“Yeah, sure, of course.”
“You all right?”
“Just tired. Long drive.”
“You look tired.”
I laugh. “Thanks a lot. Let me go visit the little girl’s room and I will be right back.”
I walk past the masses, patting shoulders, saying hello, smiling, and into the house. I walk to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. Do I have to piss? Fuck no. I want to see what the hell I look like. Yeah, vanity issues. So what?
I do look a bit pale, but these next couple days will fix that—I tan fast. My eyes aren’t as white, but I’m tired. I lean in to take a closer look as Tessa walks in the bathroom.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m all set here.” I glance at myself quickly again, and she giggles. “What?”
“You.”
“Your brother told me I looked like shit. I was just checking.”
“You don’t look like shit.”
“No, I kind of do. I’m pale. The whites of my eyes aren’t that bright. He’s right.” I laugh.
“Are you feeling all right?” She feels my head.
“Yeah, I feel great.” I smile and walk around her. “See ya out there.”
I walk outside and pull my sunglasses out of my pocket, hoping to hide my eyes, glad the setting sun is in front of us so I don’t look like a seventeen-year-old kid trying to hide the fact that he’s fucked up.
?
Alex and I steam clams and crab legs and grill chicken and steak. My kids are hanging with Tessa’s, Jade’s, and Alex’s kids and smiling. That ocean is awe-inspiring but nothing beats their smiles … well, Tessa is right up there, too.
“You made it!” Tessa laughs, and I look up to see her sister, Kendall, and her family.
Ben.Fucking Ben. He married Kendall but was really into Tessa when we were kids. He’s annoying as fuck, and I still want to slap the shit out of him every time I see him.
He picks Tessa up and spins her in a circle, and let me tell you, I want to floor him. I look at Alex, who smirks.
“Ben’s here.”
“Yeah. Kendall looks great.”
Alex laughs as he walks up to his younger sister and hugs her.
So, what do I do? I follow him.
“Hey Kendall, you look amazing.”
“Lucas!” She hugs me, and yeah, I pick her up. And yes, I swing her in a circle.
Ben stretches his hand out and shakes mine pretty firmly. “Hey there, Lucas. I see the kids. Where’s Ash? She finally smarten up and leave your ass?”
The whole group goes silent, and I’m a little embarrassed, but I keep it together.
“Actually, she did.” I chuckle.