Page 9 of Pinky Promises

“You can have a glass, right?”

Hadley nods enthusiastically. “Oh yes, but just a small one. I’ll pump and dump later.”

It doesn’t take much for Hadley to get drunk these days—I’m sure that’s what nine months of being sober does to you. She’s come a long way from the college girl who used to do keg stands well into the early morning hours.

“Are you talking about whipping out your tits, babe? Because I’m all game for that but prefer not to have an audience.” The deep voice from the hallway causes all of us to jump.

I didn’t even hear them walk in—they’re like goddamn Harrington ninjas or something.

After checking that my jumpiness didn’t disturb Olivia, I look up just in time to see Asher and Ben enter the kitchen, arms full of bags with pastel logos.

They set the bags down on the counter before seeking their significant others. I swallow the slight pang in my heart, recalling that I’m now singleagain.Instead of letting my feelings come to the surface, I focus on Olivia.It looks like it’s just you and me, sweet girl.

For someone who wanted to lose the audience for Hadley’s boobs, he sure as hell doesn’t seem to mind us while he passionately kisses her. It’s a wonder she’s not already pregnant again with the way they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other.

Okay, now it’s just getting awkward as Hadley lets out a small moan when Asher fists a handful of her ass. I clear my throat before clothes start coming off.

“Hey, Brynn,” Ben says, pulling Lexi into his chest. Asher mimics his movement with Hadley. “Is Cal joining us?”

I can’t help but notice that he asked about Cal and not Spencer. I guess everyone is just so used to it always being Brynn and Cal. Maybe there is some truth to what Spencer said. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about his reasoning.

“He’s, umm, meeting Zoe for coffee.” My voice grows timid and drifts off as I pretend to pick off hairs from Olivia’s blanket. I clear my throat and get out of my head. “But he mentioned something about coming over in a bit to watch the game.”

“You guys are watching the game?” Lexi asks as she begins to sort through the food containers. If I had to guess from the delicious aroma wafting through the kitchen, we might be making Holy Crepe a new brunch hot spot. I sure hope I’m not drooling. Callum is totally missing out.

“Yeah, we didn’t have any plans besides this, right?” Ben steals a sip from Lexi’s glass. “I mean, all wedding plans are set. We’re only a week away; what more could we have to do?”

The girls and I share a knowing look. In Lexi’s mind, there’s always going to be something to finalize. She will most likely be making decisions up until she’s walking down the aisle.

“Chicks, man,” Asher snickers over his shoulder at his brother as he stalks toward me. He gently scoops Olivia from my arms, and I pout. In a matter of seconds, he transforms from looking like he’s ready to throw Hadley over his shoulder caveman-style to a loving father ready to give his daughter the world.

“Hi, baby girl, Daddy is back. Did you miss me?” She completely consumes his view. The house could be burning down, and he would only see Olivia. I’m pretty sure my father would rather save himself before me, but Cal? He would burn down the whole world for me.

“No, it’s fine, babe.” Lexi returns the attention to Ben. “We can take care of it.” She pops a piece of fruit in her mouth. “Oh, Brynn, can you ask Spencer if he’s planning to ride with the guys to the vineyard or will be driving solo.”

And there it is.

I’ve only been here for thirty-five minutes, and this is the first mention of Spencer. I nibble my bottom lip and take a large sip of my mimosa.

“Umm, so about that. Spencer won’t be attending.” I stare down at the ground. My gaze flicks between Hadley and Lexi, whose expressions are a combination of confusion and concern.

“Why not?” Lexi slaps her hands on the countertop. “What aren’t you sharing?”

I twist the stem of the glass back and forth between my fingers. It’s time to rip the proverbial Band-Aid off. “Spencer and I broke up.”

“What? When? What happened?” both girls ask questions in tandem.

I glance over to Ben and Asher. Both are avoiding me like the plague.Cowards.If Callum were here, he would have swooped in to save the day. The accusations Spencer threw at me last night have seeped into my mind like water in a sponge the more I think about the differences between Callum and me versus other guy friends and me. So maybe our friendship isn’t what some people would consider conventional, but is that honestly a bad thing?

“You know what?” Lex claps her hands together. “You boys take your food and Olivia out to the living room, and we’re going to take our food and this bottle of champagne out to the patio and have girl talk. Babe”—she turns to Ben. “—can you put another bottle in the fridge to chill, just in case.”

Ben does what she asks before grabbing two containers and leaving the kitchen with Asher and Olivia in tow.

With hands full of takeout containers and beverages, we make our way out to the gorgeous back patio and settle in at the glass table.

“Holy crepe, pun intended, this is so good,” Hadley laughs as she shoves a piece of food in her mouth. “Okay, now spill,” she instructs, pointing her fork in my direction.

Do I tell them the whole story, including the reason behind the breakup?Since they met Callum in college and discovered he wasn’t my gay bestie, they have been pushing for us to end up together because of our “intense chemistry,” so this would add fuel to their fire. They just don’t get what’s all at stake for us if things go badly. But I don’t keep secrets from them, so here goes nothing.

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