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“When did that happen?” I ask Peyton, gesturing to Aaron and Henna’s joined hands as we follow behind them.
“The night of the parties, I guess. They dropped me off and went out for a drink. The next morning he was at our place and I’ve seen him every day since then. Henna even paid double for another ticket on a reseller site just so he could come with us tonight.” She rolls her eyes.
“You don’t approve?” I question.
“Oh no, I really like Aaron. He seems like a great guy.”
“He really is.”
“It’s just Henna.” She shakes her head. “She’s an all or nothing kind of girl. Zero to sixty in three seconds flat. So far it hasn’t really worked in her favor.”
“Is that your way of telling me she’ll break my brother’s heart?”
“More like I’m afraid he’ll break hers. She falls hard and fast. I’ve seen the aftermath of that scenario more times than I care to admit.”
“Want me to warn him that I’ll break his face if he hurts her?” I keep my eyes trained forward, not sure why I don’t want to look at her.
It’s not like I haven’t hooked up with my fair share of women over the last three years. I’m not proud of it, but it is what it is. We all grieve in our own ways. But this girl... I don’t know. There’s something about her that doesn’t sit right with me and I’m not sure why that is.
“I’ll let you know if I’ll require your services.” She giggles and the sound makes my chest tighten.
What the fuck?
“You do that.” I slide up to the bar next to my brother. “What’s everyone drinking?”
“Apple martini for me.” Henna is the first to answer.
“I’ll take a beer.” Aaron taps the bar.
“Peyton?” I turn to see her eyes locked on me; an expression I can’t read etched onto her pretty face.
I shake away how that look makes me feel and try to ignore the uneasiness that settles in my stomach.
“Just water for me,” she finally answers. “I’m the designated.”
“Water it is. Apple Martini.” I point to Henna. “And beer for this one.” I bump my shoulder into Aaron’s.
Once I have everyone’s drinks ordered, I hand them out one by one as Rose sets them on the bar. Rob must have told her not to charge me because she walks away without asking for any money.
“You staying to see Hollow Hound play?” Henna asks as we make our way back toward the main hall.
“I was thinking I might catch part of their set. I haven’t seen them play in a while.”
“This is going to sound bad, but do you think you could maybe introduce us to them after the show?” She sips her Apple Martini.
“I wish I could. But they’re actually leaving right after the show. They have another gig tomorrow night in Cleveland, so they aren’t hanging around.”
“Bummer.” She pouts out her bottom lip.
I open my mouth to respond, but quickly snap it closed when my phone begins to vibrate. Snagging it out of my back pocket, I smile when I see Claire’s name flash across the screen.
“Hey,” I answer, clicking the volume up so I can hear her over the noise of the crowd.
“Well, how’d it goes? Did you rock their socks off?”
“It went really well.” I turn to the side when I feel Peyton’s eyes on me. “Better than I expected.”
“See, I knew you’d be fine.” She pauses. “What are you doing now? Based on the noise in the background I’m assuming you’re still there.”
