He shakes his head, his shoulders rumbling with laughter, and sings the chorus of the song under his breath while the group of us belts it at the top of our lungs.
And for the first time in a few weeks, I don’t feel like a failure. I forget what a disappointment I am. I enjoy my life for a small blink in time with a bunch of girls who I barely know, in close proximity to the person who makes me feel the safest—my brother.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ariana
“Get in the car.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest and glare up at my brother.
The world is spinning and he has four eyes, but his head is still giant enough for me to focus on. I blame the bride for this. She was ordering tequila shots like there was about to be a shortage, and she and Avery kept the eighties rock music coming, which made us all want to drink like those old rock stars used to.
I’m drunk.
“I’m not leaving you here.”
Carter sighs, dragging his hand over his face. “We’re getting you girls home first. I’ll meet you at the condo, alright?”
“Your friends left.” He thinks I didn’t notice, but as he was ordering the ride, and as we walked outside, I counted. There were five girls left after Declan had to bring Penny home when she pulled her neck. Avery decided to stay later with Tiffany and Lauren, promising Seth she’d get back safe. There isn’t enough room for my brother in this car, and I don’t leave him behind. Ever.
“We can wait for another,” Tiffany suggests from inside the car.
“No,” Carter and I say at the same time, and I offer a gentle smile to her as I turn back to my brother. “I’ll wait here with you.”
“I can wait with him,” Arden volunteers, bracing her hands on the headrest of the passenger’s seat.
“Stay in the car,” Carter orders, holding out his hand before she can climb out. He looks back at me. “My god, Ari. I’m a big boy. Get in.”
“I don’t want to leave y?—”
“I’ll get him home. Don’t worry.”
I whirl around, knowing that voice by memory, despite spending very little time with it. Boston nods as he approaches, his eyes sliding from me to my brother.
“Saltzy’s swinging back around to grab us. We have a ride. You guys take this one.”
I narrow my eyes. “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Boston Black?”
Boston smirks. I quite like that expression on his face. “Wouldn’t dare.”
“Because that’s not a good foot to start a relationship on,” I add, risking a step toward him. His smile widens, but I’m forbidden from getting as close as I’d like to. Carter’s hand is around my arm in seconds, hauling me back toward the car and away from my future husband. I swat at my brother’s hands as Boston pops his bubblegum. “God, you’re such a cock block.”
Carter’s eyes darken. He’s sick of my shit. My drunk shit is even worse than my sober shit.
He leans down until we’re eye level. “I love you to death, Ari, but if you don’t cut this shit out, I’ll literally send you back home to Mom and Dad in a straitjacket. Stop making my teammates uncomfortable.”
Teammate.Singular. Thank you.
“Fine,” I murmur. I glance over my shoulder to meet Boston’s awaiting stare, surprised to find him calm, cool, and collected. He’s unshakeable, this one. I hate it. He cocks a brow the longer I stare at him. “Get him home safe, Boston Black, or you’ll deal with me.”
Boston laughs, deep and hearty. “You got it, Ari. Cross my heart.”
“Don’t hope to die, though,” I say, crawling into the last seat of the rideshare next to Arden. I meet his green eyes, a smile pulling on my mouth when his face remains completely indifferent. “You’re far too pretty to die so soo?—”
Carter slams the door in my face before I finish my sentence. He runs his hand over his faceagain,refusing to even glance back inside the vehicle at me.
So dramatic.
