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She’d better be. Going to my mom’s birthday party at my dad’s estate isn’t exactly how I’d like to spend this weekend. But the fact she’ll be there will make the party more bearable.
“Yes. I’m going to drive there on Saturday morning. What time are you planning on getting there?”
I feel a hard slap on my back. Being in New York I immediately fear the worst, spinning around to confront my attacker. If they have a knife I’ll fucking run, but if they don’t I’ll hit back.
But instead of a glowering criminal I’m greeted by my brother’s grinning face.
“Jesus Christ, Eli. I was about to hit you in the gut.”
Eli’s grin doesn’t waver. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Are you talking to Eli?” Sophie asks.
“Yes. I’m meeting him and Holden for dinner.” A few years ago Myles would have been here, too.
“Have a lovely time,” she tells me.
“I’m heading back to my place afterward,” I tell her. “Can I call you then?”
Eli rolls his eyes. I send him a withering look.
“Of course.” She sounds happier, thank God. “Have a good dinner.”
“You too, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart?” Eli mouths.
“Fuck off,” I mouth back.
I end the call right as we walk around the corner to the block where the restaurant sits. Holden is walking toward us from the other direction. He looks harassed, but then Holden always looks harassed. When he told us he wanted to be a doctor we’d all warned him that his life would never be his own. He works at Hamilton General, a public hospital uptown.
We’re proud as hell of him. But he’s the only one of us that isn’t paid what he’s worth.
“Hey.” He goes to bump my fist but Eli body tackles him into the wall.
“Dude,” he says. “Good to see you.” Eli and Holden have always been close, the same way Myles and I are. And I guess Brooks and Linc, too, though their closeness borders on violence.
“You too.” Holden’s voice is muffled. “Can you let me go now?”
Eli laughs and releases him and the three of us walk into the restaurant, Holden regaling us with a story from today’s surgery as we wait for the Maître D’ to seat us.
We order three beers and look over the menu as Holden asks us if we’re all ready for the party this weekend.
“It’s gonna be good,” Eli says. “Apart from the fact that I have to give up my fucking cabin.” He gives Holden a pointed look. “You better give me the bedroom.”
“Not happening,” Holden tells Eli. “You get the sofa bed.”
Eli groans.
“It’smycabin,” Holden reminds him.
“Yeah, but I’m not there voluntarily,” Eli points out. “I’m being forced out of my own place so Liam’s girlfriend has a room to sleep in.”
“You have a girlfriend?” Holden asks me, shocked.
“Sophie’s a friend,” I say, because I know she’s still jittery and I can’t call her my girlfriend yet. “I’m working on the rest.”
Holden lets out a low whistle. “Wow. Never thought I’d see the day.”
