Page 91 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
“Yep.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s important that we perform the right kind of show every year.”
Should I just tell him?I knew their secret, I knew who they were and how they lived. It was okay. They didn’t have to hide or worry, but how would I tell them? It wasn’t like they confessed their family’s secrets, but they said it was okay for me to kiss all of them at the same time. Maybe that was enough?
“Barrett,” I took a deep breath. “Listen?—”
I never got to finish because Julian came through the door and stopped abruptly.
“This is where the two of you have been hiding while I have been stuck at a cardboard table in our living room eating with our parents because all of the furniture we can use is currentlygone? Where is Jeremy? Where’s Phoenix? If no one is going, I need a heads up because I can only take so much of this.” He sat down next to me, sandwiching himself between Barrett and me. “And what is this? Grilled cheese? Do you know that we just hadshakes? Meal replacement shakes, gluten free, sugar free and salt free, so no one would look bloated tomorrow.” He closed his eyes, his expression pained. “I like food too much for this.”
I took his hand, and he lifted his lids to gaze at me, adoring me with his eyes. I asked him, “Would you like me to make you a grilled cheese?”
“No. I’m actually full. Not happy but full. What are we doing now? I’ve found you, so I’m not leaving.”
Barrett grabbed the plates and took them over to the sink where he left them sitting.Oh no, that won’t do. I rushed over and started scrubbing them. The silence that filled the room told me they were both silently judging me.
I turned off the water. “What?” I asked without bothering to turn to face them.
“Why are you doing that?” Barrett nudged me from my left while Julian took the place at my right.
“Because I don’t want the maid or anyone else to have to clean up after me.” I shrugged. “I don’t want to be a bother.” I walked past them quickly to the living room. “How about a movie? What time are we going?” Did I sound frantic? I wasn’t sure why panic filled my throat, and I didn’t know what to do with it. Usually, I swallowed it down. “Should we go for a run?”
Julian caught me from behind and pulled me into a hug. He felt so warm. Safe. I closed my eyes, soaking up that warmth. Barrett came up behind me and hugged us both, essentially moving me around, sandwiching me between them.This is even better.A small pleased sound escaped my throat, and I curled into them.
“You are not too much for the maids, I promise. You are not having a raver. Our family is throwing the party of the summer tomorrow. Your dishes are nothing. In fact, they’re actually my dishes. I put them in the sink, not you. It’s okay.” Barrett leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “Who told you that you were too much? Everyone in your life or one specific person?”
Julian held me tighter. “Give us names and addresses.”
“No.” But I choked out a half laugh and felt better, calmer. “Thank you for this. I just don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage.”
The door to the house opened and closed, but I couldn’t see who came inside. “What is this? Why wasn’t I invited to the hug?”
Jeremy threw his arms around us so fast we all almost toppled over, which was funny enough, we all burst into laughter at the same time. My panic fully subsided, and maybe they all felt that, because they let go of me. I could breathe again.
“Where the fuck were you?” Julian punched him in the arm.
“For dinner? I ate in the kitchen. They made me a secret cheeseburger. Did you get stuck with whatever that thing was Chef made?”
Julian groaned. “A cheeseburger? Fuck.”
Our phones dinged at the same time, and we all looked at them, practically in unison. Phoenix texted us all an address and the wordcome.
“Is he already there?” I asked them.Weren’t we all supposed to go together?
“Looks that way.” Barrett shrugged. “Very Phoenix. He doesn’t always remember the plans we make, but at least he remembered to invite us this time.”
Julian nodded. “I hate the Madisons.” He met my gaze. “We actually go to school with them. Marco Madison plays goalie on our team. He’s … not a nice guy.”
I frowned, thinking it wasn’t shaping up to sound like a fun or exciting evening. “What should I wear?”
It seemed to be the constant question.Will I ever just know?
Dressedin pants that were too tight, my sandals, and a tank top that showed some of my belly, I followed the guys into a house that was equal to theirs in size. They said it was a five minute walk down the beach and it was. By the time we got to two houses away, I could spot it since every light in the house glowed brightly into the night. The air still felt thick, maybe even more so than before, and I could smell electricity in it. If anyone else noticed, they didn’t comment.
People jostled into us, the inside of the house packed tight. Jeremy turned to Julian. “He invites everyone, doesn’t he? Marco likes to make a scene.”
“Lents!” a voice called from upstairs. A tall, tan, brown haired guy about our age practically draped himself over the side of a balcony to wave at us. “You’re here. Phoenix said you were coming, but I started to think you were going to no-show.”
Barrett rolled his eyes. “Was there an rsvp I missed?”
