Jack pulls into a gas station and parks in front of the storefront. “Be right back.”
“I’m sorry your night got ruined, Ev,” Tyler says. “That majorly sucks. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Her shoulders relax. “Thanks for coming to get us. Were you really asleep?”
“Yeah, I passed out early.”
“You’re the oldest twenty-five-year-old I know,” Ev teases him. “I should have invited Piper to come out with us.”
“Yeah, about that.”
Jack returns with a tray of to-go coffees in one hand and a brown paper bag tucked under the other. He opens the back and sets it all inside, except the coffees, which he passes up to us.
“What’s this for?” Ev asks him.
“It’ll help you sober up. Try not to spill it all over my back seat.”
“God. Just when I think you’re being nice, you ruin it by opening your mouth.” Ev takes the coffee with a huff.
He shuts the back without another word, but then two seconds later, he opens Everly’s door and tosses a sweatshirt at her. “And put that on. I can’t focus with your teeth chattering in my ear.”
She opens her mouth to talk back, but the door closes again.
Tyler clears his throat and hides a laugh. “Like I was saying, I feel bad your night out got ruined and I know it isn’t what you wanted, but as soon as Piper heard, she called everyone and they’re waiting back at our house to help make it up to you.”
“At your place?”
He nods.
“Define everyone,” Grace says.
“The team and anyone else in her contacts she could get a hold of for a last-minute party.”
No one says anything else. Everly looks at me and I shrug. Grace does the same.
Ty sounds sincere when he says, “If you’re not up for it, then we’ll take you home. Your call. I just want to make sure you have the best birthday possible.”
I think it’s sweet, but keep that to myself. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to have a famous brother that you feel overshadowed by.
“Yeah, fine, let’s do it.” Everly sets the coffee between her legs and pulls on Jack’s sweatshirt. “But no hovering around me and acting all protective. I’m twenty now. I can take care of myself.”
Jack snorts from the driver’s seat and Tyler shoots him a glare before saying, “Deal.”
Tyler and Piper’s house is filled with people when we get there. There are even balloons and streamers hung up. Piper comes running forward to greet us at the door. She pulls Everly into a hug and then steps back to look the three of us over. “I’m so glad no one was hurt.”
“How did you get so many people here this fast?” Everly asks, cocking her head to the side and giving her sister-in-law an endearing smile.
“All I had to do was ask. Everyone adores you and were more than happy to come help you celebrate.”
“You threatened them, didn’t you?” Everly smirks and raises one brow.
“Little bit.” She grins. “Come on. There’s cake.”
Everly and Grace know everyone already, so I feel a little like the odd man out as we walk around the party. They introduce me and everyone is nice, but it isn’t until I spot Ash in the kitchen that I feel my lips pull into a real smile.
He walks over, two beers stacked in one hand—one on top of the other. He’s changed into jeans and a white sweater since I saw him earlier. His hair is down and tucked behind one ear.
“You’re alive.” His gaze travels down the length of me, holding on my legs for a fraction longer than necessary before slowly dragging up. “And I’m dead. I suddenly understand why there was a brawl at the club.”
My insides light up even if I want to roll my eyes at him a little. “Wow. That was bad even for you.”
“I thought it was clever. Maybe you just didn’t get it the first time. You’re so hot, you caused a bar fight.” He grins proudly. God, he’s too much.
“It was a club.”
“Same difference.” He holds up the beer in his hand. “Want something to drink?”
“Uhhh. Yeah.”
He tips his head and motions for me to follow him farther into the kitchen. Soda and liquor bottles line the counter, along with snacks and a cake.
Ash grabs a cup, flips it into the air with a wink, and then pours several different types of alcohol and mixers into it before handing it over.
“What is it?”
“A little of this and a little of that. It’s good. Trust me. I’m great at mixing drinks.”