“Just three,Dad. Tastes like water.”
I mess up her hair. “You know I’m the last one to nag. Just checking if I should haul your ass back to my place later and leave a bucket by the bed.”
“Is that an invitation?” She elbows my ribs. “I wouldn’t mind crashing at your place tonight. I was staying with Conor and Vee, but they need more than seven minutes. I didn’t pack my earplugs, and I bet they’ll be at it as soon as we step through the door.”
“Yeah, better if you stay with me. I’ll tell Conor before his balls turn blue.”
She chuckles, tiptoeing to kiss my cheek. “Thank you. If I’m not too hungover, I’ll make you breakfast.”
“Deal. Go have fun. Let me know when you’re ready to head back.”
With a tight nod, she crosses the lawn, joining her friends, and I go back inside, grabbing three bottles of Corona while passing through the kitchen.
EIGHT
Blair
“I DON'T WANT TO PLAY,” I tell Brandon when he sets the bowl in my lap for the third time, pleading. “Take it away.”
“Oh, come on, loosen up. Everyone’s playing, babe.”
“Everyone but me.” I squeeze my wine glass, tipping back the last of it.
“What’s wrong, Blair?” Mikaela asks, arms folded, eyes drilling into mine. “You’re too good for a bit of fun? Better than all of us? Don’t be such a buzzkill. Grab a watch, and we’ll go dancing when you’re done.”
Peer pressure at its finest.
I shouldn’t give in, but neither Kelly-Ann, Mikaela, nor a single other girl said a word to me since I arrived. That’s how influential the triplets are. Their mere presence reverts me to the public enemy chair. Besides Brandon, Justin, and maybe Finn, no one will risk speaking to me. They’re too worried they’d get on the wrong side of the Hayes brothers.
It’s scary how much power a surname holds. How much respect it evokes.
“Deal or no deal?” Kelly-Ann clips expectantly, arms akimbo, brown irises burning into my blue ones.
It’s stupid, but I consider playing. Life is so fucking lonely without friends. I still have a year in college... I don’t want to spend it alone. They’re throwing me a bone, readmitting me to their group if I play like everyone else. If only for one night.
This past year was torture, even though Brandon kept me company. Now he’s not just graduating, he’s leaving Newport to travel, and I’ll be lonelier than ever.
“Forget it,” Mikaela huffs. “She won’t do it.”
She starts backing away, and the girls follow, leaving me at a table full of guys who only tolerate me because of Brandon.
My guts threaten mutiny.
My throat constricts.
Alonereverberates inside my head, summoning the bitter guilt that’s plagued me for months. I only got a small taste of loneliness, but it was enough to break me...
Mia spent her whole life without friends until the triplets found her. All because of me and... Jake.
Loneliness is the least I deserve, but I can’t stand it.
Sucking in a harsh breath when Mikaela shoves the bowl into Finn’s chest, I cave. “Give it here.” The words are out. Too late to reconsider despite the heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach. “I’ll play.”
A chorus ofohs andahs fills the air as the girls turn around, applying their brakes when Finn holds the bowl out with a knowing grin.
“Eyes closed,” he reminds.
Pinching my lips together, I do as instructed and dip my hand into the bowl, swirling the watches until my fingers brush a leather strap with three rows of tiny holes along the whole length.
