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“But you’re protective of Lil?”
“Isla is a keeper. She’s special.”
“I’m aware of that fact, Grams. Painfully so, but thanks for the reminder.” I know I’m not as close as I should be to my grandmother, but to hear her take Lil’s side over mine stings. And worse is, I know she’s a hundred percent right. Seeing her now is a lot fucking harder than I thought.
We carry on dancing in silence, and I spy Lil at the bar talking with Taylor. Again.
I bet she doesn’t even know how fucking good she looks.
The music stops, and I walk Grams back to Dad and head towards the bar. And Lil.
Bloody hell.
By the time I reach it, dodging well-wishers and family, I can’t see Lil anywhere. I order a drink and look along the gleaming surface, just in time to see Eric heading right for me. “Hey, dude.” I pull him into a hug, slapping his back for good measure. “What’s up?” I’ve barely taken a sip of a drink. And, after the dancing and conversation with Grams, I need one. Sitting and staring at Lil all afternoon felt like a personal kind of torture – or punishment, perhaps. Dancing with her was all kinds of good, but now I’m questioning it.
“I could ask you the same thing. What gives?”
“Sorry, I don’t follow?”
“Isla. What’s up with you? First, you make a complete dick of yourself when she arrives, and now this – dancing, hands everywhere like she’s just some girl to score with. You know she’s had the biggest crush on you since we were kids.”
“That was years ago. I’ve not seen her in ages. I’m just having fun, as she is.” What’s with everyone and the warnings, like she’s some precious family heirloom?
“Well, I’m pretty sure she’ll still be crushing on you.”
“Okay, well…” Eric and Lil were close, like all of us were when we were younger, but he’s never indicated he didn’t like the idea of us together. There were plenty of times that I liked the idea of something between us, even wanted it, but she was too young then. But now… hell, watching her and holding her, she certainly didn’t feel like Eric’s little sister anymore.
“No. Stop that shit. She’s my baby sister. You are not going there because I’d really fucking hate to punch that face of yours. Especially after all this.” He looks around at the wedding celebrations going on.
“She’s off limits?” I ask, already feeling the frustration rising and wanting to grab another look at her.
“Hell, yeah. The fact you have to ask is not cool.”
Eric’s had a few drinks. Maybe he’s being overprotective because of the occasion. That must be the explanation because I’m his best friend. Why wouldn’t he be okay with us hooking up?
“And if she puts the move on me?” I ask because I’ve seen her look at me, too. And maybe I know that she’s harboured feelings for me, and now that we’re both older, there’s no harm in seeing where things could go.
“I don’t fucking care. She knows what you’re like. I know what you’re like, and I might love you, but there’s no way you’re hooking up with my sister and ditching her. She deserves better.”
“Ouch.”
“Deny it.”
He has a point, but I don’t want to look too hard at that right now. “How does Lil know what I’m like?” She can’t. Not really, because we’ve not spoken in years.
“We talk. And she’s friends with Taylor.”
“Yeah, how and when the fuck did that happen?” I feel annoyed by this – more than I want to be.
“Don’t hate on Taylor because you ghosted. She knows your reputation, man. And besides, it doesn’t matter because you’re not going to do anything, are you?”
Fuck.
“You’re serious.”
“Afraid so.”
I shake my head and look back at him. “Whatever, man. I’m not going to do anything. Now chill out and enjoy your wedding.”
