On the Shore (Cottonwood Cove, #3)(90)

We all hugged, and I made introductions as I took Tia and Romeo around to meet everyone.

“I can’t believe I’m going to my first premiere ever,” Tia said as she gushed to my superstar brother.

“Well, I’m honored that you came,” Finn said to her before wrapping an arm around me and hugging me tight before doing the same to Lincoln. He then pulled out some kind of bracelet and tied it around Lincoln’s wrist. I glanced around to see Cage, Hugh, Maddox, and Wyle wearing them, as well, which made me laugh.

“Is that Finnegan Charles Reynolds, a.k.a. the movie star?” a voice called out, and we all gasped to see Reese standing there.

“Holy shit. I can’t believe you’re here!” Finn yelled before scooping her up and spinning her around, her feet leaving the floor.

They had always just been Finn and Reese. They were Cottonwood Cove’s favorite besties because they got into endless antics together and were always laughing and having a good time. I knew there had been tension with Reese’s ex-fiancé because he and Finn had never really gotten along, and it had been a bone of contention for years.

“Who’s that?” Tia asked, her eyes wide as she watched them gushing over one another.

“Damn, Tia, it’s none of your business.” Romeo shook his head and shot a look at Lincoln that basically said, welcome to my life.

“It’s okay to be curious about people. Is that his girlfriend? She’s gorgeous.” She glared at her brother.

“Well, thank you. That beautiful girl is my daughter,” Jenny said, as she and my mom walked up behind us. They both pulled out their phones and stood there, taking photos of them hugging. “And boy, do we wish they were dating.”

My mom chuckled. “We always thought it would happen, but they never crossed the line. But they sure are cute together. They’ve always been one another’s biggest cheerleaders.”

“It’s stupid. They should get a room and do the deed.” Cage raised a brow and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Grant said as he and Dad snuck up on us, and we all laughed at the warning look that he shot Cage.

“You all knew she was coming, didn’t you?” I asked.

My mom and Jenny nodded and spoke at the same time. “We did.”

“Are you kidding? These two always know what’s going on. I wasn’t told until ten minutes ago,” my father said. “Apparently, they thought I would slip and tell everyone.”

“You’re a little loose-lipped.” Hugh chuckled. “If I want to know anything, you’re the one I go to.”

“What? I’m a vault.” My father held his hands up in defense.

“Dad, you’re a vault with a broken lock. But I’m grateful. I never know who the fuck is pissed at me and what I did. I can always get you to tell me.”

“Well, there’s a strategy there. I’m a peacekeeper.” My father winked at my mother.

“A very handsome peacekeeper.” Mom waggled her brows, and Cage rolled his eyes.

We were all chuckling and having a good time.

“Who the fuck is this?” someone hissed, and I whipped around to see Jessica Carson in a black-sequined gown that hugged her curves all the way down to the ground. I imagined the woman couldn’t eat so much as a single pistachio wearing that dress. Her breasts looked painfully lifted, and her strides were short due to the mermaid-style fitted gown, but it was clear she was on a mission. Her makeup gave her an airbrushed look, and even though she had the features of a gorgeous woman, she looked a bit scary at the moment.

Angry.

Enraged.

A little off-kilter.

“Oh my God. It’s Jessica Carson,” Tia whispered with her eyes wide as saucers. “She was the lead in my favorite Disney show a few years ago.”

“She doesn’t look like a Disney character right now. She looks kind of terrifying.” Lincoln leaned in and kept his voice low.

“Like boil-a-bunny-in-the-pot type of unhinged, right?” Cage said. “This is why you don’t dunk your pen in the company ink.”

My parents and the Murphys weren’t listening to us; they were too busy watching the scene unfold in front of us.

In the middle of the lobby of the most popular theatre in Los Angeles.

We were early, and Finn would have to step back outside and walk the red carpet soon. He’d just met us here before everything got started.

“He slept with her?” Lincoln asked, keeping his voice low.

Hugh leaned in. “He technically didn’t sleep with her. They hooked up one time. He got some red flags and backed way off.”

“Well, there’s a little bit of a gray area there,” Cage reminded him, and we all grew quiet when she stopped in front of them, and Finn set Reese’s feet on the ground.

“This is my best friend, Reese Murphy. And you need to pull yourself together. This is a big day for both of us. Let’s tone down the outbursts, yeah?” Finn said, which, for my brother, was about as harsh as he got.

He usually let things roll off his shoulders. But he’d always been different when it came to Reese.

“Hey, Jessica. Congrats on the show. I know it’s going to be a huge hit. I can’t wait to see it.” Reese extended her arm.