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“Fuck no. Cohen and Kira were making out, and Alex was sticking his tongue down Ciara’s throat when I left.”
“Oh.” Also, “Gross.”
He laughed. “Some other chicks were in there eyeballing Trenton, so Clint had moved to sit by Leanne. You’re safer out here.”
I considered asking how he was so okay with my cousins after last night, but he’d already told me they would be. The explanation made sense to him so I was letting it go.
“Can I ask about your dad?” I asked instead.
“I have my dad’s last name, who I don’t have a relationship with, and I don’t want to get into that either . . .”
His smirk vanished, and his lips thinned. “No. Actually trying not to be a dick here, but that’s a story I never plan to tell anyone. He’s a piece of shit and I’m better off without him.”
My heart squeezed.
His dad was alive and not in his life. My dad was gone, and I’d give anything to have him back. “I’m sorry.”
His eyes held mine.
I added softly, “Everyone should know a good dad.”
“I do.”
I waited.
He flashed me a hard grin. “Nick’s not a great husband, but he seems like a good dad.” He finished his coffee and tossed it into the garbage by us. “And maybe you can tell me about yours? I can know a second one.”
Pain sliced through me, but something else was mixed with it. It was bittersweet. “I’d actually love to do that. He was so great, it’s part of the reason he’s not here anymore.”
“Then you definitely need to tell me about him.” He snagged my water and stood. “Come on, Williams. We might as well watch the end of the movie.” I went with him, snatching my water back. “You just said you didn’t want to go in?”
“Changed my mind.”
“Why would you want to watch the end without watching the whole movie?”
He shrugged. “If I like the ending, I’ll rewatch and enjoy the whole thing. If I don’t, I’m not going to waste my time.”
“That also makes no sense.” We got to the door and paused.
“Good.” He pushed it open, his hand at the small of my back, and he gently shoved me ahead of him. “Because I’m totally fucking with you.”
58
SCOUT
There were a lot of situations happening after the movies.
One, Ramsay’s two friends were all over her, sneaking looks my way. I was sure she was being interrogated about our mid-movie disappearance, but Ramsay looked as if she were holding her own, waving them off. The guy was steamed, sent me a withering glance before frowning to himself.
I almost laughed.
Second, the guys wanted to go drinking at the river. We had a bonfire ring with seating around it for a reason. Miles liked knowing where I was if my friends were drinking. I knew this because he’d told me many times.
The other ordeal was Amalia.
Cohen didn’t want her drinking with them.
Kira declared that if Amalia left, Gabby should go with her.
That was a whole other situation because when she said that with Gabby looking hurt before she sent a nasty look in Ramsay’s direction. I had no clue what was going on. I just knew that I was staring at Ramsay and thinking that we could’ve had a quickie in the time it was taking for everyone to figure out what the fuck they wanted to do for the night.
In the end, Ramsay’s guy friend huffed, “We’re doing a dance party.”
Theresa added, “Just us. No one else is invited.” She turned to Ramsay. “We need to pick up Gem and grab our stuff.”
Clint drawled, “Damn. No cousin tonight.” He was being sarcastic, hanging all over Leanne. “Love you, Rams.”
“Shut it, Clint. Love you too.”
He smirked at her.
Trenton clapped his hands together. “That all seems settled so can we”—he swept the group in an exaggerated motion—“can get going?” His arm fell down around his girl’s shoulders. Her friends giggled, thinking that was hilarious.
I was tempted to opt out of everything and see if I could hide in Ramsay’s bed until her friends passed out, but then we were on the move and heading to the parking lot.
Cohen veered my way. “Can you take Amalia home?” He nodded toward Kira, whose face was flushed. “Because, you know.”
I gave him a look. “It’s my uncle’s gym.”
“We can wait until you show up before the girls need to use the bathroom. We’ll be good. You know that.” He flashed me a grin, heading off to catch a ride with Kira.
Ramsay was staring intently at her mom and aunt before they broke off to their different vehicles. The only cousin who caught the exchange was Clint, who shared a look with Ramsay before she slid into the car with her mom. Theresa and their dude friend, who waved at me, got in with them.
