I laugh. “No. We are going to try a much tamer beach next time.”
It’s taken me three weeks to get Wes to stand on a board and do anything that resembles surfing. It has been much longer of an investment than I initially planned. I thought one week, maybe two, and then I’d not only have him surfing, but he would also have made me his best man. Apparently, I’m better at making friends with women than with men.
“I told you I would have you surfing,” I say to Wes as he trudges up to his car.
“Woohoo! That was awesome! I can’t wait to show Sloane on our honeymoon.”
I place my surfboard into the back of my truck. “Where are you going on your honeymoon?”
“Australia and then New Zealand. Sloane has always wanted to go. She’s the adventurous type. She wants to surf, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, hike in the forests. I, on the other hand, just want to avoid being eaten by anything and kick back and enjoy the food. She’ll be impressed though that I took surfing lessons and can sort of surf now.”
I smile every time Wes talks about Sloane. I can’t help it. I’ve learned a lot about her from my time with him. And everything that I have learned makes me want to claim her more. Makes me want her more. And this new fact is not any different.
“I think, with a little more practice, you are definitely going to impress her.”
Wes opens the door to his car. “Hey, you want to come out with us tonight?”
I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
Wes laughs. “I didn’t mean, me and Sloane. I meant, me and the guys. They are kind of throwing me an informal bachelor party tonight. You should come.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t leave me alone with my cousins. They are the absolute worst. I need at least one normal guy who is on my side tonight.”
“All right, fine. I’ll come hit the bars with you tonight. But you owe me for putting up with your cousins.”
“First round is on me.”
I nod. “Done.”
* * *
I get to the saddest-looking bar on the island, where Wes texted me to meet them. I frown as I stand outside the building that looks like it could collapse at any minute. I’m not one to judge a book by its cover. After all, I’m nothing like what I appear on the outside. But this is absolutely ridiculous. If they weren’t going to pick a strip club, they could have at least picked a clean bar that had average-looking waitresses who were scantily clad.
I shake my head. If I convince them to go to any other bar tonight, I’ll be considered a savior after Wes tries one drink in this place. Tonight, I need him to start thinking of me as one of his best friends. I need to start finding a way to connect with Sloane. I need to start sneaking into her life. And, if Wes isn’t that way, then I will need to find another.
I walk into the bar, still dressed in swim trunks, a T-shirt, and sandals. I don’t have to look long to find them. The three of them are sitting at the edge of the bar, all looking sad. They are the only ones in here besides an older gentleman who is behind the bar, fixing them drinks.
“Cheer up, guys. The party is here,” I say, heading over to them.
Wes smiles when he sees me, but Elijah and Cody both give me a glare that is a mix between anger and annoyance.
I don’t bother to pull up a chair because we definitely aren’t staying here.
“Close out your tabs, boys, and let me show you how a local parties in Hawaii.”
Wes immediately jumps up, but Cody and Elijah both continue to frown.
“We are in charge of the bachelor party, not you. We will decide when and if we want to go elsewhere,” Cody says.
I raise an eyebrow. “Well, you’ve chosen one of the worst dumps on the island. But, if you want to stay, be my guest. Or we could go to a bar that actually has decent drinks and chicks, most scantily clad and likely ready for a good time.”
“Aw, come on, guys. It’s my night. I appreciate you guys trying your best, but Asher knows the island better than any of us. Let’s give him a try.”
“Fine,” Cody says.
I pull out my wallet and throw some cash down so that they might like me a little better. Although I think it does the opposite of helping. I don’t really care if they like me though. I just need to convince Wes, which is easy since he’s comparing me to them.