I cut him off, smirking. “Big words for you, that.”
He punches my shoulder with a grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes. “Shut up, fucker. As I was saying… he’ll get over it. Maybe after giving you a black eye, but…” he pauses, his tone softening in a way that makes me tilt my head as if someone has taken over his body. “After all these years, you've stayed with her for him; I think it's about time you did something that actually makesyouhappy. Because she clearly does.”
I blink at him, completely caught off guard. Ezra's twin, Ethan, is the quiet one, and Ezra… well, him being serious like this makes me wonder if he's actually right. I push the thought aside and pull him into a hug, patting his back the way men do, so it doesn't look all soft and sentimental.
“Thanks, Ez,” I mutter.
We pull apart, and he gives my cheek a quick, brotherly pat before moving behind the bar. He grabs a couple of beers from the fridge and lobs one in my direction.
“So,” he says casually, “Are you coming to the party here tomorrow?”
I catch the bottle and glance around the colourful space, unimpressed. “Definitely not. It's not like you'll get anyone on the dance floor.”
He scoffs. “Why not? Everyone loves a boogie.”
I take a sip. “Not in a bar, they don't. And you haven't even advertised it. The only reason you're doing this is because you want an excuse to grind on some poor woman.”
He gapes at me. “I don't need an excuse to grind on someone. But it's true. You should come and bring Willow with you.”
That's an instant no. The image of her anywhere near this place with some stranger's hands all over her body makes me want to rip my hair out.
“I’ll give it a miss.”
Right on cue, the doors swing open and River storms in, irritation rolling off him in waves.
Ezra laughs. “Whoa, mate. Who died?”
River shoots him a glare. “I’ve had one hell of a day.”
I set my bottle down, already scanning past him. My stomach drops when I don't see her.
“Wait,” I say, stepping forward. “Where's Willow?”
He doesn't answer me right away, and I’m very close to drop-kicking my own son. He flops into a chair, elbows propped on the table, bottom lip jutting out like a moody teenager.
“With her new friend,” he answers quietly.
I narrow my eyes. That's not enough. “A guy?”
Ezra elbows me lightly, a knowing smirk on his face. I ignore him, focusing on River and trying to keep my jealousy locked up.
“No, remember that girl at Beantastics?”
I scrunch my face, racking my brain. Ezra snaps his fingers beside me like he's just solved a Rubik's Cube.
“The girl you fancy who doesn't even give you the time of day?”
I rub my temple.
This fucking guy.
“Yes,” River hisses. “That’s her. We were at the coffee shop, and they wanted girl talk. Quinn practically threw me out.”
I exhale, relief washing over me. She's safe and not with some guy. I’m glad she's made a friend.
Ezra booms out a laugh. “Oh, man, you seriously need to move on. She's just not that into you.”
River grumbles, glaring daggers at my brother. “Not funny.”
