"Hey, guys," he greets happily. I've only met him a handful of times, but even from our limited interactions, I can tell he's not a cheerful man. Stoic or arrogant, yes, but not happy. So, I'm confused about why he looks that way now.
My question is answered when he turns toward my sister, his grin immediately growing. "Remy baby," he drawls.
If looks could kill, Tristan would be a pile of ash on the ground right now.
"Fuck off, Tristan," Remy says through clenched teeth. "I don't care if Jax invited you, you're not welcome here."
Ignoring her completely, Tristan takes the seat next to her. And despite a murderous glare being aimed at the side of his head, his expression softens when he looks at me.
"Happy birthday," he says to me with a smile, his affection genuine.
"Thanks," I respond with a blush.
"I hope you don't mind if I crash for a few minutes—" he starts.
"We mind," Remy snaps. Jax and I both smother our grins.
Once again ignoring her, Tristan continues, "I'm just picking up a takeout order. Jax mentioned you'd be here, so I thought I'd buy you a shot. Waiter hasn't brought your drinks yet?"
Said waiter appears at that exact moment. He slides our drinks to us before placing the three shots in the center of the table. His eyes widen as they jump from Jax to Tristan, who’s not quite as big as Jax but who is an equally intimidating athlete. His gaze never touches me, which means the increased testosterone has successfully scared him away from making any more advances.
"Uh, can I get you something to drink?" he asks Tristan.
"I'm good, thanks, I'm heading back to the gym in a minute anyway." He glares at the beer in front of Jax. "And you're teaching tonight," he adds pointedly.
Jax just rolls his eyes and throws his arm along the back of my chair. "It's Hailey's birthday, I'm sure I can handle a beer seven hours before I have to teach something I can do in my sleep."
I giggle at the visual, and before I can think better of the comment, I muse, "Can you imagine? Jiu-jitsu in your sleep? I pity the person in bed with you, Superman."
The boys grin at each other. I realize then that I've now made it a sexual innuendo, since jiu-jitsu is like wrestling. And wrestling would only be needed in your sleep if there was a partner involved—and very minimal wrestling attire.
Before I can wince and saynever mind, Remy jumps in for me. "Don't even grace us with an answer, assholes."
Tristan turns his smirk on her. "Why? Not getting a lot of jiu-jitsu in your sleep lately, Remy baby?"
"I swear to God, you're going to die because of that nickname one day," she growls.
The waiter coughs, and all four of our gazes snap to him in surprise. I guess I'm not the only one that completely forgot he was standing there.
"Are you ready to order food?" he asks, clearly uncomfortable. "Or should I give you a few minutes?"
"We need a few minutes," Jax tells him dismissively.
Once the waiter's gone, Jax slides one of the shots over to me before picking up his own. Remy grabs hers and Tristan just lifts her water, once again ignoring her glare.
I'm starting to think that’s his superpower.
"Happy 21st, baby girl," Jax says with a warm smile.
"Happy 21st," Remy and Tristan echo with raised glasses.
Contentment floods my chest. I look between Jax and my sister, taking a second to appreciate how much I love these people, and how much they love me. And even though there's no birthday candle in front of me to blow out, and even though the tradition is to make a wish, I do what I do every year: I put my gratitude into the world instead.
"Thank you," I say simply, expressing the full force of that sentiment with a big smile. Then I raise my glass in a cheers.
* * *
I hear the shower running when I walk into the apartment. I hang up my bag at the door, then make my way into the bathroom and strip off my clothes.