Me: I will. I hope you’re not texting and driving, love youtoo
Josh: No, we had to pull over—your brother was drinking before we left and now he needs to take apiss!
Me: Ha ha nice!! We’re just leaving, have a good night, loveyou
Josh: Don’t forget to text melater
Me: YesDad!!
We’d reached the car so I slipped my phone in my purse, not waiting for a reply, and opened the doors. Lib and Aunt Emma climbed in the back and my mom sat next to me in the passengerseat.
“Was that Josh?” Libby asked from behind me, and I nodded as I started thecar.
“As much as I love him, I think he’s going to drive me insane tonight. He wants me to text him every hour so he knows I’m okay!” I saidexasperatedly.
“Well I think Mason and Josh must have come up with that bright idea together,” Libby said with a smile as I caught her reflection in the rear-view mirror. “Mason said the same thing tome.”
“That’s southern boys for you. You’d better get used to it girls—they just get worse as they get older,” my mom said as she laughed next tome.
“Great!” I exclaimed, although I secretly loved that he cared enough to want to check up onme.
Rose, Harper, and Ava were waiting for us at the restaurant, and after introducing Aunt Emma to everyone, we were seated at a table. The meal was delicious, and after I ate, I really wanted to crawl into bed and sleep, but I knew once I got to the Brass Hall, I would liven up and want to dance. After we paid the check and ordered a taxi back to the ranch for Mom and Aunt Emma, we said a quick goodbye and walked the short distance to the Brass Hall. People were lining up out the door, but earlier in the day, I’d called Sadie, my friend who worked the bar, and asked her to let the doorman know we were coming. Giving our name to the bouncer, we were ushered in and escorted to a table Sadie must have reserved for us. It was a good thing she had, because the place was packed asusual.
After getting a round of drinks, we hit the dance floor, dancing in a tight circle to keep away any unwanted attention. No one would be hitting on me that night, but guys were drawn to Libby knowing she was on her bachelorette. When Lib had first come to the ranch, she’d sworn off alcohol after what had happened to Mia, and while she didn’t drink a lot now, she did have a drink when we wentout.
Harper came over to me and shouted in my ear so I could hear her over the music. “Shots?” she asked, raising her eyebrows at me. I nodded and held four fingers up to her. She smiled and made her way to thebar.
“Let’s head back to the table for a drink,” I shouted across to Libby, Ava, and Rose. They nodded at me and we fought our way off the dance floor. My feet were killing me and I flopped down in the booth when we reached the table, glad to be able to sit down for a bit. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my phone, noticing that I had five messages and two missed calls. Sighing, I unlocked it and quickly read through my texts, all of which were from Josh asking if I was okay and why I hadn’t messaged him. Laughing, I held my phoneup.
“Have you checked your phone Lib? I have a bunch of messages from Josh because I haven’t textedhim!”
“Shit!” she shouted, digging around in her purse. “I forgot to text Mason too, I bet they’re going crazy! You know how protective they are.” I watched as she looked at her screen and nodded. “Yep! Seven texts and three missed calls!” sheexclaimed.
“God, that’s worse than Josh!” I said with a laugh. I sent Josh a quick message telling him I was fine and having a good time. Looking over to Lib, I saw she too was typing out a text. My phone chimed with a reply from Josh, and I smiled as I read hismessage.
Josh: Good baby, I was getting worried, loveyou
Me: I’m fine, love youtoo
“I’m not in trouble,” I joked as I put my phone down on thetable.
“I think it’s sweet,” Ava said with a sigh. “I wish someone cared enough to check up onme!”
“What about Cooper?” Libby asked, putting her phone back in herpurse.
“Urghhh!” Ava moaned. “I thought everything was going great until he just stopped calling and texting. I messaged him a few times but I’m not chasing him. If he’s not interested, that’s hisloss.”
“Good for you!” I told her. “Ava, you’re gorgeous! Any guy who’s not interested is anidiot.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Thanks Sav,” she said, blowing me a kiss. “When is that hot brother of yours coming over Lib?” she asked, wriggling hereyebrows.
Libby laughed. “Jack flew in yesterday and is heading home just after NewYear’s.”
“Is he single?” she asked with asmirk.
“As far as I know,” Lib replied with a roll of her eyes. “I’d better warn him that you’re on theprowl!”
“Well you know what they say—the bridesmaid has to sleep with the bride’s brother!” Avagiggled.