Page 93 of Tourist Trap

After dinner and cake at my parent's house, my mom insisted she have a sleepover with Sophie, and we all went out for a fun time. My sisters were in immediately, though it took a bit of convincing from Jules to convince Nate to come with. There was a bit of whispering and aJesus, Jules, that I refuse to think about too deeply before he agreed, and now we're here.

It's a dive bar at best, much like the Seabreeze, but one I've been to more times than I can count with my sisters and with Jules, Ava, and Harper. I've even brought June here on winter break in college, who instantly told me the vibe was like a younger Seabreeze.

"Harper coming?"

Ava rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "No, she has some work thing."

I nod and shrug, not very surprised since it usually takes a lot for Ava and Jules to convince their third friend to go out for the night since her boyfriend, Jeremy, is never willing to tag along.

"I hear you brought aman," she whispers, and I let out a laugh, tipping my head to the side to show where Miles is chatting with Nate. I'm so grateful my brother hasn't gone into weird older brother territory and seems to be playing nice with Miles.

"Oh, he'sfine," Ava breathes, eyes wide.

"Excuse me?" her husband, security to the stars, Jaime Wilde, says.

She rolls her eyes and slaps his chest. "I said he'sfine."

Her husband's jaw goes tight, and again, Ava rolls her eyes. She does that lot where her husband is concerned. I've never met two people who clash more but fit so perfectly together the way Jaime and Ava do.

"Calm down, Jaime; we all know no one could handle Ava except for you," Reed, bassist for Atlas Oaks, says, flopping into a seat next to Jaime. Now it's Ava's turn to glare at the big goofball that is Reed, though it bounces right off him.

I shake my head at people who have become my close group of friends here thanks to Jules. When I see everyone is here, I stand in front of the table we’re all sitting at and put my hands on my hips.

"Okay, quickly, because I'm only doing this one more time," I say. “Miles, this is Ava, her husband Jaime, Reed, and Wes. Everyone, this is Miles, my new boyfriend. He's a nice guy. Yes, he's Paul's older brother. Yes, he hates him as much as all of you do." Miles closes his eyes and sighs at the ceiling, but I keep going. "I don't want to catch any of you interrogating him, arguing with him, trying to trap him in some kind of weird fight for male dominance." Sloane lets out a small laugh, and when I look at Miles, his eyes are cautiously wide. "I don't think it'll happen, but I'm setting the ground rules now."

"Uh, okay?" he says.

"Everyone agrees? I like him a lot, and I don't want you guys to fuck this up." I purposely lock my eyes on my brother. "That includes you."

"I'd be more nervous about Sloane," he says under his breath.

I turn to my sister, who is smiling.

"Me? Never."

Another fucking lie because my sister does, in fact, like to run the men I date through the wringer. Miles stands and pulls me into his side. "Claire," he says. "I think it's going to be okay. I can handle a little interrogation if need be."

"That's what I like to hear," Sloane says, rubbing her hands together, and I roll my eyes.

"I would apologize, but I'm not changing anything," I say, with a smile.

"I wouldn't want you to.”

"You’re a brave man, Miles, dealing with that one," Sutton says, and I turn to my sister, my mouth dropped open and my eyes wide.

"Traitor!"

"How am I a traitor?"

"Because you're supposed to be onmyside! You'remysister!"

She rolls her eyes like it doesn't matter, then turns to Miles. "How long until I have to wear some ugly-ass bridesmaid dress?"

My mouth drops further, and I reach forward to hit my sister or push her or something, but Miles wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me back.

"Not too long, if I have my way."

I turn to him with a glare, but there’s a hint of happy shock rushing through me.

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