CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
AUBREY
JAY WAS THREE BEERS IN, and I was sure Rome had just as many when we met up with them later that evening at a Korean Barbecue restaurant. With the atmosphere, I knew someone had moved something around to get us reservations. Not one person eyed Jay like he was a celebrity which meant most people who dined here were either always in the company of them or were themselves celebrities.
I normally would have felt uneasy and out of place but Vick and Katie started our celebrations back at the hotel.
While we’d gotten ready, I’d told them how I’d ironed out my finances well enough that I could make a sizable donation to Margie’s too. Although Jett had outright disagreed with the substantial figure in our earlier meeting, calling it a terrible investment that would never pay off, I wanted to celebrate. It wasn’t meant to be an investment, it was meant to take care of those kids.
Katie and Vick wanted to celebrate too. Or they were just happy to be in a big city, getting ready for a night out.
I let Vick blow out my hair, so it looked somewhat untamed and wavy as it fell down my back. She’d done my makeup while Katie worked on cutting the back of a shirt so her outfit looked ravaged.
Vick’s dress glittered and shined just like she wanted.
I opted for an all-black halter top that essentially only had two ties holding it together in the back. My front was covered but my back was bare. Paired with a tight skirt and heels, I could blend but still look a bit sexy.
When Jay saw us, he whistled and Katie plopped down by him to kiss him right on the lips. “I missed your obnoxious ass.”
Jay looked affronted. “Kiss me again and I’ll forgive you for calling me obnoxious.”
Rome rolled his eyes and sipped his beer like he couldn’t stand either of them.
I sat between Rome and Jay at the round table. Jay put his arm around me and I said, “We all missed you.”
Vick clapped her hands together as she looked around the table, “How does this work? Do we get to grill the food ourselves?”
Jay chuckled at her excitement. “Yes, but we have to order it first.”
The waitress beelined for our table, and Jay put in for a round of drinks and enough food for all of us.
When she left, Rome asked what I’d been wondering, “Your brothers meeting us out?”
Jay’s eyes snapped to mine like he had questions. “Neither are coming to dinner. Jax wanted to know where we would be later.” I must have tensed a little because he followed up with, “I don’t have to tell him where we’re going though.”
I shook my head as all my friends’ stares landed on me. “We’re fine! The more, the merrier.”
I took a huge gulp of the wine the waitress had brought over. No one said anything. They all just watched me.
“What?” I caved.
“You’re blushing,” Katie pointed out.
“Blushing like you do when someone would catch us—” Rome started.
I held up my finger. “Do not finish that sentence, Rome.”
“Or I’ll punch your dumb ass,” Jay finished, glaring at him.
I wanted to roll my eyes. Instead, I shrugged Jay’s arm off me and glanced around the table. I took a deep breath and gave them all the confession they were waiting for. “I might have … probably … slept with Jax again.”
Vick jumped up and screamed while she pointed at me, “I knew it! You love each other!”
Jay started coughing on whatever he was drinking and Katie shushed Vick for me.
“We don’t love each other, Vick.” I denied and meant it. The word was reserved only for what I’d felt for Jax a long time ago back in high school. Now, thinking I could ever love him again culminated a fear so stifling, I could barely take my next breath.
Jay massaged my neck like he knew I needed comfort. He leaned in. “We should talk someplace more private.”