“Babe!” he shouts out. “This is Denver.” He points to me with both hands as if he were a neon blinking light. I think she gets it. The pool isn’t too packed at the moment. “He’s the one I’m filling the last position with at the restaurant.”
“Ohh!” the girl shouts. “Good pickin’s.”
Good pickin’s? What the hell is going on?
Chapter Four
Kai
Today carried on like a snail’s race. I’m completely exhausted from the troop of tourists reliving precious moments of spring break from two months ago. I realize I live in a vacation spot, but if I were to go away somewhere, I’d want to relax, do nothing, and listen to no one. I wouldn’t want to wake up with a hangover every afternoon, but to each their own, I suppose. The drunkos have finally simmered down for their late afternoon naps now, and my shift is over.
“Ready ready ready?” Lea hollers across the pool.
I slip my guard hoodie over my head and grab my bag. “Yeah, let’s head out.”
“We have an hour before we have to be down in Lahaina, so we gotta be quick,” she says.
“Uh, what?” I question as we head down the botanical path that’s lined with hibiscus, plumeria, and bird of paradise flowers, where the hummingbirds hang out all day. This might be my favorite part of my day—the peace and serenity that seals out the chaos. Plus, it’s a quick escape route to the parking lot.
“We’re going out tonight. You were already notified this morning, missy.”
“No, I’m not going out. I’m tired. It was a long day.”
“But, I promise you we’ll have fun,” she continues badgering. I’m not sure why she cares if I go out or not. Normally, she has no problem going out on her own. “Plus, you promised Talon.”
“No, I didn’t. He put words in my mouth.”
She huffs loudly, and like a rag doll, throws her body into the car. “I didn’t want to have to do this,” she warns.
“I don’t care what you say. I’m not going out drinking tonight so I can feel like ass all day tomorrow.”
“We’re celebrating our engagement tonight, Kai.”
“No, you’re not,” I argue. “You would have started your argument with that.”
“No, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to bribe you with a ‘cause’ to go out. If you had just agreed, you would have been pleasantly surprised to hear why we’re going out. Now I just know you don’t want to, and you’re only doing it because I made you feel guilty.”
She juts out her bottom lip and throws her head back against the chair. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Come on, Kai. What else are you going to do tonight besides rot in front of the TV?”
“Rot in front of the TV, which I plan to enjoy,” I reply. “Where are you all going?” I don’t want to go, but if she is, in fact, celebrating her engagement, I will be there. I just have a feeling it’s a scam to get me to go out. Lea plans parties and events as if they’re a royal occurrence, so spontaneously mentioning an engagement party like she is, doesn’t screamtruthto me.
“To a restaurant,” she says.
“What kind of place is it?” I ask.
“It’s a restaurant,” she says as if my question is absurd. “They have burgers, wings, and salads for those who need to be healthy at all times, so don’t worry. There’s something for everyone. Even you.” I can see her arrogant little smile from the corner of my eye.
“I really want you to come, Kai,” she says, sounding more pleading than she has in the past half hour.
I sigh and nod my head, knowing I have no choice but to give in. She’s my sister, and I can’t say no to her when she asks me anything like that. She uses her pleas as a weapon, knowing it’s my weakness. I’ve tried to help her have a normal life despite our parents being gone. I felt it was my obligation to stand in and do what I can to make sure she’s happy. I know I’ve done a good job with that. She’s happy. Happier than I am. Sometimes, I selfishly wonder who was left to make sure I would be happy after Mom and Dad were taken from us, but I keep those thoughts to myself. It’s not a burden she should have to deal with.
“Okay, okay. I’ll come, but I’m not staying out until two. I don’t like walking into work looking like I’ve been run over by a train.”
“Deal,” she says. “We all have to work in the morning, so I doubt anyone will want to stay out that late anyway.”
“Is this restaurant upscale or casual?” I ask.
