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“Do you know where Avonna is, Linus?” I gesture to my Apple Watch. “We need to shift the dynamic a bit, and she’s late.”
Linus’ face reddens. He looks at Padraig, then at Liam. “Um. I thought she was here.”
“Let’s take an hour.” Ty stands. Stretches. “Get your house in order, my dudes. Remember, this is supposed to be fun. There’s no pressure. Nothing’s riding on any of this shit. We’re having a kick-ass time making music. Connor, you hungry?”
We leave them downstairs and head up to the kitchen. Ty pulls out some ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and buns. He seasons the meat and mixes in chopped onions. “Burgers on the grill?”
“Sure, I‘ll check in with Mae while you cook,” I say to his back as he walks out the sliding door.
When Ronni doesn’t answer, I wonder if I should call Yolanda. Decide against it and grab my sunglasses and join him on the patio. Zoey is lounging in the pool in a tiny black bikini. Ty’s busy cooking so I take off my shoes and sit on the edge, dangling my feet in the water.
She paddles her swan floatie over to me. “How’s it going?”
“Ty’s a genius, you know.” I avert my eyes from her body and focus on the clear, blue water. Just because she’s nearly naked doesn’t give me the right to look at my band brother’s wife. I’ve already seen her tits twice, though, through no fault of my own. Years ago, I walked in on them going at it in the practice room at Carter’s house. Last year, Ty had her pressed against the window in their bedroom, not realizing Zane and I were down here at the pool with a bird’s-eye view.
Perhaps sensing my discomfort, she rolls off the floatie into the water so her body’s submerged. She hangs on the side of the pool and rests her cheek on her arms. “Oh, I know. He’s spending all his time down there. I don’t see him much during the day. Sometimes he’s down there all night, too.”
“Aye. Sorry about that, Z. We’d hoped to make better progress but there’s something going on with my brothers. It’s affecting this recording session. I know how badly they want to make a hit record. It’s frustrating, so it is.” I swish my feet in the cool water.
Ty startles me when he comes up behind me holding out a giant beach towel for Zoey. “Liam, Linus, and Avonna are together. That’s what’s going on. It’s pissing Padraig off because he feels like the odd man out.”
“What thefeck?” I pull my feet from the water and stand. “Liam denied it. And Linus? My brother’s never been into men as far as I know. Why do you say that?”
He wraps Zoey in the towel when she climbs up the pool ladder and says carefully, “I saw them together.”
“He did, Connor. Yesterday, after you left. Padraig did too. He wasn’t happy.” Zoey shakes out her hair. “I’ll leave you two to discuss. I have a couple of calls to make anyway.”
“Wait, babe.” Ty dashes to the grill and assembles the burgers. Brings one to me and hands the second to Zoey. “You need to eat.”
She gives him a quick kiss and heads inside, leaving the two of us to dissect the situation.
I scratch my head. “So, they’re in a thruple?”
“I guess. I think that’s what the kids call it today.” Ty takes a bite of his burger.
“What do I do?” I’m completely out of my depth. And shocked if I’m being honest.
Ty studies me for a second as he finishes chewing. “Nothing to do. It’s not your call to make. As far as recording goes. Talk to Padraig. Reassure Liam it’s okay to love who he loves. He has such great potential as a vocalist, but he’s closed off. Maybe he’s afraid of being accepted for who he is.”
“Are you still seeing that therapist? She’s rubbed off on you, so she has.” I nudge him with my shoulder.
The look on his face is unreadable. I notice he doesn’t answer me.
“I was asking for Liam.”
He nods. “Lisa Kinkaid. I’ll text you her number.”
“Thanks.” I pick up my own burger. “For the record, I don’t care who my brothers love. As long as they’re happy. Who am I to judge?”
“I’m glad you feel that way. Maybe go play big brother?” He starts toward the door. “I’m going to finish my lunch with Z.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. Everyone knows what that means by now.
Truth be told, I’m grateful for some time alone. Grateful my own life is drama-free. I’m not much older than my twin brothers, they can figure their own shite out without my interference. Or opinions. I’ll be here to support them, of course.
As for now? I’m going to soak up the sun. Eat my burger.
And enjoy a little peace and quiet.
