“Fuck,” I splutter, grabbing the napkins Renee hands me and wiping my face before mopping up the table.
Astrid is staring at me with startled eyes, and Travis is watching with concern splayed across his face.
“Sorry.” I scrub my hands down my face, hoping no one sees how my body is trembling. “It went down the wrong way.”
Astrid scrutinizes my face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Poor Lyn.”
“Yeah. Gwen basically drove her out of town. When she heard what happened, she called and told me,” Astrid explains. “It made me sick she’d do something like that.”
“You have no idea the things that bitch is capable of.”
“Let’s not talk about her,” Renee says. “I always get so angry. Do you ever hear from Thor?” She inquires after her ex-boyfriend.
I shake my head. “Haven’t spoken to him since our breakup. He was understandably pissed at me.”
Renee opens her mouth to say something, but she’s cut off by a loud whoop.
“Let’s get the party started!” Ana shrieks, waving her hands in the air and hooting as she appears at our table, smacking a loud kiss on her husband’s lips.
“Not without me, bitches.” Jessie flings her arms around Travis’s and Marlon’s shoulders.
I look around for Beth, Riley’s wife, because if the other two are here, she’s got to be around someplace.
“Think our night is about to get messy,” Riley says, smirking, and I don’t think he’s wrong.
66
ASTRID
“I’m never drinking alcohol again,” I grumble, rubbing my sore head as I pad into the kitchen in my pajamas and slippers the following morning.
“Girl, tell me about it.” Renee looks how I feel. “Here, this should help.” She hands me a drink bottle.
“What is it?”
“Some kind of coconut water concoction, thanks to Callan. He said there’s electrolytes and other stuff in it that will help us to feel better.”
“Callan washere?”
“Don’t have an aneurysm. He didn’t come inside. He was taking his daughter to the park, and he dropped off breakfast burritos and hangover cures.” She swipes a brown paper bag off the counter. “I was just about to call you. We should eat before they go cold.”
“He can’t be doing stuff like this.” I knock back some of the drink, and my parched mouth thanks me for it.
“It’s a thoughtful gesture, but I don’t think he meant anything by it.” Renee removes two plates from the cabinet. “We were all friends at one time.”
“That was before he took a wrecking ball to my life.” I grab some paper towels and two forks and climb onto a stool as Renee slides the plates with the burritos onto the island unit.
“You two were pretty civil last night. Friendly even. I was surprised.”
“It surprised me too.” Lifting the plate, I inhale the spicy aroma, and my tummy rumbles appreciatively. “Fuck, this smells good. I haven’t eaten one of these in years.”
Sympathy splays across her face. “That makes me sad. Whenever I see a burrito, it always reminds me of you. You were the only girl I knew who could stuff her face with burritos and still look like a fucking supermodel.”
“My body isn’t as forgiving these days.”
“Oh, please. Those extra pounds suit you, and you’re still slim. Still a knockout.”
