“I’ll call Don and tell him I quit. I swear.” She kisses me again, her soft, sweet lips lingering. “Thank you for listening to me.”
“Thank you for telling me.” I lean away and tilt her head up so our gazes lock. “You can tell me anything, you know. You can trust me.”
She stares up at me, her lips parting, like she wants to say something else.
But she kisses me instead.
Addie’s party is in full swing by the time we arrive on Saturday night. I wanted to get there sooner, but Jensen took forever getting ready. Her hair had to look a certain way, and so did her makeup. She bought three dresses and borrowed a bunch more from Savannah, giving her endless options to choose from. She pretty much changed into every single one of those dresses too, sometimes twice, until she finally made her decision.
And what a decision she made. She’s wearing one of the three dresses she bought. It’s black and the material is thin, with a deep V-neck in the front and back, showing off plenty of cleavage. She looks so fucking sexy, I want to tear the tiny dress off of her. I tried, in fact, right before we left my house to come over here, but she slapped my hands away and told me, and I quote, “Keep it in your pants.”
I laughed. Then I tried to take it off of her again, making her laugh. Making her kiss me. Making her shove me away when I got too handsy.
I tried my best, but she wasn’t having it.
Now she’s a chattering, nervous mess by the time we walk into the backyard of Dad and Diane’s house. There are teenagers everywhere, the music is loud, and I see Addie dancing on a makeshift stage close to the DJ’s setup. She’s got her arms raised above her head, surrounded by a group of friends, including Trent.
She looks like she’s having the best time ever, and I’m happy. My baby sister means the world to me.
We wander back into the house hand in hand, Jensen holding the gift bag for Addie in her other hand. “I see a gift table,” Jensen tells me. “I’ll be right back.”
Before I can say a word she slips away, and I watch her go, my gaze glued to her swaying hips, those long, bare legs. The dress is short and has a huge cutout in the back, making it impossible for her to wear a bra. I’m not even sure if she’s wearing panties. She wouldn’t let me look either.
Jensen also insisted on buying a present for Addie, even though I told her it wasn’t necessary. I had already purchased my sister a gift card to one of her favorite stores, but Jens told me that was a thoughtless present. Then she went to Target, bought a gift bag and filled it with all sorts of girly things. Nail polish, hair ties, makeup, candy. She had so much fun putting it together that I figured Addie would love it just as much.
“You came alone?”
I turn to find Park standing before me, a glass of amber liquid clutched in one hand, his expression one of pure boredom. “Did you come alone?”
Park smiles, flashing straight, white teeth. “Hell no. I brought a date just to aggravate you-know-who.” He leans in closer, as if we’re sharing a secret, which I suppose we are. “And it’s working.”
“Where’s your date? And who is she?”
“She went to the bathroom.” He takes a sip from his drink. “Her name is Veronica. I met her on Tinder.”
“Nice.” I start to laugh, and so does he. “Are you two serious?”
“We’ve gone on a couple of dates. Messed around a few times.” Park shrugs.
“What about…” I let my voice drift. He knows exactly who I’m referring to.
“What about her? She’s got someone else, and so do I.” Another smile from Park before he drains his glass.
I decide not to mention that the someone else he’s referring to is our father.
God, I really don’t want to deal with that bullshit tonight. In fact, as soon as we make our appearance, talk with Addie and wish her a happy birthday, I want to get the hell out of here. I know Addie wants us at her party, but does she really care that much? She’s got all her friends with her. She doesn’t need us tonight.
“I didn’t come alone either,” I tell him when I catch a glimpse of Jensen headed our way. “Jensen’s here with me.”
“Really?” Park spots her and whistles low, his eyebrows shooting straight up. “Damn, that girl of yours is sexy as fuck.”
I like Park calling Jensen my girl, but I don’t appreciate his rude comment. “Watch your mouth,” I mutter.
His eyebrows lift even higher, if that’s possible. “What, you don’t like me making comments about your new piece?”
Irritation fills me. “Don’t call her that either.”
He chuckles and sets his empty glass on a nearby table. “So sensitive. You must really like her.”