A younger waitress, who appears to be barely old enough to be working, delivers our drinks and silverware just as Alyssa is sliding back into the booth. “Thanks for this.” Alyssa works on opening her straw and sliding it into her glass of orange juice before taking a huge drink. “What did you get me?”
I rattle off her order, and she nods her approval. “Just hearing you say it has my belly growling.”
“How much do I have to beg for you to make your pasta salad sometime this weekend?”
“Which one?”
“The one with the tomatoes and cucumbers. The ranch one.” My mouth waters just thinking about it.
“That’s the one that Rushton likes too. I’ll make it. You don’t have to beg. Just remind me when we stop to get food so I can pick up everything we need.”
I want to tell her never mind. My earlier messages with my brothers are still in my head. I don’t want Rushton to get any ideas, thinking that Alyssa is making it just for him. I’ll be sure and announce that she’s making it for me. I sound like a jealous asshole, but as I said, I can’t stand to share her with my brothers. Not intimately, anyway. I know that none of them would ever pursue her for real, but just the thought has me twitchy.
When our food arrives a few minutes later, Alyssa wastes no time diving in. I do the same, and by the time our plates are cleared, we’re both complaining about eating too much.
“It was so good,” Alyssa says, climbing back into my truck.
“Definitely hit the spot.”
“Take me to the snacks,” she says, fastening her seat belt.
“How can you think about snacks after all the food we just consumed?”
“Road trip, Tank. Road. Trip. We’ve discussed this.”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm for said road trip and the need for snacks, and drive one block over to the gas station. “My lady,” I tease.
“Thank you, kind sir. Do you have any requests?”
“No. Just our usual is fine. I have drinks, but we need a bag of ice. I’ll just come in with you.” Pulling the keys from the ignition, I climb out of the truck and make my way inside. We take our time since we’ve still got plenty, and move up and down each aisle, filling our hands with snacks. By the time we make it to the counter, both of our arms are full.
“It’s just going to be four of us in our vehicle,” I remind her.
“Hey, you grabbed just as much as I did. Besides, Kennedy is eating for two, and she might have a special craving for sweet, salty, or sour. We’ve covered all of our bases here.”
“Good thinking.” I tell the guy behind the counter we need a bag of ice and give him my debit card before Alyssa has a chance to pay.
“Hey, snacks were my idea.”
“Yeah, but you’re going to make that pasta for me, so we’re even.” She just shakes her head but doesn’t argue with me. She learned a long time ago that there is no use. I always get my way. I like doing nice things for her, even if it means dropping a Benjamin on gas station snacks for our road trip.
As we drive to my brother’s place, where we’re all meeting, I feel the excitement start to build. There have been several new additions to our family, and I love that my brothers and my cousin, Ramsey, have all found someone to share their lives with who understands how close we are. I can only hope that one day it happens for the rest of us. I know for certain if the woman doesn’t love my family and my best friend, she’s not the one for me.
CHAPTERSIX
Alyssa
“Wow,” I say as we pull into the driveway of the rental house that will be home for the next few days. “This place is beautiful.”
“The pictures don’t do it justice,” Kennedy replies.
Declan stops the car behind Orrin’s truck, and the others pull up behind us. Everyone piles out of their vehicles and stretches as we take in our surroundings. The house sits right on Lake Oconee with a long, paved driveway. The eight-bedroom monstrosity looks like a house you would see on an episode ofMTV Cribs. It’s gorgeous and fancy, and with its inground pool, hot tub, and lake access, it’s the perfect weekend getaway.
“How are we picking rooms?” Rushton asks. He slings his arm over my shoulder. “I want to make sure me and my girl have some privacy.” He winks at me as Sterling growls.
“Fuck off, Rush.” Sterling slaps his arm away and pulls me to stand closer to his side.
“You couldn’t handle me,” I tease Rushton.