I bump her shoulder. “Hey. I haven’t complained that much.”
She bats her lashes at me. “Do you know you?”
I laugh, slurping my cocktail through a straw. “That’s been the hardest adjustment. I guess I’m a Cali girl through and through.”
“I still can’t believe you dated he who shan’t be named,” Cat says, staring off into space with a slightly dreamy look on her face that irritates me.
After Sunday, I decided to bring Cat, Jamie, and Conor into my confidence. They’re the main crowd we hang around with, and it didn’t seem right anymore not to tell them. The guys couldn’t have cared less, especially Conor who pretty much keeps to himself. Cat was shocked, only because she seems to share Ash’s Rydeville Elite obsession. She’s been a little off with me since, but I’m hoping it’s only temporary.
I didn’t give her a blow-by-blow account of the shit Reeve put me through, but she knows enough to wipe that swoony expression off her face.
“He’s been keeping his nose clean,” Audrey says. “Reeveron speculation is still rampant, but he’s keeping his distance from her. I saw this post he put up the other day. It was clearly about you. He—”
“I don’t want to know, Rey,” I semi-lie. “I’m finally starting to feel less heartsore, and I’d rather not be reminded of all that crap. Ireland’s been good to me in that way.”
Sympathy skates across her face. “I’m sorry. I won’t say another word.”
“Did Viv tell you she kissed my brother last Sunday?” Ash just drops it into the conversation with a faux innocent expression on her face. I was a little worried she might have an issue with this thing—whatever it is—between me and Dillon, but she seems to be cool with it.
“You did?” Audrey squeezes my shoulders. “Good for you, babe.”
“I was planning on telling you,” I admit, giving Ash the stink eye, “but it wasn’t really a kiss.”
“Their lips were pressed together, and he had his hands all over her,” Ash confides, and I glare at her disloyal ass. “I’d call that a kiss.”
“Same,” Cat agrees, chiming in.
“I was stoned!” I blurt.
“Excuses, excuses.” Audrey fails to disguise her grin.
“He irritates the fuck out of me most of the time!” I protest.
“Passionate.” Audrey waggles her brows. “Tell me more.”
“You’ll get to meet both my brothers tomorrow,” Ash says. “They’re playing a set in Whelans. There’ll be music all day and night, and the drink will be flowing.”
“You’ll be off your tits by six o’clock,” Cat supplies.
“I’ve always wanted to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland,” Audrey says. “This is going to be so much fun!”
“So, what’s going on with you and the sexy Irish rocker?” Audrey asks the following morning as we lie side by side in my bed.
“Nothing much.” I scrunch the comforter between my fingers. “The kiss really was a non-kiss. He’d only just placed his lips against mine when Ash interrupted.”
“And that was a good thing…or not?” she inquires, sliding her hand under her long red hair.
I eyeball my bestie. “I don’t know.” I worry my lower lip between my teeth. “It scares me.”
“Dillon does or the thought of what he represents?” she quietly asks.
I contemplate her question for a few seconds. “Both, I think. He makes me feel things, Rey. Things I can’t handle yet. The chemistry between us intimidates me, and I’m terrified that if I let him in, he’ll destroy whatever is left of my heart.” Tucking my hands under my head, I share my truths with my bestie. “I didn’t come here to find another man. I came here to find myself.”
“Can’t it be both?”
“I don’t want to complicate an already complicated situation, and I can’t risk my heart again. It’s still in desperate need of repair.”
“I’m going to be honest, because that’s how we always roll.” She leans over and hugs me. “I love you like a sister. You know that, right?”
“Yes, and you know that’s how I feel too.”
“I just want you to be happy, whether that’s single, reunited with Reeve, with Dillon, or some other guy.”
“Why would you say that about Reeve? You know I—”