Page 37 of Under My Skin
I nod.
He lets out a laugh. “No. And definitely not when someone terrified of bikes is riding with me.” He looks over at Simon, his grin growing. “Thatwas stupid.”
My brother rolls his eyes. “We’re all alive and well, aren’t we?” Throwing an arm over my shoulder, he gives me a light squeeze. “I’ll buy you a drink to make up for it.”
He goes to walk inside and nudges me forward under the weight of his arm. My wobbly legs are forced to move, and I shoot him another glare before ducking out from under him and walking into the bar myself.
As soon as I yank the door open, I’m met with the deafening sound of live music and excited chatter. I take in everything around me. From the band playing a classic rock cover to the mountain décor, everything about this place screams Copper Ridge. The wood accents and stone details alone are impressive. No wonder it’s popular. If there had been a place like this while I lived here, I’d want to come all the time.
I jump when a hand touches my upper back but then relax once I realize it’s just Everett trying to get my attention. He stands behind me, pointing to where Troy has grabbed a high-top table near the bar with Toni. When I look up at Everett, I’m struck by our height difference. The top of my head only reaches hischest. I only snap out of my daze when his jaw tenses, and he nods toward his friends before stepping around me to lead the way.
“About time you showed up.” Troy grins at the two guys before looking at me with all seriousness. “Not you. You can take as long as you like.”
I huff a laugh as I hoist myself onto one of the barstools. “Thanks.”
He winks, and I do my best to fight my smile. It feels good to have someone flirt with me. I can’t say I’m interested in Troy, but I won’t lie and say the attention isn’t nice. Allison and I used to go out together, and I’d meet guys who were interested in me every now and then, but as soon as she started dating Dina, those days were over. It’s a lot harder to meet a guy at a bar when you’re tucked away in a booth somewhere with a blissfully happy couple. After a while, I just stopped going. I poured everything into getting my logo business, Summit Designs, off the ground and building my clientele. I haven’t been buzzed since Allison and Dina’s wedding when I hooked up with Dina’s second cousin from Maine. I mean, I can’t say I threw caution to the wind completely. In my drunken state, I still had enough mind to make sure Dina didn’t have a problem with it. She still likes to call me the most considerate drunk.
A wave of homesickness washes over me at the memory. I miss wine nights with Allison and Dina. I miss staying up too late and watching movies with them. I even miss them trying to set me up with every straight man they know. Those things feel like home, but ever since Allison and Dina got married, they’ve been happening less. Where do I go from here? What’s in store for me after my unfortunate roommate sentence ends?
I pull out my phone to text Allison but check the time first. Colorado is two hours behind, so the wedding Allison planned is probably just about to wrap up. I’ll wait to text her once I know she’s done.
I lift my gaze to find Everett directly across from me. He’sstill a part of the conversation with everyone else, but he keeps glancing at me like he can physically see the cloud of thoughts I’m lost in.
I blink, trying to clear my head and focus on whatever they’re talking about.
Simon excitedly looks between the other two guys. “Come on, how cool would it be? I’m proud of my heritage!”
Toni rolls her eyes. “What heritage? Do you even know where your family originates from?”
Simon drums his fingers on the table before saying, “Fine. I’m proud of my lineage? I don’t know. I just like my last name.”
Toni scoffs as she tosses her sleek black hair over her shoulder. “White boys.”
Before I have the chance to say anything, Everett shakes his head. “You’ll look like an asshole. I’ll do it if you really want it, but you’ll definitely look like an asshole.”
“You want to tattoo our last name on your body?” I ask, not bothering to hide my shock.
Simon doesn’t look nearly as embarrassed as he should. “On my back. I think it would be cool.”
I slowly shake my head. I can’t believe we’re related sometimes. “If you’re that worried about forgetting how to spell it, you should probably put it somewhere you can see it.”
Everett laughs, and his eyes crinkle. Knowing I caused it brings a smile to my lips.
“What’s your last name?” Troy asks, looking between Simon and me.
“Blake,” I answer before Simon has the chance to say anything.
Now it’s Troy’s turn to laugh, but it doesn’t give me the same satisfaction. “I don’t know,” he says like he’s weighing the options. “It could be cool. I’ll do it for you if this guy won’t.” He nods to Everett.
Everett holds up a hand to block out Troy as he looks at Simon. “Don’t listen to him. All he sees is dollar signs when you talk. I’m the one who cares about you.”
Simon looks back and forth between the rest of us. “You guys really think it’s a bad idea?”
Without hesitating, Toni answers, “Terrible,” at the same time I say, “The worst.” Her eyes skate over to me under her pink bangs, and the tiny smile lifting her lips feels like the biggest compliment. There’s something about Toni that makes getting her approval feel crucial. No wonder Everett eats with chopsticks because of her.
With a groan, Simon relents. “Fine. I won’t do it.” He points a thumb at Toni. “I need to make sure she likes my body when she’s finally ready for me.”
Toni gives my brother a look of disgust, and Everett gets to his feet. “And on that note, I need a drink. Luce, you’re the only other sane person here, so what would you like?”
