“Saw that coming.” He chuckles. “Wait... didn’t you two ride here together?”
“That we did.” I blow out a hard breath. “Though if I had to guess, I’d say her car is still here, but I highly doubt she left the keys inside.”
“It’s slowing down a lot. I’m sure Rocky can handle it from here if you want me to take you home.”
“You’d give me a ride?” I don’t know why this surprises me. Maybe because just earlier this week he acted like he wanted to rip my head off every time I entered a room.
“No, I’m going to make you walk all the way home by yourself.” His tone drips with sarcasm. “Give me a couple minutes to wrap up.”
“Take your time.” I wave him off, not all that eager to go home if we’re being honest.
I love my parents endlessly and I appreciate them letting me stay with them, but every single time I walk into that house, all I can think about is what I failure I am.
“London?” I turn toward a male’s voice I don’t instantly recognize, my eyes going wide when I get my first real look at Walker Kade in over seven years. I’ve seen him from a distance a few times throughout the evening, but this is the first time we’ve come face-to-face.
He was only twelve when I left, still a little boy really, but that is not the case anymore. Not only is he a good head and shoulders taller than me, but he’s also ripped. Like maybe the most muscular person I’ve ever seen in person.
“Walker Kade.” I smile up at him.
“I’ve been waiting on you to come say hello all night.” He gives me a dimply smile.
“Sorry. Turns out they needed a little help in the bartender department,” I say by way of explanation. In truth, I could have slipped away and said hello at any time over the course of the evening, but I didn’t because I honestly wasn’t sure if I should.
I haven’t seen Walker in so long and he was so young when I left, I doubt he remembers me all that much. I wasn’t trying to overestimate my own importance by imposing on his birthday party more than I already had.
“Yeah, I saw that Penn had roped you into helping.”
“I volunteered. Turns out, your brother is not a very good bartender.”
This pulls a laugh out of Walker, his broad shoulders shaking.
While Penn is by far the best looking of the Kade brothers—in my opinion—I can’t deny that both Alec and Walker have grown into their looks as well. All three of them are extremely attractive in their own right.
Walker has the same brown hair as his brothers, but where Alec and Penn both have hazel eyes, Walker has a crisp blue, the color of the sky on a cloudless day, which stand out against his tanned skin. I don’t have to wonder if he’s popular with the ladies. I know he is.
“So it would seem,” he agrees.
“I’m surprised to see you so... well, not drunk,” I admit.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s definitely been drinking—the smell of his breath is pretty clear on that matter—but he’s also not swaying or slurring, which for a twenty-first birthday party is quite the feat.
“Hard to hit the gym when you have a hangover. I drink but never in excess.”
“Not a bad rule to follow,” I agree, not really sure what else to say to that. “Happy Birthday, by the way.”
“Thank you.” His dimples reappear, making him seem younger than he is. “At the risk of overstepping, I really wanted to come over here and tell you that I’m glad you’re back. We all are. Penn was... Well, he’s been an absolute dickhead since you left. Kinda hoping you’re able to remove the stick from his—”
“Brother.” Penn chooses that moment to approach, eyes darting between me and Walker.
“I was just telling London here how much I appreciate her helping out tonight.” He smiles, eyes meeting mine for a brief moment as if to sayplay along.
“Is that so? I didn’t know you were capable of gratitude,” Penn states flatly.
“You wound me when you say things like that, you know?” Walker pouts out his bottom lip. “You act as if I’m some spoiled brat or something.”
“Or something,” Penn agrees.
“Stick. Ass,” he says to me, starting to back away. “I’ll see you around, London.” He tips his chin. “Penn.” He grins at his older brother seconds before spinning and disappearing back into the crowd.
