Page 50 of The Story of Us
“Back it up. Why did she say that? Did you try to kiss her?” Owen asked.
“Again,” Teddy interjected. “Remember, he’s already kissed her a bunch of times.”
Nate sighed. These two assholes, honestly. “You guys know Raff’s my favourite brother, right?”
“Sure he is. Why did Eloise say you couldn’t kiss her?” Owen repeated his question.
“We had a … moment last night. At my place.”
Nate shoved Teddy when he raised his hand for a high five.
“What kind of moment?” Owen asked.
“We were making bread?—”
“Hot,” Teddy interjected.
“Anyway, I was going to kiss her, and she asked me not to.”
“Because …” Owen raised his eyebrows at Nate.
“The last time I kissed her, I told her it couldn’t happen again, and she said my mixed messages were giving her whiplash. That I had to figure out what I wanted.”
“Damn, she’s a badass. Maybe I should kiss her?” Teddy joked, his face sobering when Nate shot him a glare.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Is there something else you’re not telling us? It’s been years since all that shit went down when you were in the US, but I’ve always wondered why you’ve never made a move.” Raff and Wilbur might be the detectives in the family, but Owen was far too shrewd. His brothers had never understood how Nate had gone from being in a very committed relationship to banging every woman who’d so much as raised their eyebrow at him to nothing.
Nate was saved from answering when they turned into High Street. The Wattle Junction Hotel was lit up like a Christmas tree. Cars lined the street, and the air crackled with excitement.
“What’s that say?” Teddy pointed at the bus parked opposite the hotel. Pictures of half-naked men wearing Akubras and not much else decorated the sides.
“Down Under Dudes,” Owen replied. “Believe me. I heard all about them this afternoon from Alice. Some strip group from Sydney the maid of honour organised. Did you hear about the party favours from the bridal dinner?”
“No.” Teddy’s head whipped between his brothers. “What am I missing here? I can tell it was amazing based on your smiles. C’mon tell Uncle Teddy.”
“Bianca gave everyone rabbit vibrators.” Owen chuckled.
“I think I love her,” Teddy sighed, earning himself a laugh from Owen and a rueful head shake from Nate.
“Shall we go and see what the fuss is about?” Owen said.
“Need some new moves to keep your lady happy?” Teddy joked.
“Alice is very happy, mate. Watch your mouth.”
Nate groaned, remembering something else from that night in the city. “Believe me, I heard all about howhappyAlice is on the drive home from the bridal shower.” Nate turned to Teddy. “Don’t sit on anything at their house ever.”
“Niiiiiiiiice.” Owen returned Teddy’s high-five begrudgingly.
* * *
Strobe lights flashed,and pop music pounded as the ‘Down Under Dudes’ shook their asses as if their lives depended on it. You know, just a typical Friday night for Eloise.Not.
Half-drunk cocktails decorated the high-top tables Eloise and Sera were clustered around with the other bridesmaids, all wearing sashes and tiaras. The rest of the room was filled with everyone in town who possessed two X chromosomes and was over eighteen. Joanie was boogieing in the corner, her arms raised in a dance move that was more reminiscent of the chicken dance than anything else.
“Your money sucks,” Sera shouted in Eloise’s ear, her diamante tiara tipped to the side, the bright pink sash designating her as the ‘bride-to-be’ popping against her white lace halter dress. “You guys need dollar bills. Coins just aren’t the same.”
