Page 75 of Wright Together

“Big city,” I said under my breath.

She laughed. “Anywhere outside of Midland is the city.”

Ellen stopped before an open booth, setting down the menus and silverware. “You tell your gram I said hi. I haven’t seen her around for backgammon in a while.”

Eve looked like she’d been punched in the stomach. All the air rushed out of her lungs at once. She swallowed hard. That beautiful, playful smile gone from her face.

“Uh, Gram passed, Ellen,” Eve whispered, her words thick with emotion. “Last year.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Ellen frowned and touched Eve’s arm. “I’m so sorry. My mind is a steel trap most of the time, but it likes to forget the things I hate to remember. She was a special woman.”

“She was,” Eve agreed.

Ellen gave me a warm smile, patted Eve’s arm, and then headed back to her booth. That couldn’t have been easy to hear. Not with the way she’d mentioned her grandma to me. But Eve was already sliding into the booth, and it looked like the last thing she wanted was any sympathy.

I took the seat opposite her. “Eve.”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, holding her menu up between us, like a physical barrier to her pain.

“You sure?”

“I don’t blame Ellen.” She tugged the menu down and met my gaze. “I don’t want to remember that she’s gone either.” She reached across the table, placing her hand on top of mine. “Just don’t bring it up to Bailey. She’s more fragile than I am.”

I saw all the makings of an oldest sibling in that moment. Saw myself reflected in her gaze. How much I protected West and Harley from our dad and always put on a brave face about it. I was the mediator. I was the one who kept the ship running. As far as I knew, I was the only one who still had contact with him. Even if I hadn’t heard from him all summer. It had been a blissful break. One that I hoped continued.

We ordered waters and a mozzarella stick appetizer while we waited for her sister to show up. It was about twenty minutes later when Eve perked up. I turned in my seat and found a tall platinum blonde bouncing into the room in short shorts and cowboy boots. Eve waved her hand, and Bailey saw it and waved back. She tapped Ellen’s stand twice and spoke to her briefly before dashing across the room.

Eve came to her feet, and Bailey fell into her embrace.

“Evie!”

“Bails!”

The girls held tight and turned in a quick circle. From this angle, it was clear that Bailey was a few inches taller than Eve, who was already taller than average. She was solidly built with sunbaked skin and heavily lined eyes.

Bailey pulled free and turned to face me. “Oh my God, you must be the boyfriend.”

“Bails,” Eve said again, this time with indignation.

“What? I’m meeting him. He must be important.”

“Nice to meet you, Bailey.”

I came to my feet and held my hand out. She took it in hers and shook, shooting a look at Eve with waggled eyebrows.

“Strong grip.”

Eve’s eyes went to the ceiling. “Lord. Sit your ass down.”

Bailey laughed and then slid into the seat next to Eve, across from me. “So, tell meeverything. Eve has never brought a guy home. Are y’all, like, getting married?”

Eve’s forehead hit the table.

I just laughed. “We’re dating.”

“Ohhh, so it’s like that,” Bailey said. “I’vedateda few guys, too.”

“You’re seventeen,” Eve grumbled. “Please stop usingdatedas a euphemism.”

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