Page 46 of About That Night

He smiles back. “Guess not. It’s ingrained in me.”

“I’ll just take a Coke if Hank has one.”

“He’s got everything. He’s not a minimalist.”

“What about you?” I follow Conway to the kitchen.

“I’m a classic bachelor. I have crap furniture, and I live with Toby.”

Their other brother. “How is he doing?” Toby is between Conway and Cash in age, and I only vaguely remember him because he was away at college when I was in high school.

“He’s a firefighter, so if Hank sets that deck on fire tonight, you’ll get to see him again.”

That makes me laugh. “Well, let’s hope not.”

We’re talking about Conviction and the plans for its opening when Hank comes in, a pair of tongs in his hand. Smoke blows into the apartment, which he doesn’t seem to notice. He has a look of contentment on his face. “Man, I love charcoal grilling. The challenge of uneven heat is sexy as hell.”

Conway rolls his eyes. “You need to date more if that’s sexy to you.”

“Look who’s talking,” Hank says. “When was the last time you dated?”

“Last night.”

“Oh, damn.” Hank gives me a wink. “Hey, Chas. Did you hear that? Conway is dating. That’s how we keep it rated G for Josiah.”

“I think G-rated is more like ‘you need to go to the movies more’ or ‘you should spend the weekend at the amusement park,’” I say.

Conway lets out a bark of laughter. “She did say she liked the ride.”

Yikes. Is this still G-rated? I’m not even sure. I glance over and see Josiah is happily playing with his Spider-Man ten feet away.

“You’re lying,” Hank says with a scoff, setting his tray on the stainless steel island top. “But it’s true, I personally haven’t been to the drive-in for ages.”

“Uh…”

The meaning is getting muddled to me. Is the drive-in a pussy? Is he the parked car? I have no idea.

I try not to picture what it’s supposed to mean. I also don’t want to think about the fact that, at some point, Hank will date. Which is totally unfair given that I’m supposed to be dating and have plans with two different guys. Hank has every right to date.

Just hopefully never anywhere that I have to witness it for myself because I’m absolutely certain I’ll be jealous. Which makes me a mess.

I don’t even know why I say ‘uh’ when I have zero intention of completing the sentence.

“Stop talking about the amusement park,” Hank says to Conway as he piles something that smells and looks delicious all over the oysters. “You’re making Chas uncomfortable.”

That makes me feel uncomfortable. “No, no, you don’t have to…I’m not…” I’m embarrassed Hank thinks I can’t have a friendly conversation with silly innuendos. “I love the boat ride,” I say, because I don’t want to be boring and off the invite list for any future oyster-tasting pop-ups. “You know, when you come down hard and get all wet.”

Hank makes a strangled sound in the back of his throat before reaching for his beer and taking a huge swig.

Conway grins and nods in approval. “Nice.” He snags a grilled oyster and raises it to his lips.

“No,” Hanks says to his brother, slapping his beer back down. “Not nice. No nice-ing Chastity’s splash mountain.”

My jaw drops.

Conway chokes on the oyster in a fit of laughter. He’s pounding on his chest.

“He was acknowledging my poor attempt at humor,” I tell Hank. “Nothing more. Right, Conway?”

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