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“Bullshit. What was that all about?”
Rhett runs a hand through his shaggy hair. “I told you she’s been struggling.”
“Yeah, you said it in passing a few weeks ago and made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal.”
Rhett opens his mouth, but his words never come because the front door of Dirty Dicks flies open, bringing with it my baby sister, Adley, and a gust of warm air.
“I’m here, I’m here!” She waves, gliding across the floor. I love my sister, but she is notoriously late, and it drives me insane.
“Punctuality is a virtue,” I joke, earning a glare.
“So is empathy.” Bending down, she kisses me on the cheek. “Cut me a break. It’s my last semester, and I’m commuting back and forth to Houston for clinicals.”
“They’ve got you driving that far for clinicals?”
Lincoln pulls out the empty chair between him and Claire. Adley drops her purse to the floor and sits down.
“Unfortunately, but it’s necessary. Houston Memorial has the best pediatrics floor, and I’m learning a ton.” Adley points to the empty chair beside her.
“Claire.” Coop answers her silent question. “She’s in the bathroom.”
“Good. I’m glad she’s here. I’ve been wanting to talk to her.”
“You could always stay in my house,” Rhett offers when Adley turns her attention back to the table. “Mo and I aren’t there very often.”
“Oh…” Adley’s eyes dart around the table. “That’s very generous, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“We insist,” Mo counters. “It’s silly for you to drive an hour and a half before and after an eight-hour clinical rotation. And your brother’s place isn’t far from the hospital.”
“I—“ She looks around, avoiding eye contact with all of us except Mo. “I’ve got a friend who lives in the area. If I’m tired, I just stay there.”
“Better not be a guy,” Coop warns.
Lincoln sputters, choking on his beer, and Adley pounds on his back.
“You okay, buddy?” Rhett asks.
“Yeah. I’m good.” Linc covers his mouth. “Just went down the wrong pipe, that’s all.”
“So what if it is a guy?” Adley argues, her hand lingering on Linc’s back. “I’m a young, healthy female, and I have sexual needs just like you—”
“Shit,” I hiss, covering my ears. Coop and Rhett scowl at our baby sister. “We don’t want to hear about your needs, Adley.”
“Okay.” She holds her hands up. “Fine. I won’t talk about my sexuality as long as you buffoons don’t tell me who I can and cannot stay with.”
“Deal.” Coop drains the rest of his beer. “But if we find out it’s some prick and he hurts you in any way, all bets are off.”
“We’ll kill him,” Rhett adds.
I raise my beer to that, along with Rhett and Coop. We all look at Linc. He smiles and taps his bottle to ours, and we drink to protecting Adley’s virtue from all men everywhere.
“Why are men so stupid?” Adley says, looking at Mo.
“No clue,” she mumbles absently, her eyes drifting toward the bathroom.
The worried look on her face doesn’t sit well with me. I stand up from the table, and Rhett stops me. “Where are you going?”
“To get another beer.”
