunch with me.
"Eden's still a little hungover from last night. She rarely overindulges, so when she gets a chance to...well..." Barron shrugged, still refusing to meet my eyes.
I nodded haltingly, forcing another overly brilliant smile on my face. "Hey, I get it. Models and drinking on an empty stomach and all that."
Barron flashed me with a fiery glare, causing me to internally close my eyes at my stupid mouth. "Eden eats," he snapped. "Probably more and better than either of us."
I quickly held my hands up in apology. Something I seemed to be doing a lot lately. "Hey, man, sorry. Me and my dumb mouth," I joked weakly.
Barron's jaw was still clenched in tense annoyance as he nodded, acknowledging my apology.
Desperate to soothe over all of my transgressions, I opened my mouth to quickly confess something that had been bothering me.
In hindsight, I really should have kept my mouth shut.
"There's something I need to confess and apologize for," I started.
My cousin regarded me warily. "What is it?"
"It's about Lissa."
Barron stilled, his eyes widening in alarm at the other woman's name. He didn't say a word, and I stupidly took that as consent to continue.
"You know how I was in town for your mom's birthday? Well, usually, I hook up with Maria, but she was in Pittsburgh. Anyway, I went to Malley's for a few drinks after, and Lissa turned up. I was a bit drunk, and she came on to me."
