I frown at his words.
“I thought you at least had the sense to stay over on the way back. I mean, it isn’t often you get Mara alone for that length of time.”
“What—”
“You have it bad for her.” He gives me a shit-eating grin. “I don’t think Reece realizes just how badly you want her.”
Joining him with his feet on the table, I take a drink from the longneck I’ve opened, wondering what the heck I’m supposed to say to him. We’re not a couple of girls ready to gossip, but I guess I need to say something. “Look. She’s eighteen and Reece’s sister, which makes her totally out of bounds.”
Placing my feet back on the floor, I rest my elbows on my knees while watching the lake at the back of the house. “Sarah keeps texting me. Thought I might ask her out. She turns twenty-one soon so she won’t be underage if I take her over to the bar for beer and fries.”
Phoenix chokes on his beer. “Are you fuckin’ with me? Because I’m telling you if you go anywhere near Sarah, you’ll break Mara’s heart.”
My eyes snap back to him.
“I might only have eyes for Thalia, but it doesn’t make me blind and that young babe has you on her mind. Don’t screw with her feelings by asking Sarah out when you’re not really interested in her. Reece really will be pissed if you do that.”
Sighing, I say, “Reece will be pissed regardless of which sister I have my eyes on.” I sit back and close my eyes with my head resting against the chair. “Mara would be more than a one night stand. I can’t explain it, but she’s under me.”
He spits his beer out. “You wish,” he says in choked laughter.
“What’s up with him,” Reece nods in Phoenix’s direction while taking a beer. I jump and hope that Reece hadn’t heard any of our conversation as he came around the house.
“Went down the wrong way.” I’m sure as hell not telling him we were discussing his sisters—not ready for that conversation yet…or ever!
“Thought you were taking your girl out,” I comment, knocking more beer back.
“She’s doing some girly shit with Thalia.”
“Yeah, Thalia said something about going and getting waxed.” Phoenix wiggles his eyebrows. “Love my girl naked, if you know what I mean.” He grins. “I think Mara’s tagged along as well.”
I try not to react to Phoenix’s comment, but I catch the glare Reece throws in my direction before looking back to Phoenix. “Can we leave my sister and waxing outta this conversation?” He shudders.
Mara hair free isn’t something I want to think about while sitting out here with my two best friends. In the past, getting aroused in front of them would never bother me, but letting them see me hard while talking about Mara wouldn’t go down too well with Reece—forever, the protective brother.
Changing the subject, I ask, “So, you ready to have a wife?”
“Wife,” Phoenix moans resting his head back against the chair. “I’ve been ready from the day I met her.” He looks me in the eyes. “When you meet the girl you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with, you just want that wedding ring on her finger so every other fucker knows she’s spoken for. Won’t stop some, but the majority will take a step back. So yes, I’m ready to have a wife. To love, honor and cherish her till death do us part.”
Listening to Phoenix speak from the heart has left me speechless. Phoenix is never vocal about his feelings for Thalia. Then again she’s usually with him and no words are usually needed to describe how he feels about her because they’re usually written all over his face.
“I think I’m gonna get Callie to marry me as well.”
“Didn’t you already ask her to marry you?”
“Donovan, don’t be a dick. I meant I’m going to get her to marry me on the weekend when Phoenix and Thalia tie the knot,” he grins.
I glance at Phoenix and see the same shock on his face that I’m sure is on mine. “You serious?”
“The more I think about it, the more I’m liking the idea that Phoenix put into my head. But you don’t think Thalia would mind sharing her day with Callie and me.”
“Are you friggin’ kidding. They’re best friends, plus Thalia may have mentioned it once or twice.” He grins.
Both my friends getting married. Wow. I’m not too sure how this makes me feel. I’m obviously happy for them, but both married while I don’t even have anyone special in my life. I have someone special in my life though—Mara.
Shaking myself out of the gloom I feel myself sinking into again, I grab another beer and find myself agreeing to be best man for Reece. Something I’m not sure they’ve thought about, and I can’t believe I am, is a dress for Callie.
“I hate to burst your bubble, but what is Callie going to wear. She hasn’t exactly had much time to get a dress and all the under-things they wear.”