Not that I don’t want him to be happy. Of course I do. Especially since he’s engaged to my best friend. And given everything he’s been through, he deserves it more than most. But that doesn’t stop the little green monster on my shoulder from hissing its displeasure into my ear.
“Finally.” My brother appears behind my mom, two beers dangling from his fingers. He extends one to Kai over my mother’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’m driving his car home,” I say, reading my mother’s reaction perfectly.
“Make sure you eat,” she tells me, turning her attentiontoward the kids who are now cannonballing into the pool, splashing the adults lounging in nearby chairs. “Sean. Tuscan,” she yells at two of my cousins, taking off in that direction.
“Hey, sis.” I look back at my brother as he pulls me into a quick, one-armed hug.
“Surprised you’re here so early,” I say once he releases me.
“Our father insisted I come early and help set up the chairs and tables.” He takes a quick drink of his beer. “So I figured if I had to be here early, I’d start early.” He holds up the bottle in Kai’s direction. “You have some catching up to do,” he tells him.
Like me, Jackson is a blend of both of our parents. His skin is nearly the same shade as mine, just a hint darker. His eyes the same blue. But when it comes to his facial features, he looks just like our father, down to the solitary dimple on his left cheek.
“Did you bring your suit?” he asks Kai, knowing full well that I keep half my wardrobe here and wouldn’t need to bring a single thing with me.
“I didn’t. Wasn’t sure if your parents would still have the pool open.”
“They’re closing it after this weekend. Come on. I brought a spare pair of trunks just in case you didn’t. We’re getting drunk and hanging in the pool. It’s the only way to make this stupid thing enjoyable.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kai turns his attention to me, his dark blue eyes filled with a question he doesn’t ask.
“I’m good. You two go. Have fun.” I do a shooing motion with my hands. I may have a suit, but I have no interest in getting in the pool. It wreaks havoc on my hair. While it’s the same texture as my mother’s, it’s so thick and curly thatafter I get out of the pool, it takes me a solid hour to work out all the tangles.
I watch the two men disappear inside the house moments later. Spotting my father over by the grill, I’m just about to head in that direction when my phone pings with an incoming text message. I pull it out of the back pocket of my jean shorts and see an unknown number displayed on the screen. I swipe my finger to unlock the device, then click on the message to open it.
Unknown: Did you block my number?
I stare at the message for a long moment, contemplating ignoring it as it’s most likely spam. I get stupid messages similar to this all the time.
Me: If I did, how would you be texting me?
Their reply is almost instant.
Unknown: I’m texting you from a friend’s phone.
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Who do you want it to be?
Me: Not you.
Unknown: But you don’t even know who I am.
Me: Nor do I want to. If you want to play games, find someone else to play along because I’m not interested.
I move to tuck my phone back into my pocket when another message comes through.
Unknown: It’s Macallan.
My stomach twists uncomfortably.
Me: Well, in that case, yes, I blocked you. And for good reason. Because I don’t want to talk to you.
Unknown: Unblock me.
Me: Why would I do that?
