I swallow, feeling the pressure of her statement. “All the other brothers have?”
“Unfortunately,” she says, taking another sip.
“The family didn’t like their girlfriends?” Am I walking into the lion’s den coming on this trip? Aiden doesn’t seem like he’s someone who comes from a judgmental or rude family, but I could be reading it wrong.
She waves her hand. “No, nothing like that. I’m just being petty.”
I smirk at her. “You, a petty streak?”
She arches an eyebrow at me. “Do you want to talk shit about Tabitha?” she says, and I laugh and, well, talking about her might feel nice. Penny smirks and tells me about the time Tabitha accidentally ordered women’s cut jerseys for a male team, and how she caught her making out with Zach by the dumpsters behind the office.
I should probably feel bad talking about Tabitha, but it feels nice having someone who understands.
Maybe mutual hate for people is where true friendship thrives.
We’re both holding our drinks and swaying to a cover version ofYou Can Have Whatever You Like, when my phone vibrates in my purse. I quickly see Aiden’s name, which I have adorned with a pink heart, like I’m fifteen.
“Hey,” I say, hoping he can hear me over the noise.
“Hey, baby. When do you think you and Penny will be ready to be picked up?”
“Not sure,” I say, watching Penny sway to the music.
“It’s just I had to pick Linc up from the bar, and I’m deciding if I should take him home or come and get you two first.”
“Let me ask.” I touch Penny’s shoulder, and she doesn’t pay attention to me, so I nearly have to shake her. “Penny, Aiden is trying to decide whether to drop Lincoln off first or come and get us.”
She blinks at me a few times. “He’s with Lincoln?” I nod, and she blinks a few times more. “Tell him to pick us up first.”
“Did you hear that?”
“Yeah, I’ll come and get you guys first.”
“I’m not done drinking, asshole,” I hear through the phone, clearly Lincoln speaking to Aiden.
“Shut the fuck up,” Aiden says back to his brother and then sighs over the phone. “Sorry, I’ll be there in fifteen.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
When I put my phone away and look up at Penny she’s biting her nail slightly. “Everything good, Pen?”
“Yeah, maybe too many margaritas?” She has been pounding them back. I’ve had two and I’m feeling a little buzzed. I can’t imagine what she feels like after five.
“Let’s get some water and go sit till Aiden gets here.”
I grab us two waters, and we sit down and look at the bay while we wait. I really wish a breeze would at least come through. I feel like I’m a sweaty fucking mess. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this brutal weather.
Penny and I finish both of our waters as I see Aiden and another dark haired man stumble behind him.
“Oh, fuck,” Penny mumbles.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I hear the man behind Aiden mumble, who I’ve met at Avalon—awkward.
“What is your problem, Lincoln?” Aiden asks as they walk to our table. Aiden gives me a tight smile, and his brother sits down next to Penny.
“Water?” Lincoln asks Penny, and she gives him a look, they clearly have their own language as he responds. “Good.”
Aiden gives his brother a strange look before turning his gaze on me. He kisses the side of my face and Lincoln stares at me. Not in a judgmental way, just like he’s trying to put the pieces together.
