“D-bag Devereaux!” she retorts with elated sarcasm.
“What’s up, you guys?”
“Did you get the invite?” she asks excitedly.
“Yeah, it came yesterday.”
“Are you going to come?” Hannah asks. “I know it’s golf… season.”
“It’salwaysgolf season,” I return with a snort.
“Fun all-year round…” she bites back drolly.
I laugh.
“Anyway, we’dlovefor you to be there, Brookes,” Hannah continues. “I mean, clearly only if you think you can be there. Obviously, there will be liquor, but I’m going to make sure there are plenty of sober options. And Jonny will be there, and he said he’d love nothing more than to sit by you?—”
“Don’t fall for it, dude. You’ll wish you were drunk after ten minutes with Jonny Slater,” Happy says, completely deadpan.
“Of course I’ll be there, you guys,” I say on a laugh.
Hannah squeals, and I wince at the high-pitch.
“So… will you be bringing a plus one?” she asks, her tone suddenly teasing.
I rub at the sudden pinch in the back of my neck and, blowing out the nerves that have lodged themselves in my throat, I force a smile even though I know they can’t see me. “Actually, yeah. If that’s… okay?”
“Brookes Devereaux!” Hannah sucks in a gasp. “Are you seeing somebody?”
I roll my eyes, dropping my head back and glaring directly up at the sun until I feel my retinas burn. “Yeah.”
“Ohmygod, tell meeverything!”
Stifling a groan, I rub my eyes. “It’s… new.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No.”
“What’s her name?”
I clear my throat. “Poppy.”
“So cute!” Hannah gushes. “Is she as adorable as she sounds?”
“Yes,” I answer abruptly because I really don’t feel like getting into this right now while sweat drips between my ass cheeks.
“I am so excited!” Hannah squeals again.
“Yeah, good for you, my guy!” Happy chimes in. “We can’t wait to meet her.”
“Yeah, anyway,” I mutter again. “Are we done? Because I have a three-mile run back to my house.”
“Boo, you’re so boring,” Hannah mutters.
Happy chuckles. “Bye, man.”
“We’ll see you and themissusin Puerto Rico in a few weeks,” Hannah sing-songs.
