“It was your idea to do an open bar for him and all of his frat buddies. You realize the deposit probably isn’t even going to put a dent in the final bill.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you can afford it then, isn’t it? Besides, our little brother only turns twenty-one once. It’s our responsibility to make sure it’s a night he won’t soon forget.”
“Knowing you, you’ll have him so drunk that forget is exactly what he’ll do.”
“Remove the stick from your ass for one night, Penn. You think you can manage that?”
I silently watch the exchange between the two brothers, noticing not just how much things have changed, but how much has also stayed the same. These two have always bickered like this. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to hear them have an actual conversation where one isn’t picking a fight with the other.
“What about you, LV?” Alec’s attention swings to me.
“What about me?”
“Walker’s twenty-first, Rockets, you in?”
“Oh, I don’t think—”
“Before you say no, remember that this is sure to be the most epic party Wren Cove has ever seen and you’re most definitely going to regret it if you miss it.”
“I think I’ll get over it. Besides, Walker probably doesn’t even remember me. I doubt he wants me crashing his party.”
“Like this one would let any of us forget you.” He gestures to his brother.
“Alec.” Penn’s voice drips with warning.
My heart stutters in my chest.
“Please come, LV. At least then I’ll know one interesting person will be there.”
“When is it?”
“Tomorrow night, eight o’clock, at Rockets.”
“Sorry, I have plans.” I huff to really relay my fake disappointment.
“Like what? Hanging out with Mommy and Daddy?”
“Ouch.” I flatten my palm against my chest.
“She said she doesn’t want to go, Alec,” Penn interjects. “Leave it.”
“Oh, she wants to go. She just doesn’t think you want her to go.” He seems to read my hesitation perfectly.
Truth is, I wouldn’t mind making an appearance, but I’m not in the habit of showing up at places where I’m not wanted.
Penn meets my gaze for a brief moment, as if trying to gauge the truth behind his brother’s words.
“You’re welcome to come if you want,” he says, his eyes darting back to Alec, almost like he can’t bear to look at me for too long.
“I appreciate that, but there are certain people I’d rather not see.”
“If you’re referring to Cat, they broke up.” Alec tries to hide the smile on his lips, but it still shines brightly in his eyes.
I figured that’s what Jos and I witnessed the other night, but I had not received actual confirmation until now. I can’t deny that this little bit of information makes me happier than it should.
“We didn’t break up. We were never together.” Penn is quick to correct his brother.
“Semantics. Either way, you are no longer sticking your di—”
