I nod. “Of course, whatever you need.”
That comment earns me an eye roll from Ash. “Oh really, whatever she needs?”
“That’s what I said,” I reply, staring him down. “You ever get tired of babysitting your sister? She’s an adult.”
Ash levels me with a glare. “If you wouldn’t fuck with her, I wouldn’t have to.”
“Enough, guys, come on. Let’s have some fun tonight,” Dex says, trying to bring the tension down a bit.
“I can go,” I say, moving to stand. I look over and see the disappointment in Hendrix’s eyes. She doesn’t want me to go. As long as he doesn’t throw me out of the booth, I’m staying.
“No, I wouldn’t want to run you off,” Ash says, shooting me a shit-eating grin, I know it’s just for show. It’s just for her sake. I don’t care, as long as she doesn’t force me to leave.
“No, I’m sure you don’t,” I say, turning my attention to the TV, where I can see that the Marlins are winning their game.
“I see your brother is doing well for himself,” Danny says, changing the subject.
I nod. “He sure is.” I don’t say anything more about it, but Ash picks this subject to engage me in conversation.
“So, your whole family owns a sports team? Did your father buy one of them for each of you?” he asks, trying to make it look like he’s genuinely interested, but I know he has an angle.
“My brother runs the Marlins; he built that team. And he’s done well for himself.” I feel the need to defend my brother because he doesn’t need to be dragged through the mud by Ash. My brother isn’t fair game for him. I hope my comments have made that perfectly clear.
“I see,” is all he mutters.
Thank fuck, it worked, I think to myself.
“Who wants to play some pool or something?” Mac suggests from farther down the table.
“That actually sounds like lots of fun,” Dex says, patting my back and gesturing for me to get out of the booth.
I stand and allow everyone else to get out. Once they are gone, I sit back down in the booth.
“You’re not coming?” Hendrix turns to ask me when she notices that I’m not following the rest of them.
It’s only Ash and Dex, who is busy helping Amelia limp along, left at our table.
“Nah, I’m hungry. I think I’m going to sit here and pick at the apps. If I eat them all, don’t worry, I’ll order some more on my tab,” I say, giving Ash a pointed look.
“Okay, man,” Dex says, clapping me on the back. He leads Amelia away and I am thankful that the rest of them follow.
I sit there staring at the TVs, watching the ending of the game that gives my brother another win. Every once in a while, I can feel someone’s eyes on me. I look up and see it’s either Hendrix or Ash. But I don’t bother to show them that I’ve noticed them staring. Instead, I pick at the appetizers and consider ordering myself a burger.
When the waitress comes back over, I ask her, “Can you please bring us two more pitchers? I’m sorry I don’t know what they ordered, but we’ll take two more. They can go on my tab if there’s not an open one. And I’ll have a club sandwich, please. No fries.”
“Will do, hun,” she says, taking my order and hurrying away.
I lean back and look over at the pool table. Everyone is laughing, smiling and having a good time. I decide not to walk over there and join them. Hendrix looks happy. She’s standing between Cassie and Mac. Her arm is resting on Mac’s shoulder while they watch Danny sink a shot. It looks like he’s partnered up with Jase, while Dex has teamed up with Ash. He would have been my partner but since I gave them all space, he got paired with him. I decide it’s a good thing that I didn’t feel the need to join them. Let them all have a nice night. I scrub a hand down my face and then place my head in my hands, waiting for my food to arrive.
“Hey, are you okay?” Amelia asks me, lowering herself into the booth across from me. “You usually come and hang out with us.”
I nod. “I usually do. But I thought I’d give everyone a little bit of space. Ash seems to be a little feisty tonight, so I figured that I would hang back and let you all have a nice night. What are you doing back at the table? You don’t have to keep me company.”
Amelia grins at me, reaching down and rubbing her knee. “I’m just sore and figured that it would be a good idea to sit for a bit.”
I tip my head towards the pool table. “There are chairs over there, aren’t there?” I grin at her. “Wanna tell me what’s really got you sitting over here with me?”
Amelia sighs. “The comments were uncalled for, and you are sitting over here like someone pissed in your Cheerios, so I thought that I would come over here and make sure that you are okay. It’s not like you to not come and hang out with us. You’re usually the man who keeps the party going. Now you’re sitting alone, while all of your friends are across the room. And you can spare me the bullshit about Hendrix or Ash not wanting you over there because we areyourfriends too.”
