Sebastian sent a splash ofwater in his son’s direction. “I saidmostof the time.”
“It’s true,” I corroborated,laughing. “He did say that.”
A wet hand clapped againstmy shoulder. “And I didn’t even have to bribe you to back me up.” Sebastianshook me gently as I continued to laugh. “IknewI liked you.”
“Stop encouraging him,”Greyson’s aunt and Sebastian’s wife, Tabitha, groaned, walking past the poolwith Greyson’s little sister, Izzy, on her heels. “You’ll be his best friendand he’ll harass you for the rest of your life.”
“Nah, Thumbelina,” Sebastiansaid, reaching out of the water to wrap a hand around her ankle. “That’s justyou.”
We all laughed together, thefive of us in Zach’s starlit backyard. The scent of the grill still lingered inthe air, reminding me of dinner, as it blended pleasantly with citronella fromthe candles bordering the fence. The humidity was minimal and for the firsttime in weeks, I could breathe, pulling in nothing but the lazy comfort ofsummer. But despite being surrounded by people I cared for and loved, my heartwas hollow, and I missed Andy. I stared across the pool at my brother and theman he’d committed his life to, watching with a jealous glint in my eye as theycuddled close and shared a sweet kiss when they thought nobody was looking. Iwondered if I could bring Andy up here soon. I wondered what her wet skin wouldfeel like, and if she’d be daring enough to do more than just kiss in the deepend. I bit the inside of my cheek and turned toward the house, trying to thinkabout anything but her wet, warm body against mine.
“So, Vinnie,” Tabitha said,sitting at the end of a lounge chair.
“Yeah,” I blurted, quicklylooking from the house to her.
“When are we going to meetyour girlfriend?”
I smiled. “I was justthinking about that.”
“Oh, I’m sure you were,”Zach chided, splashing me from across the pool.
I splashed him back. “Shutup, dick.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll soundproofthe guest room before you guys come up,” he jabbed playfully, winking.
“Good,” I fired back.“‘Cause the last thing I want is to listen to you guys goin’ at it all night.”
“Vin, if you’re jealous, allyou gotta do is say somethin’. I’m sure Greyson wouldn’t mind if you wanted tojoin—”
“Yo, man, knock it off.” Isqueezed my eyes shut, shaking my head.
“Too far?” Zach laughed.
“Way too far.” I opened myeyes and addressed Greyson, smiling apologetically. “I mean, I love you, man,but not enough to experiment like that.”
“It’s all good,” heanswered, chuckling.
“Anyway,” I said, lookingback to Tabitha, “I dunno. Her hours are kinda crazy at the hospital, but I’msure we can come up for a couple days soon.”
“Let us know,” she replied,pulling the sleepy Izzy into her lap. “Sebastian will make his ribs and I’llthrow together my macaroni salad.”
“Oh, man, you know Aunt Tabsmeans business when she starts throwing around Dad’s ribs,” Grey commented.Then, he groaned, laying a hand over his stomach. “You better bring Andy uphere soon, Vin. I wanna eat those damn things now.”
I promised I’d talk to herand set aside time to visit. Zach, Greyson, and I climbed out of the pool, blewout the candles, and said goodnight to Greyson’s family, before retiring insideto lay out on their plush living room furniture. The air conditioninggoose-pimpled my drying skin and I wrapped myself in one of their fluffy throwblankets, sighing at the comfortable warmth.
“Okay, I’m just gonna passout right here,” I said, closing my eyes and kicking my feet up on a leatherottoman.
“Nice, right?” Zach laughedfrom beside me on the couch.
“Hell yeah, man. I wish wehad the space in the apartment for furniture like this.” The large sectionalsofa was too big for Pops’s and my kitchen and living room combined. While Idid like our modest couch and recliner set, there was no denying it didn’t holda candle to this type of luxury.
“You guys gotta get outtathe city. You could buy such a bigger, nicer place if you did.”
I shook my head. “Pops wouldnever go for it, and you know that.”
“I don’t wanna say it, butPops isn’t gonna be in the picture much longer—”
“Stop, Z.”
