“Oh,come on,” I said, clasping the bra and pulling the tank top on. “Aren’t yousick of being in here all the time?”
Jamiethrust a hand toward the window.
“Iknow you go outside sometimes, but I’m saying to come downstairs today, to seeVinnie.”
Sheshot a resentful glance over her shoulder, with pouted lips and a furrowedbrow. I had wondered if she was jealous, knowing that she had never been givena chance to have a boyfriend, and this was all the proof I needed.
“I’msorry,” I said quietly. She waved a dismissive hand at my apology, and I added,“I just thought you might wanna see the guy I’m with now. Just think about it,okay?” Jamie shrugged, then nodded, and I smiled, trying not to get tooexcited. “Good.”
***
“Here yougo,” my father said, handing Vincent a cold beer, before sitting down on thebrass love seat beside him. “Vinnie, you sure I can’t get you one?”
Vinnieleaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows on his knees and clasping hishands, and then shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Don’tworry about impressing me by not drinking,” Dad went on. “Help yourself to abeer. Or, if you want, I have a cabinet full of liquor, if you’d rathersomething harder. I can make you a—”
“Really,I’m good,” Vinnie replied, and I couldn’t help but notice his gritted teeth.
Dadclapped a hand against Vincent’s shoulder. “Will you tell him he doesn’t needto worry—”
“Daddy,”I cut him off. “Vinnie doesn’t drink, okay?”
“Ah,come on,” he scoffed, then looked to Vinnie with a lighthearted grin. “Youcan’t haveonedrink with your girlfriend’s old man?”
Iglanced in the direction of my sisters, tending to their kids but watching withglares of scrutiny. I was beginning to think that inviting Vinnie and his dadhad been a horrible idea. My father, while well-intentioned, relied too much onalcohol to be social, and my sisters had snooped too much into Vinnie’s past.My only saving grace was my mother, and she was still inside, finishing dinnerand making iced tea.
“Hey,I’m gonna see if my mom needs help. You wanna come?” I asked, keeping my eyeson Vinnie and not on the older woman lingering behind his father.
Heturned to me, gratitude in his eyes, and nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Wewalked quietly through the French doors and the living room, and into thekitchen. My mother moved quickly, bustling around to the sound of Devin O’Leary& the Blue Existence, and Vinnie immediately snickered. I looked up to him,a flash of warning in my eyes, with the assumption that he was about to saysomething uncouth about my mom.
Whenhe noticed my glare, he shook his head, wide-eyed and apologetic. “No, no. It’sjust,” he waved a finger toward the ceiling, “this band, my brother-in-law’sdad is the drummer.”
Momwhirled around on her heel, a dumbstruck expression on her face and a spoon,dirty with the makings of macaroni salad, in her hand. “Uh, what did you justsay?”
Vinniesnorted. “Yeah, that guy, Sebastian Moore, is my brother’s father-in-law. It’sfreakin’ insane. He’s a pretty chill guy.”
Igawked unapologetically, momentarily forgetting why it was we had even comeinside. “So, you’ve met the whole band?”
Hischeeks flushed and his hand reached around to rub the back of his neck. “Nah,”he replied, shaking his head. “I’ve only met Devin and the, uh, the pianoplayer. Sebastian, though, I’ve hung out with a bunch of times. Greyson’sreally close with his old man, so he’s around a lot when I head up there.”
“Iam totally coming upstate with you the next time you go,” I blurted out on aburst of excitement. Then, immediately embarrassed and realizing howpresumptive that was, I quickly added, “I mean, if that’s okay. If it’s not,then—”
“Nah,it’s cool,” he interjected, his lips curling in an easy half-smile that I wasnow desperate to kiss.
Vinniethen asked where the bathroom was and excused himself, leaving my mom and me toshare a moment of quiet excitement over knowing someone with celebrity ties.She handed me the spoon with instructions to keep stirring the salad, while shecut tomatoes for the burgers.
“Heseems okay,” she commented quietly, lifting her gaze to watch for my reaction.
“Yeah,”I agreed. “He is.”
“Youlike him a lot.” I felt my cheeks burn as I nodded. Then, she added, “Heobviously likes you, too.”
“Iknow,” I said, pinching my lips between my teeth.
Momcame to stand closer beside me, bringing the knife and cutting board oftomatoes with her. “But?” she asked in a hushed voice.
