“The Thunder From Down Under, mate.” Dallas said in a terrible Australian accent.
That was enough to break the tension and have us all laughing.
I chuckled and gave a resigned sigh. Nobody was going to sour the good mood I was in. I’d had a perfect weekend with Ella, and I wasn’t about to let that get ruined by drunk Luca. We’d deal with it. “This can’t happen again, Luca. These dinners are for family only.”
Luca brought the bottle of liquor to his lips, but I intercepted it before he could take another sip.
“Don’t even think about it.” I crossed the short distance to the sink, draining the amber liquid. “I think you should drink some water, eat something, and sober up.”
Derek moved to the pantry and pulled out a bag of pretzels, pushing them in Luca’s direction.
Luca rolled his eyes like a petulant child.
“The lasagna will be ready in ten,” Dallas said, setting to work chopping vegetables for a salad.
“And you owe everyone an apology.” I raised my brows at Luca.
“You’re such a fucking dad, Cash.” Luca took a handful of pretzels and popped them in his mouth. “I’m sorry I invited Mandy.”
“Brandi,” Derek corrected. “With an i.”
“And?” Dallas asked.
Luca shrugged. “And what?”
“And sorry I got drunk before we even had dinner and for being a dick?” Dallas continued. “Should I go on?”
Luca huffed. “I’m going to go find Mandy.”
Derek held up a finger. “Brandi.”
“With an i,” Dallas added. “And she needs to leave before the kids get here.”
“Whatever.” Luca flipped us off and slinked out of the kitchen.
“Do you need help with anything, Dal?” I asked.
“Nope. Not unless you can talk some sense into that asshole,” he answered. “You guys go hang out. The table is already set.”
Derek and I made our way to the living room where a very gorgeous but confused Ella stood talking to our new guest.
“I’m Brandi.” Her voice was so high-pitched it was almost bird-like. “With an i.” She stuck her hand out. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Ella,” she answered as Luca looped his arm around Brandi.
“You’resopretty, Ella.” She beamed at Ella who wore an off the shoulder floral sundress before turning her attention to Luca. “Babe, where were you? What’d you do with the booze?”
“It appears we’ve been cut off,” Luca said, giving me a pointed look.
“By who?” It took Brandi a few extra seconds to follow Luca’s gaze over to me and Derek. She zeroed in on me, deep in concentration, before letting out a shriek. Or maybe it was a dog whistle. “Oh my God! You’re one of the other Backstreet Boys! The old one!”
Ella choked on a laugh.
I raised a brow at her before extending my hand to Brandi. “Cash Montgomery.”
Brandi pushed past my hand and threw her arms around me. “I can’t believe it! My mama would be so proud. She used to listen to the Backstreet Boys all the time when I was little. Lucas better watch out. The old one’s always been my favorite.”
“I think you mean Luca,” I said.
