An unknown band plays in the background, the music drowned out by the sound of chatter and the pinging of billiard balls. The smell of alcohol permeates the air or maybe just my nose.
I don’t usually drink, because it makes me act like a fool, but it’s not like I’m doing it with strangers.
After making sure I have enough shots to send me into a coma, I down the fifth. No, I think it’s the seventh.
“Easy on the alcohol, Glyn,” Cecily chastises from beside me. She’s been nursing one glass of tequila since we got here.
“Let her be.” Remi slides a shot glass in my direction. “I love drunk Glyndon.”
I smile with one eye open and hold the glass up, then drink it. “One in your honor, Remi.”
“Hell to the fucking yeah.” He pours another shot down his throat. “My lordship has decided to forgive you for choosing this boring pub.”
I roll my hand exaggeratingly and bow. “Much appreciated, Your Majesty.”
“It’s your lordship, peasant.”
“Her mum has a lady title.” Ava pokes him with a chip. “Ignorant much?”
“Wait, really? How come I’m only finding out about this now?” Remi looks up, placing anLon his chin in a comical thoughtful gesture. “Must be because you all act like peasants, except for you, Bran. You’re definitely aristocracy. Beautiful, suave, and with that untouchable charisma. You take that after me.”
Bran shakes his head. “I was born before you, Remi.”
“So? You can still take after me. Isn’t that right, Cray Cray?”
My cousin seems more preoccupied with his phone than anyone at the table.
Annika lounges opposite him, looking like a real-life Barbie. She stopped chattering on and on in Creigh’s company lately and even started to distance herself. Not sure if it’s because she gets absolutely no answer in return or she couldn’t be bothered anymore. Sometimes, I feel sorry for her. She had to be interested in someone who doesn’t feel the need to talk.
It’s why he gets along with Bran. They can sit around for hours on end and not say a word. No kidding. Ava and Remi tested it once.
Since Bran gets along with Mia, Creigh could, too, if he meets her. Though in the few times we’ve gotten together over the past couple of weeks, I gathered that she’s expressive, just doesn’t talk. Killian said it’s due to an incident that took place in her childhood. And he’s become her personal translator whenever Bran and I are around.
Sometimes, he’ll be a dick and refuse to, so she’s teaching us sign language now.
Despite his wanker behavior, I like Killian when Mia’s around. He treats her like his little sister, just like Nikolai does. Her twin, Maya, told me that he once broke a high school boy’s jaw because he kept bullying her for being ‘mute.’
Nikolai was offended that he was the last to hear, so when the boy healed, he sent him back to the ER for other injuries.
And while the recounting of events had me shocked for a while, I’m more touched about his involvement in Mia’s life.
It’s a side of him that shows he can care. That, under the right circumstances, he can consider something precious.
Or maybe I’m just deluding myself.
One more shot.
“Seriously, Glyn, aren’t you going too far?” Cecily and her doppelgänger frown.
“When did you get a twin?” I slur.
“When you’re drunk.”
“Pfft, I’m not drunk. Come on, guys. Let’s play a game.”
“How about an I’m ghosting my friends for dick game,” Ava grumbles, probably drunk herself. She can’t hold her alcohol to save her life.
“Didn’t need that image.” Bran grimaces and she winces, then hugs his shoulder.