Page 10 of We Were Something
But if he’s going to take that irritation and aim it my way because I prefer older men, I’m going to sass him right back. We’ve never made a habit of shaming each other—about anything—and I’m not about to let Wyatt start now.
“Let’s all back off the age-judging thing, okay?” Lennon says, likely sensing an argument around the corner. “Just because something doesn’t butter your toast doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it.”
My lips tilt up on one side, and I give Lennon a wink of thanks.
In truth, she’s one of the only people at this table who has a true understanding of my interest in older men, having been around for most of my mischief when we were a bit younger.
She and Lucas are the only two who know about my short affair with Mr. Kelson.
The truth is I just think men my own age are boys. Idiotic, self-centered, immature boys. I felt that way in high school, and I still feel that way now.
Take my ex, Giroux. I decided to give someone closer to my own age a try because he had all the right qualities on paper. Tall, dark, and handsome, obviously. Smart and charming. But he was incredibly immature and only focused on himself. I think it’s one of the reasons he was so bad in bed and why he could never manage to take care of me. He wanted to get to the part that was about him, and he thought a few quick finger bangs would do the trick to take me to the top.
I probably could have gotten over the whole entitled asshole thing if he hadn’t also cheated on me. But he did, and in my book, cheating is the one crime a relationship can never come back from. So, I was all too happy to move on and leave his subpar lovemaking to his mistress.
But the guy from the gala?
He was mature and sophisticated, I just know it. We might not have gotten deep, but there was a look in his eyes I could see even through my drunk goggles. It was a look that said he’d lived through some shit and come out on the other side a whole lot better.
That’sthe kind of guy I want in my bed. Someone who knows about life and love and a million other things. The kind of guy who would somehow help get me home without taking advantage.
Guys my age just don’t fit the bill. They’re entitled brats who assume everyone owes them something.
Too bad I drank too much and totally fucked up any chance with him. I mean…throwing up on a guyhasto cross me off of his to-dolist, no question. Right?
I just wish I had some way of remembering what exactly happened after my humiliating moment in the hall, how I got cleaned up and made it home.
I guess I’ll never know.
Our waitress begins delivering food around the table, and I use the break in conversation to check in with Lennon.
“Are we swinging by the hospital today?”
She shakes her head. “I can’t. I have that meeting this afternoon to go over the gala, remember? How does tomorrow work?”
I nod and flash her a smile.
“If you guys are planning to visit Ivy, you should invite Hannah,” Lucas interjects, leaning across the table and keeping his voice low enough that only Lennon and I can hear it. “I know she always loves an excuse to see her, plus her sign language is way better than both of yours put together.”
Lennon rolls her eyes.
“Okay, we would have invited her without that last part,” I tease. “We like Hannah a whole lot more than you.”
“Speak for yourself,” Lennon says with a snort before looping her arm through Lucas’. Then she looks back at me. “Hannah’s lovely, but she doesn’t make me see fireworks.”
Lucas smirks and leans back in his chair as I make a fake gagging noise at Lennon’s reference to their sex life. I’m actually super open to chatting about sex and all things dirty, but I never miss out on a chance to rag on the two of them.
“I’ll ask Hannah if she wants to come. Tomorrow night after work?” Lennon says, reconfirming our plans.
I nod, watching as Lucas returns most of his attention to the conversations popping up around the table. I saymostof his attention because I know he’s still keeping his ear open in case Lennon or I bring up Ivy again.
It seemed to take a long time before everyone was ready to acknowledge all of the truths.
That Wyatt and Ben’s younger sister Ivy isalsoLucas’ sister. And Hannah’s sister. Their entire family dynamic is like a soap opera, but they seem to be managing as well as they can, especially with Ivy stuck in the hospital for god only knows how long.
Lucas always defers to Wyatt and puts himself at the back of the pack when it comes to the teenager he’s always known as his best friend’s baby sister, but I know he’s desperate to care about her and build a relationship with her. Just like he was desperate to get to know Hannah when she first came into his life.
But everyone shows their care and concern in different ways, and Lucas does it with little things most people wouldn’t notice. Like encouraging Hannah to come along to the hospital to make sure there’s really good sign language interpreting.
