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“Why didn’t you tell me you needed a ride? I thought you said you’d get a ride from your roommate,” I ask, reaching for a chip and dipping it in the salsa in the middle of the table.
“Because she flaked on me at the last minute, and I didn’t want to bother you on such short notice,” she says, grabbing the menu. Maddie lives on campus, which is the only way she could afford to move out here after she graduated high school.
I look back and forth between my sisters—Sophie, the oldest, and Maddie, the youngest—and see how similar their features are. Both have dark hair and a slender build. I’m the only one with blond hair, and as kids, they used to tease me and say I was adopted. It makes me laugh now, of course, but as a kid, it pissed me off and hurt my feelings. If I didn’t look exactly like a younger version of my grandmother, I might’ve believed them.
“What the hell is that?” My eyes snap up to Sophie grabbing Maddie’s wrist. “You got another tattoo?”
I hold back a chuckle because Maddie already sent me a picture. I’m the less judgy sister and don’t mother her quite as much as Sophie does. Our parents would never approve, and I’m certain it’s why she does rebellious things in the first place. I got it all out during my college years—partied, drank, and had fun before meeting Brandon—but Maddie is super focused on dance, so she acts out in phases.
Such as tattoos, knowing our parents would two hundred percent disapprove.
“It’s a butterfly!” Maddie yanks her wrist back and smiles down at it. “Isn’t it cute?”
Sophie purses her lips, clearly not agreeing. “Mom and Dad are gonna murder you.”
Maddie scoffs, then laughs. “Mom and Dad aren’t here, and last I checked, it’s my body.”
“You see this?” Sophie asks me.
I shrug, wanting to stay out of it. “It’s cute.”
“You knew,” Sophie accuses, reaching for her lemon water.
“Only after the fact!” I confirm. “You and I both know Maddie is gonna do whatever the hell she wants, so we might as well be supportive of her decisions.”
“I hope you got a tetanus shot.” Sophie groans, and fortunately for Maddie, the waitress shows up.
We all place our orders, and I continue eating chips and salsa.
“Someone’s hungry,” Sophie says with a chuckle. “Brandon forget to feed you this weekend, or were you two just too busy?”
Maddie’s eyes light up with realization. “Oh yes! Tell us all about your anniversary! Was there a lot of sex?”
“Maddie!” Sophie and I simultaneously scold her, except I’m laughing and Sophie’s cringing.
“What?” The corner of Maddie’s lip tilts up. “I need to live vicariously through you in that department, so no skimping on the details.”
I give them the PG version of our time together and how perfect it was. They swoon and tell me how jealous they are. I beam proudly, happy to be this damn happy. Soon we’re eating and laughing about other random things. “Brandon’s gonna meet us here in a bit. Wanna grab a drink and go to the side room? Maybe let me kick your ass in darts?” I ask after we pay the check.
“Well, I’ll have one drink,” Sophie starts. “Maddie can have a virgin something.” Sophie turns her head so she doesn’t get caught laughing.
“Really? Virgin jokes?” Maddie chuckles, not even fazed by it anymore.
“I’m just saying!” Sophie shrugs. “You can’t drink alcohol. Legally.”
“Unless my big sisters wanna buy me a drink?” she asks as we grab our things from the table.
“Nice try, Mads.” Sophie wraps an arm around her shoulder as we walk over to the bar side. “You’ll have plenty of time to experience puking your guts out all night and waking up with horrible hangovers.”
I snort, and both of them turn to look at me. “Oh, come on. Like Soph ever did that stuff. She’s all proper and modest.” I hold out my arm and wave a hand at her shirt. “I mean…” I point at her sweater that’s like an inch away from being a turtleneck.
“Hey! It’s chilly out, thank you very much.” Sophie pulls the sweater tighter against her chest, and Maddie and I both laugh.
“Point made,” I tease.
“I was too busy practicing and teaching to be skanking it around town, okay?” She tries to defend herself, but I love Sophie is this way. She’s the firstborn and always wanted to please our parents. Even after she moved away, she needed their approval. I can’t say I blame her really; a part of me wants that from them too, which is why I don’t tell my parents the truth when it comes to Brandon. What they don’t know won’t hurt them, so I only share necessary things.
“Lennon went to college and teaches, and I’m constantly working out and practicing my routines, so your excuse is invalid,” Maddie mocks, walking right up to the bar as if she can order.
