Page 91 of For The Weekend
Cash has a seat and gets to work on my loser tattoo as Griffin clears his throat. “As a reminder, Thanksgiving is at our house at five. Everyone needs to text me what they’re bringing.” He fixes his gaze on me. “I assume you’ll bring Eloise.”
I don’t answer, the sting of the needle in my arm and the overwhelming feeling of being part of this family fogging up my mind. It’s been years since I’ve seen them, and they so easily accepted me back into the fold. I’m not sure I deserve it, but there is nothing I appreciate more.
I think Griffin can see everything I’m not able to articulate because he nods once. “She’s part of the family, right?”
Ian agrees then says, “Sloane will probably come too. With everything going on…”
The trailed off thought sends all seven of us into a moment of silence.
And then we all talk at once.
“Fucking scumbag.”
“I always thought he was a fucking weasel.”
“If he didn’t have money and connections, I’d go fuck him up.”
“He’s got a punchable face.”
“Such a punchable face!”
“He’s not worth it, though. Karma will take care of him eventually.”
“And if it doesn’t? My right hand likes karma.”
“Sloane doesn’t deserve that shit.”
“I’m surprised Eloise hasn’t murdered that fuckwit yet.”
They all turn to me, and I shrug. My girl struggles with standing up to her own family, but I think if given the chance… “I’d imagine she’d go for his eyes first.”
They all agree and eventually move on to a different topic: food.
After another few minutes, Cash announces he’s all finished and wipes down my new ink. I turn, holding up my sleeve to view it in the mirror, and I can’t help the idiotic grin that crawls across my face at the tribute to Eloise.
“It’s perfect,” I say eventually and dap him up before clapping hands with the rest of the younger guys and hugging my brothers.
“Thought you’d like it,” Griffin says, and I nod.
Ian slings his arm around my shoulders, telling me seriously, “Don’t break her heart. She’s one of our favorites around here.”
“Mine too.”
Chapter 26
Roman
Between my schedule and everything going on with Sloane, Eloise and I haven’t been able to connect for time together until now. So when she texted, asking if I wanted to go out, I immediately asked Riley and June to babysit Mazie and made a reservation at Tabby Cat.
Eloise and I had seen each other over the last few days and exchanged plenty of text messages, but the thought of finally being alone with her makes my skin buzz with anticipation. I missed her.
I fucking missed her.
When she opens the door of her apartment, I’m not prepared. She’s wearing her hair piled on the top of her head with loose strands by her temples and the smile I’ve come to think of as my own. The one that crinkles her eyes but is a bit shyer, her teeth digging into her bottom lip like she’s afraid to unleash her full wattage. I love it.
I fucking love her.
Her chunky sweater with huge sleeves reminds me of a blanket, and there’s nothing I want more than to wrap myselfup in it with her. Instead, I use it to pull her to me. “Hey, sunshine.”
