Page 6 of Hale Yes
Dutton tenses beside me, muttering, “Come on, Rem-bo. Let him have it.”
But he doesn’t. Instead, he dips his head and kisses the woman full on the mouth.
“Ha! The oldhi honey, I’m backroutine,” Phoenix crows. “It’s a classic.”
“Well, shit,” my cousin curses, pulling out his western-style wallet and counting out a stack of hundreds as the interloping blond guy storms away. He hands it over, and I absently stick the bills into the back pocket of my trousers.
“Oooh, she’s asking him to sit down,” I say, fully invested in this ludicrous scheme now.
“And he’s actually smiling,” Phoenix says like a proud father.
The music changes from the club mix to a George Strait classic, and Dutton tips his hat at us, grinning in that cheeky way he has. “Gentlemen, I have a lady to hold in my big, strong arms.”
And then there were two…
Remi and the redhead left together about thirty minutes ago, and then the rest of the bachelor party said their goodbyes, most of them also leaving with women on their arms. Phoenix and I are in a quiet corner with our drinks and our bond.
“Are you ready for next month?” my brother asks as we sit on gray leather padded seats around a small table.
I nod, feeling slightly guilty about drinking while I’m in training, but it’s not something I do often. After this weekend, I’ll be back to my regular strict diet and schedule.
“I’m ready.”
“How’s the back?”
I twist from side to side to demonstrate that all’s good. I’d been training for the Olympics for years, and four years ago I pulled a muscle during a minor car accident, forcing me to miss the swimming trials. But it's my time now.
“Never felt better,” I tell him honestly. “I think I’ll definitely qualify for the breaststroke, and I’m hopeful for the two-hundred-meter freestyle as well.”
“I can’t wait to watch you win gold,” he says proudly before narrowing his eyes at me over the table and changing the subject. “So what’s going on with you and Kayla?”
“It’s time to end it,” I say, taking an easy sip of my drink. The lime tingles against my tongue, and my bones seem to relax one by one. It’s been a while since I’ve been drunk or even tipsy, but I’m well on my way tonight.
“It’s been time,” my brother replies. “She seems to have gotten clingier.”
I shove a hand through my dark-brown hair. “Yeah, I don’t do well with that, but I couldn’t just leave her right after her grandmother passed.”
“You’ll find someone,” he remarks. “But she’s not it. I don’t mean to sound like a dick, but Kayla’s not smart enough for you. You need someone who can challenge your intellect.”
He’s right, but I don’t really like talking about myself, so I shift the subject. “Are you sure Bea is the right one for you?” Beatrice hates being called Bea, so I do it as often as possible.
Phoenix’s eyes widen. “Of course she is. Why would you ask that?”
“She just seems more like Remi’s type. Driven and ambitious, where you’re more easygoing.”
My brother shrugs. “We balance each other.”
We’re silent for a while, and I finally break it. “You think Rem will ever get with Serena?”
Phoenix makes a gagging sound. “Fuck, I hope not. But it’s not for lack of effort on her part. She’s been trying to get her claws into him for years.”
“You think they’ve ever hooked up?”
He shakes his head vehemently. “Nope. I asked him once, and he assured me they’re only friends.”
“Fingers crossed it stays that way.” I don’t say it aloud, but the thought of having Serena and Beatrice both as sisters-in-law makes me want to drink lighter fluid and then swallow a lit match.
I twist my glass on the table and watch the condensation make wet rings against the smooth surface, only looking up when Phoenix leans forward. “Hey, you know what we should do?”
