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Once they’re out of earshot, Marcus turns to me. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I reply tightly. “Why?”
“Well…” He looks from me to the pictures on the table. “I saw your reaction just now.” I start to turn away and he grips my shoulder. “I’m not judging. My cousin gave me head when I was fifteen and I haven’t met another girl since who can suck dick like that.”
“Shit Marcus, it’s not—”
“I know you and Jake have that whole catcher, pitcher bond,” he holds up a hand, cutting me off. “I’m not trying to get in the way of that. I’m just saying if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”
I nod but don’t respond because I don’t know what to say or even if I should.
“Alright, well…” He rubs his hands together. “Why don’t you show us the rest of this pile of bricks so we can get to work on that party we’re having tonight?”
We make our way over to Cal and Jake and the four of us head outside. I show them the grounds, including the beach, pool, tennis courts, and private gym, and when done, head back inside.
As I’m closing the patio door to the family room, Ellery walks in. She’s head down, with a Walkman in her hand and headphones in her ears, so she doesn’t see or hear us. But we see her. She’s hard to miss.
Her long hair is piled on top of her head in a scrunchie and she’s wearing boxer shorts rolled down low on her hips and a Nirvana T-shirt that’s tied in a knot under her boobs. She looks like she just rolled out of bed and I can’t help but smile as I watch her dance along to whatever she’s listening to.
“Wellhellolittle sis,” Cal says with a waggle of his brows. I’m about to ask what that grin on his face is for when Ellery screams and jumps, sending her Walkman flying out of her hand.
“Christ on a cracker!” She rips off her headphones as the Walkman hits the floor, spitting the tape out, and batteries flying. “What the hell are you doing here, Cruz!”
I stalk toward her and bend down to help pick them up. “You’re supposed to be gone,” I shoot back, accusingly.
“Why?” She looks up at me and scowls. “This is my house in case you forgot.”
I stand up and when she grabs both from my hands, I see the tape is an old mix of mine. It was one of my favorites. I’d looked for it everywhere before I left but couldn’t find it. Now I know why.
“It’s 1991.” I can’t help but grin as she puts the batteries backinto their compartment, then slides the tape into the deck. “I’d think you’d have a Discman by now.”
“What can I say, I like a good mix. And grunge sounds better on tape.”
“Grunge is garbage,” I laugh. “Give me AC/DC any day.”
“Are you kidding?” She looks at me, incredulously. “You’re kidding, right.”
I cross my arms, shooting her a smug smile. “Dead serious.”
I never minded the new wave music she used to love. Depeche Mode and New Order had some phenomenal songs. But Ellery knows how much I love rock n’ roll. AC/DC’sBack in Blackalbum is practically religion to me, and the albums Metallica and GNR have coming out in the fall will likely get heavy play on my warmup mix next season.
“If grunge is so great, then why do you have my tape?” I ask, unable to fight the grin tugging at my lips.
“I never said rock was garbage,” she counters. “It doesn’t always have to be all or nothing, Cruz.”
For a moment it feels like we’re back in time, just the two of us. Then I hear the guys come up behind me and remember we’re not.
“Where’s your car?” I ask, changing the subject. “My dad said you were headed back to Elmhurst with him and your mom today.”
“I decided not to go, and my car is at Jenica’s because drinking and driving don’t mix.” She looks around me and when she sees Jake she smiles. “Well hello again. And hello for the first time,” she adds with a wiggle of her fingers as she flicks her eyes to Cal and Marcus, then turns and heads into the adjacent kitchen.
As she walks away, I can’t help but notice the way Cal is staring at her ass. When he sees me watching him, he looks down quickly.
“So you’re hungover.” I turn my attention back to Ellery, following her into the kitchen. “That’s why you’re still here?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, and this inquisition isn’t helping.”
Jake, Marcus and Cal saunter into the kitchen behind us, and hop onto one of the stools lining the bar.
