My wine glass set on the coffee table, forgotten. I grabbed it and slurped the rest of the wine, suddenly thirsty.
“Can I get you some more?” Wes offered. He reached his hand out for my glass.
“Thanks. Yes, but only one more. I have no desire to wake up with a hangover.” I smiled up at him as he rose. For such a big person, I expected him to be a bit clumsy, but he moved with grace.
Gray was putting our controllers in the entertainment cabinet when a song came on I hadn’t heard in years. I squealed. “I love this song.” It was a ballad from a boy band popular when I was a freshman in high school. I leaned back on the couch, head back, and hummed along. “This takes me back”
When I opened my eyes, Arch stared at me like I’d grown a baboon butt on my forehead. Gray stood in front of the entertainment center with an equally bewildered expression on his face. “What?” I asked.
“I’m not sure whattheirproblem is, but I’ve never heard this song in my life. How old are you?” Wes spoke from behind me as he walked around the couch to hand me the wine.
The song was iconic. Everyone my age, plus or minus three or so years, would recognize it. “I’m twenty-one. How old areyou?” I said a little prayer they weren’t two decades older than me with youthful faces.
Arch answered for them. “We’re all twenty-eight. Gray is the youngest, and Wes the oldest.”
I gawked at them. “You say that like you’re brothers. Usually, only siblings talk like that.” The only way they were siblings was if their dad was naughty and got all their moms pregnant at the same time. Their appearances and features were completely different.
They laughed, like I told a big joke. “We’re not biological brothers, but we grew up together. We might as well be blood.”
That made a little more sense. If they’d known each other all their lives, they probably thought like brothers. “If you don’t know this song, I can’t help you. You’ve missed out.”
A debate started about the best kind of music to listen to. Turns out all three were fans of metal music. “If you all like metal, then why are we listening to pop now?”
Arch discreetly pointed to one of the women sitting at the table playing cards. “It’s her iPod. She took over when she got here and plugged it in.” He shrugged. “It’s one night of music we don’t care for. We can deal.” He glanced at his friends. “Besides, we would’ve been arguing over whatkindof metal to listen to.”
I was impressed with his laid back attitude. I sipped my wine and contemplated the guys I’d dated. Most were adamant about music choices. “I know most people roll their eyes when someone says this, but I’m pretty eclectic. I love pop music, but I also love metal, rock, and a little bit of country. And, I’ve been known to listen to a little classical or Broadway hits.”
My gaze was on Gray when I finished talking, and his face was frozen like he was trying hard not to roll his eyes. “Name one metal band you like.” His voice was skeptical, and his attitude was a little uppity for me, like how so-called metal heads acted.
“Black Sabbath is my favorite and always will be.” I fought the urge to raise one eyebrow and purse my lips. I schooled my features into a neutral, calm expression. “Before you ask, my favorite song is War Pigs, followed by Fairies Wear Boots.”
Gray’s skeptical expression broke, and he chuckled. I said a small prayer of thanks to the music gods. I’d dated a guy the year before that worshipped Black Sabbath. I did like them, but I would’ve never known a single song name without his obsession. I made a mental note to send him a Christmas card.
“Nice,” Wes said. “I’m impressed.” He sat beside me on the couch again and grinned appreciatively. “So, you’re eclectic, but do you love music?”
“The only thing I love more than music is reading. I wish I could play an instrument.” I sang all through high school, but never had an inclination to try to learn to play.
“It’s never too late to learn,” said Arch. “Gray could teach you to play guitar.”
Gray shook his head. “Heck no, man. I tried to teach a girl one time, and I donothave the patience.”
I laughed at his honesty. “I don’t have the time now. I like to spend time volunteering, plus school and school work takes up a lot of my time.” I rolled my eyes. “And now the lawsuit. Maybe one day I will, but for now, I’ll listen and be a music fan.” I sipped my wine, determined to make it last. No rough morning for me.
“Where do you go to school?” Arch seemed genuinely interested in my life.
“I’m a junior at Southern.” I fought a smile, flattered and proud of my school. I’d earned the grades for an ivy league but never did enough extracurricular to be of interest to them. I volunteered some in high school, but not as much as I’d been doing lately. Southern was a great alternative to an ivy.
Gray’s face lit up. “You’re kidding!” He leaned forward. “I do guest lectures for their pre-law students!”
I laughed, but then got serious. “So now I’m at a party with partners from the law firm I’m about to hire and a professor at my college?” Disappointment clenched my chest. “I guess I’d better go home.”
Gray threw up his hands. “No, wait. You’re civil, right? Not criminal?” I gave him a curt nod and a sad smile. “Then we’re golden. I’m a guest at the college. Not on the payroll or anything. Please, stay.”
“If someone needed to leave over the college thing, I’d make Gray go.” Arch deadpanned. His face was so serious that I smiled at Gray sympathetically.
Gray punched Arch in the arm. “Whatever, man.” Arch’s serious expression broke, and they both busted out laughing.
Before we could get back into our conversation, Arch got called over to the card players. “Whoops. I guess I’ve been ignoring them,” he whispered to me before he got up. “I’ll return in a few.” I grinned at his back, thankful for his hospitality. I was comfortable enough with his friends by then. I’d even stopped gawking at them.
