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Doug tips his head back and sighs. “Because I need to. Last night shouldn’t have happened and we all know it.”

I immediately look at Joy. I’m used to this from Doug, but I know his dismissive words will hurt her, and when her big dark eyes fill with sadness as she stares into her coffee, my hands tighten into fists. I turn my attention back to the door to find Doug looking at me, his eyes filled with apology.

“You were right,” he says. “On the beach. I keep throwing myself onto the fire.”

Lane places a hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention. “Hey. I shouldn’t be doing this either, but it’s worth it. Aldo and Joy are worth it. Besides, it’s only a few months until they graduate. We can keep things quiet until then.”

Doug shrugs off his hand and moves around him. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I mean, it’s part of it, but . . .”

“But what?” Joy asks. “Do you regret last night?”

His gray eyes soften as he looks at her and he pushes a hand through his hair. “No. How the hell could I regret that? It was the single hottest night of my life. But you don’t need to pretend that it’s anything more than that.”

“What are you talking about?” Lane asks.

“I’m talking about the fact that you three have something great, and you should never have let me near it. I’ll just taint it. It’s what I do, and you know it.”

“That’s bullshit,” I snap.

“Who’s to say we were even inviting you to join in again?” Lane says, folding his arms.

Doug just shakes his head and laughs softly, stepping around Lane and opening the door. “You kids have fun. See you at practice on Monday.”

Lane’s mouth thins as he watches him leave, but none of us say another word. There’s no point and we all know it. He’s already made up his mind.

I stay, watching the door, long after he’s gone. Even as Lane sits down on the couch and pulls Joy into an embrace. Even as they finish their coffee and head to the shower.

Slamming my hands down on the counter, I move to where Lane took off my jeans last night and pull my phone from the pocket. It’s still got a tiny bit of charge left, and I glance at the time before pulling up my sister’s number. She’s always up early, and if she’s not, she won’t have her ringer on.

She answers immediately. “Olly? You okay?”

I smile at the panic in her voice. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Why the hell are you calling me before eight a.m.? You trying to give me a heart attack before I’m even thirty?”

“Stop being so dramatic, Ana.” I sit down on the sofa, sighing as I notice one of Doug’s socks hiding underneath Joy’s dress. “I wanted to ask a favor.”

“A favor? Are you in jail right now? Do I need to bail you out?”

“Seriously?” I roll my eyes. “Why the hell would I be in jail?”

“I don’t know, Olly. You tell me.”

“Abriana, relax. I’m fine. Look, I have like two percent on my battery, so let me just ask my favor, okay?”

She huffs in annoyance. “Fine. What do you want?”

“You know how I asked you if I could bring a plus one to the wedding?”

“Yes . . .”

“Can I bring a plus three?” I grimace, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth as I wait for her answer.

“Plus three? You’re not turning my wedding into some sort of night out with your friends. I thought you were bringing your girlfriend?”

“I am.” I take a breath, wondering whether it’s best to come clean right off the bat. “You remember when we went to Cameron’s birthday party with Avena? Remember his brother?”

The silence is deafening as I wait for the penny to drop. So much so that I pull the phone away from my ear to check it didn’t die.

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