“Brandon’s gonna stop by. That okay?” Lennon asks with googly eyes.
“Yep, the guys coming too?” I ask, curious if Mason will be joining us.
Lennon types away. “Just Mason and Hunter.”
Maddie looks back and forth between us. “They’re the hot ones, right?”
“They’re all hot.” I snort, hoping neither of them sees through my lies.
Shaking her head, Lennon goes back to her phone. “You are off-limits to them. Especially Hunter.”
Maddie rolls her eyes, and Lennon instantly becomes frustrated. “I’m serious, Maddie. He’s a manwhore and will screw anything that has legs. I’ll be damned if—”
“Okay, okay,” I interrupt. “I think she’s got the point.”
Maddie shrugs. “Maybe if one of you gets me a drink, I’ll understand better?”
“Don’t piss her off,” I say with a half-grin, and Lennon playfully flips her off, but she’s not kidding about Hunter. She’s ready to murder him.
I pull my phone from my purse and decide to text Liam because he likes the Coliseum. Over the last year, we’ve become really great friends, and I enjoy his company so much. He’s like the big brother I never had, and he’s fun as hell. He gets me without wanting to get into my pants.
Sophie: Why aren’t you coming to have drinks with us?
The text bubble immediately pops up.
Liam: Tied up on a job. You know how it goes.
Sophie: Like a real job? Or some chick?
I totally laugh at my own joke.
Liam: A real job. Unfortunately. Out of town again. I should be back in a few days, though. We should get together.
Sophie: We should. You still need to meet my little sis.
Liam: If she’s anything like you…hard pass. ;)
Sophie: Don’t worry. She’s worse than me. Wayyyyy worse.
Maddie leans over and looks at my phone, and I try to hide it from her. “Ooh. Who’s Liam?”
Lennon glances at me with an eyebrow popped. “Just one of the guys. Seeing where he’s at.”
“And that’s it?” Lennon asks, almost suspicious of our friendship.
“Yes, we’re just friends. And I’m not just saying that. What we have is strictly platonic.” I make eye contact with Lennon, and she backs off.
“Is he hot?” Maddie asks.
“Oh my God, Mads. You act like you’re in heat.” I let out a chuckle, but it trails off when Mason, Brandon, and Hunter walk through the door. The three of them look like superheroes coming to save the day in their tight T-shirts that leave no room for imagination. Lennon notices me staring and turns and waves when she makes eye contact with Brandon. He seems to glide across the room toward her and doesn’t stop until their lips smack together. Brandon slides into the booth next to her, and Mason and Hunter go to the bar. Neither says hello.
“What crawled up their asses and died?” Maddie asks.
I shrug with a snort. “Maybe it’s you, Mads?”
She groans and rolls her eyes.
“So this is my little sister, Maddie,” Lennon interrupts, introducing her to Brandon.
“Nice to finally meet you in person.” He looks at me and Maddie, then back at Lennon. “They were right, babe. You really might be adopted.”
Lennon slaps him on the arm, and I snort.
“You told him about that?” I ask.
We used to tease her when we were kids because she was the only blond in a family of brunettes. One time, she even cried about it, and Mom took me to the side and told me to stop saying it. Our grandma had blond hair, and Lennon looks just like her, so there’s zero doubt about her being my sister, but she always felt left out.
“He knows everything about me,” she says, leaning into him for a kiss.
“You two are gross,” I tease just as Mason and Hunter walk up with their drinks.
Hunter eyes Maddie, and she gives him a smoldering grin. Lennon looks like she’s about to combust as she narrows her eyes at him.
“And who is this?” Hunter asks, and I snicker, knowing how he loves to get under Lennon’s skin.
“My little sister, Maddie. She’s off-limits, so don’t even think about it.” She stresses every word. “This is Hunter and Mason,” she continues, waving her hand out toward them.
“Hi, boys,” Maddie says, and Lennon gives her the look.
Mason glances at me, and for a split second, it feels like time freezes. His eyes meet mine, and I open my mouth to say something, but he turns his head and looks away before I can speak. Awkwardness streams between us, and I’m happy when Brandon changes the subject, pulling the attention away before anyone notices the tension.
“Hey, Sophie. What’s up?” Hunter nearly finishes his beer in one pull.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask, being polite.
He shrugs and gives me a smirk. “Just dealing with your sister who’s a pain in my ass.”
Lennon scoffs. “Excuse you? You’re a pain in my ass.” Brandon chuckles and wraps his arm around Lennon, and I watch her relax.