Page 8 of No Place Like Home
Luckily, Kora jumped in. “We had just graduated high school, and Bryson had come home from college. We were all at the river, and Darlene and Bryson just hit it off. They started seeing each other and, to make a long story short, it came out through a lot of yellingand fist-throwing that Rowan liked Darlene, and then he started acting like a baby . . .”
I narrowed my eyes.
“What, Summer? You know it’s true.”
I hated this story. The thought of Rowan liking Darlene always made bile rise in my gut out of jealousy, even after all this time.Move on, Summer.I shook my head and said, “Yeah, you’re right. But Bryson didn’t have to be a complete dick every chance he got.”
“Maybe,” Kora added, “but it was just a way Bryson could irritate Rowan, and it worked.”
I pointed at her. She totally hit the nail on the head. “Exactly! He was an asshole then and continues to treat Rowan like shit and has never apologized.”
“Maybe he should have apologized for how he acted, but apologies were never one of his strengths,” Kora agreed. “And apologizing isn’t something either one of them ever did. Add that to their disdain of each other and—”
“Okay!” Darlene put her hand up. “Please stop talking about my husband. Yes, he may push Rowan’s buttons too much, but he never wronged him in any way.”
“I know,” I agreed. How could I not? Rowan and Darlene had never been an item, and it was obvious from the very beginning that Bryson and Darlene were perfect together and disgustingly in love. Our talking about it wasn’t going to fix it. “You’re right. Now, let’s hope they grow up, and let’s get drunk.” I passed shots around and Darlene filled her water glass. “It’s weird, you not drinking with us,” I said. “Soon Kora will be baking a baby also, and I’ll have to drink by myself.”
“‘Baking a baby’? Seriously, Summer?”Darlene said.
I nodded. “Fuck yeah, I’m serious. Everyone’s moving on and leaving me out here by myself.” I picked up my shot.
“Hey, you got me,” Lilly said.
“Bullshit. You’re attached at the hip to Jamison.”
“There’s no ring on this finger,” she said wiggling her hand in the air.
“Yeah, not yet. Give it time,” I grumbled.
Kora smirked at me. “You won’t be alone. Rowan’s home now.”
“Yep,” Darlene agreed. “And he’s looking pretty good. Who knows what could happen.”
I eyed them both. “Take your shots and shut the hell up,” I said as I downed the clear liquid and glared at Kora and Lilly until they did the same, both with stupid grins on their faces.
“What’s wrong, Summer?” Kora asked. “Do you have your eyes on someone and been keeping it a secret?”
“That’s what I was wondering,” Darlene said, sharing a look with Kora as they both giggled.
“Or maybe she’s irritated because she’s going to give in to the angst between her and Rowan and finally do something about it,” Kora said.
“God, that would be awesome,” Darlene agreed. “Summer getting laid, having a few orgasms. Yeah, she needs that. It would help her relax a little, and she could use some relaxing.”
“Who could use some relaxing?” Rowan asked as he and the guys joined us back at the table.
I eyed Darlene through narrowed eyes, sending a silent threat that she’d better not answer that question.
She raised her brows and hid her giggle by taking a drink of water.
But it was Lilly I should have been worried about. “Kora and Darlene were just letting Summer know she needed to relax, and getting laid would help.”
I slammed my hands on the table and jerked my gaze toward Lilly. “Are you fucking serious?” I bellowed. “Damn, I expect that type of shit from them,” I jabbed my finger toward Kora and Darlene, “but you, Lilly, are supposed to be the nice one.”
Everyone got a hearty laugh, and I glanced at Rowan. He smiled, lifted his brow, and took a gulp of his beer. At least he didn’t seem to know they were talking about him. I rolled my eyes and waved to Barb, our server.
“Yes, darlin’,” she said in her thick southern drawl.
“More tequila shots, please,” I said.
