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“An engagement gift for Brady and Violet.”
I swing my gaze Lee’s way as he returns from the bedroom. “You didn’t tell me I had to get them a gift.”
He holds up his hands. “I didn’t know. Shayna took care of that.”
“You know, if you had a woman in your life, she would help you do these kinds of things,” Shayna says in a singsong voice.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t start.” I swing open the fridge door. “What do you guys want to drink? I’ve got light and regular.”
Shayna peers over my shoulder. “Light or regular what?”
“Beer,” I answer, straightening up so she can see around me.
“You don’t have any coolers?” Shayna asks.
I look at her. “I have a subzero freezer right here.” I point at where it is directly beside the fridge. “Why would I need a cooler?”
She presses her lips together and looks back at Lee, who is already laughing. Fuck them. I didn’t want to do this in the first place.
“I think she means wine or vodka coolers,” Lee says.
My forehead wrinkles. “Oh… no. Just beer.” I motion to where all the bottles are lined up like soldiers in the large fridge.
“That’s okay. I’ll just take a light beer then,” she says with a tone that suggests she’s unhappy.
“Same,” Lee echoes.
The doorbell rings and I pass them each a beer. “Here. I’ll be back in a second.”
Thank God I gave the concierge the names of everyone I’m expecting and directed him to let everyone up; otherwise, I would have to spend half the night answering his calls.
When I swing open the door, Darius and Elijah are arguing about some draft pick. Darius is a defensive end on the team and Elijah is a cornerback, and they both think they know the most about football. They make predictions on trades and always tell the other they don’t know what they’re talking about.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Elijah says before greeting me with a big smile.
“Hey, guys.” I let them in, and we shake hands, then hug, patting each other on the back.
“Hey, hostess with the mostest,” Darius says with a laugh.
“No thanks to you two.”
When we took a vote in the locker room as to who should host tonight, both these pricks voted for me.
Eli claps his hand on my shoulder. “C’mon, it can’t be that bad.”
“Yeah? Next time you host something, and we’ll exchange notes.” I arch an eyebrow.
“All right, whenever you get engaged, I promise I’ll host the engagement party.” Eli grins, slaps Darius on the back, and the two crack up all the way into my kitchen.
“Har har. We all know me getting engaged is about as likely as Darius here winning a round of poker.”
Eli points at Darius, who scowls, and I laugh.
“You guys have jokes, huh?” He’s always on the losing end of our poker games.
“Beer is in the fridge, and food is on the counter. Which reminds me, I gotta order the pizza.”
The two of them share a look with raised eyebrows.
