“Start making better jokes, and I might learn.”
With that, we all laugh, and our dinner continues as if nothing happened. And I’m happy that I have this moment with my family.
After three hours with my uncle and cousins, I call Eli, who lives in the Financial District. I don’t want to go home yet after Tiff’s messages.
“I was wondering if you’ve time to have a beer or five with me tonight? I need a distraction from my life, and we haven’t spent much time together lately.” I say as soon as the call connects, forgoing a greeting because with Eli I don’t need to do that.
“Sure, where are you?”
“I’m near King Tattoo—just met the fam for dinner.”
I hear Eli talking to someone in the background. “Cool. Rose said that Ollie’s coming over to pick up some books, so he’ll be here too.”
“See you soon.”
“Drive safe, Jax. No speeding,” I hear Rose telling me in the background.
I chuckle. “I'll be on my best behavior for you, Rosie.”
“Jax, how many times do I have to say this; stop hitting on my woman,” Eli huffs, and Rose laughs.
“You know she would never leave you, brother. You two are stuck like a genital piercing to braces during a blowjob gone wrong.”
I end the call with that before Eli has a chance to reply, and climb onto my bike, ready to go for a ride.
Driving across The Brooklyn Bridge toward Eli and Rose’s place in Manhattan, I take in my surroundings. The river glitters in the sunlight, which makes it look like magic. Even though I’ve lived in New York for over two years, it’s still like a fucking dream that I don’t want to end.I’m definitely not in Nebraska anymore.
Arriving at my destination, I park in a spot for guests and go up to the penthouse floor. You’d think Eli’s an entitled rich kid if you saw where he lives at twenty-six, but the guy is far from it. He’s worked hard to get where he is as the CEO of Dalton Enterprises, one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the world. Eli loves his family and friends something fierce as well. If you’re in his inner circle, you’re in for life. That’swhy I respect him. The same goes for my other best friend, Ollie. They’re like my brothers, but we share no DNA. My life has shown me that sometimes water can be thicker than blood.
As the elevator doors open, I hear voices coming from the foyer. Of course, our Little Poet Boy, aka Mr. Always on Time, is here before me. The day Ollie arrives late or after me will be the day hell freezes over. As if he can hear my thoughts, Ollie turns around, and his familiar light blue eyes make me feel calmer for a second before I remember why I’m here.
“What’s up?” Ollie runs a hand through his dark blonde unkempt surfer-like hair, sensing my foul mood in the five seconds he’s seen me.
“You know, life’s so fucking amazing. It’s like unicorns, rainbows, and sunshine follows me everywhere I go if you couldn’t tell.” I walk towards the kitchen past my friends. Having them near me helps, but I still need a beer. I can’t drink much because I need to ride home later, but one beer can’t hurt. If I feel like having more, I can always call a cab and come back tomorrow for my love. That’s what Isla, my bike, is for me. My love. My epic love. No other woman can compete with her.
I twist off the cap and feel my muscles finally loosen up as I take a long gulp of the cold, refreshing drink. I lean against the kitchen island with my eyes closed and breathe deeply, holding the bottle between my fingers.
I open my eyes when I hear a cheery female voice calling out to me and walk in her direction with a smile. Sliding the door to the rooftop terrace open, I greet Rose, the love of Eli’s life. Her red curls move with the slight wind, and her dress is like her entire personality—bright, cute, and unique. I hug her and whisper how happy I am to see her.
“I’m glad you called Eli and came to see us,” she says while hugging me with affection. She even freaking smells like the sunshine.What a woman.
“Me too,” I say, trying my best not to spill my drink on her.
And I’m not lying. I’m beyond glad Eli got his head out of his ass and made himself hers. Last summer was full of drama before they finally got to air out everything. Standing here on the terrace of Eli and Rose’s penthouse home, I realize how the past year has gone so fast.
Before I have more time to think it over, Eli pops his head full of dark curls through the open door. “All good, Jax?”
“I'm just trying to find the meaning of life,” I say casually.
Rose smiles knowingly. “You should know that 42 is the answer.”
It must be another book reference because Eli laughs. “Maybe or maybe not, gorgeous. But let's think about that later and forget that the world around us exists—at least for tonight.”
I raise my bottle in his direction. “I’ll drink to that.”
2
SOPH
