I shrug as I look around. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Damn right. Don’t let people judge you. Who cares what they think anyway?” Jessa says, nodding dramatically.
“Who’s judging who?” Ben says, plopping down next to me. The top few buttons of his shirt are undone, and he looks deliciously rumpled.
“Some girls in the bathroom were talking about you guys and Kate,” Penny says, her filter completely gone.
“Oh, yeah?” he asks with a grin, his eyes crinkling with his smile as he rests his head on my lap. “What did they say?”
“Nothing worth repeating,” I say, scratching my nails against his scalp as he looks up at me with pure happiness in his gaze.
I’m glad I didn’t leave earlier, that I didn’t let insecurity or fear get in the way. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t lingering in the back of my mind, but I’m working through it. I’m just refusing to let anyone, including myself, ruin my night.
“Crisis averted. Ice machine is back up and running,” Gavin interrupts me, staring at his brother as he sits right next to us.
“Gotta say I thought this place was going to turn into a cum dump of an event space, but you guys really made something here,” Lincoln says.
I blink wildly as a smile spreads against his face, and Gavin whacks his brother on the shoulder.
“Shut the fuck up. You knew it would be awesome,” Gavin jokes.
“Maybe,” Lincoln retorts.
It’s interesting watching all the siblings interact. It’s something I always wanted but never had. I wanted a sister so damn bad, especially when I went to live with Aunt Helene. The idea of having someone you’re tied to genetically, who goes through nearly the same walk of life as you, was compelling. But alas, I was an only child, and now I feel completely void of a family. The closest thing I have to a family are Savannah and Chelsea. Watching this family interact has me wishing I had more.
“It really is impressive. It looks great. The group of women I was talking to earlier said this is exactly what Tampa needed. A club for the occasional club goer that doesn’t feel like it’s a teeny bopper spring break,” Penny says with a very serious face.
“Thanks, Pen,” Ben says in my lap.
“We’re only going to be open on Fridays and Saturdays, maybe some holidays. I think making it more exclusive is the way to go instead of trying to staff this place seven days a week,” Gavin says.
“Glad to see you two finally grow up,” their oldest brother, Aiden, says as he ruffles Gavin’s hair, an arm wrapped around Jessa’s shoulder, where she holds his hand. “It’s getting late and we’re going to get a ride home.”
“Aw, come on old man,” Gavin says, but there isn’t much heat to it, not when Ben is nearly falling asleep on my lap.
“Congratulations. And it was so nice to meet you, Kate,” Jessa says with a smile.
“Nice meeting you all too,” I say honestly. They were welcoming; sure it was like being thrown in the deep end, but I’m glad they were here.
“I think we ought to head home, too. Brynn and Hudson aren’t going to give a shit that mommy and daddy are hungover tomorrow.”
“Aren’t they with Mom and Dad?” Gavin asks.
Lincoln gives him a look that screams ‘stop cock blocking me’ as Penny leans forward, not giving a shit that Ben is on my lap as she gives me a hug.
“It was really nice to meet you officially. I hope we’ll be seeing more of you,” she says.
Gavin gives her a look, and she shoves him back by the forehead.
“Later, losers,” she says to her cousins.
Gavin gives her the finger and Lincoln acts like he’s going to bite it before they leave and it’s just us three.
Well, us three and a club full of people.
“The club is very impressive,” I say, as Ben straight up turns on his side, using my lap as a pillow.
Gavin rests back on the chair, looking at me softly. “No, what’s impressive is meeting our family and not running for the hills. I should’ve warned you beforehand. They can be a lot.”
