“Considering what?”
“She hasn’t been away from him this long since they started dating, right?” He moved his chair closer to her. “I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go more than a day without seeing you.”
“How the hell can you call that dating?” she groaned. “He barely even knows anything about her.”
“Maybe he knows more than you think,” Vince suggested, chugging his beer.
“He doesn’t know my sister,” Lex snapped. “Not nearly as well as he should, and definitely not as well as she deserves.”
“What are you basing that on? The shit Brie does or doesn’t tell you? He may be treating her really well. You don’t know what goes on between them.”
“Oh, I know!” Lex’s eyebrows rose.
Vince shook his head, then placed a small kiss on her cheek. “I don’t want to fight with you, sweetheart. All I’m saying is not only is she still with him, but she invited him to come down. That has to count for something.”
He had a point and I hated him for it.
“Sully, tell him.” She gestured angrily with her hands. “Tell him this shell of a human being is not my sister.”
“Lex, he’s probably not the best one to lean on about this,” Vince advised.
“Why not?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact you’re badgering the poor guy about his ex-girlfriend who left him hurting without reason or explanation.” The conversation was rapidly heating up and needed to be doused before BC returned to the table.
“For what it’s worth, I was just thinking the same thing,” I contributed, scratching at the corner of the label on the glass bottle.
“I knew I wasn’t crazy!” Lex gloated, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know my own sister.”
“You guys are reading too much into this. People change. That’s probably all this is.” Vince needed to shut his mouth, unless he intended to piss off the woman he was a few short days away from marrying. “Fuck me,” he choked. My assumption was Lex punched him or some shit, which would’ve been completely justified. Then he said, “Joe, I’m so sorry, man.” I looked up.
Shannon. Motherfucking Shannon.
“Son of a bitch,” I grumbled under my breath. It was too late to run. She had already locked her sights on me and was headed straight for the table, her smile growing the closer she got. It corresponded with the uneasiness growing in the pit of my stomach. She was going to make the situation as painful as she possibly could.
“I almost didn’t believe it when I heard you were out and about,” Shannon said, grinning. Someone at the bar told her I was here? I glared at Vince, who seemed to shrink in place.
“I’m just having a drink with my friends.” She looked at the empty chair next to me and the half-filled bottle in front of it.
“Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here.” She pulled up another chair from somewhere behind me, completely avoiding the one that was unoccupied. Her arm wrapped through mine resting on the edge of the table. I hated the way her lips felt on my cheek.
“And why would that be?” Lex chimed in.
Shannon smirked. “Because I miss my man. I can’t wait until this wedding is over so I can have him all to myself again.” Why did she snuggle against my side? It felt wrong.
“We aren’t keeping him captive,” Vince sharply announced, leaning back. “He just chooses to be part of a very important time for his best friends.”
“So he keeps reminding me,” she remarked.
“That’s just the kind of guy Joey is,” BC announced, reclaiming her spot. My chest tightened, not wanting her to witness Shannon’s bullshit.
“It’s Joe,” Shannon barked, instantly straightening her back.
BC smiled sweetly. “To you.” Damn, she made me proud. “So, Lex, our appointments are all set for Friday, right?”
“Yup. Starting with nails at ten.”
“I was thinking that the guys should join us for lunch. They all have the day off and will probably be bored to tears without us.”
“You guys interested in meeting us, Mom, and Roni for lunch, or do you already have plans?” We were thinking of hitting Atlantic City for a few hours to keep Vince busy while Alexa got ready for the big day.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Vince grinned. He was stressing over not seeing his bride-to-be from Thursday until the rehearsal Friday night. What could I say? The poor guy was in love.
“We can swing by and pick up your dad, too, if you’d like,” I offered.
“I love you guys,” Lex gloated. “I’ll make sure to change the reservation first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Wow, now that the ridiculousness is settled, how about you come hang out with me for a bit?” Shannon interrupted, rubbing her nails up my leg. I prohibited any further progress by trapping her hand against the leg of the table. “I have this little problem no one can solve quite like you.” She wasn’t the least bit quiet. I had the urge to puke at the thought of BC thinking of Shannon and myself that way.
“Do you have to be such an inconsiderate bitch?” my best friend blurted out.
“Vince!” Lex half-reprimanded, half-laughed his name.
“What?” he asked, holding up his hands. “Don’t holler at me for saying what you’re thinking. Besides, she knows damn well Joe and Brie used to date. She could show my sister-in-law more respect.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s figured out Joe and I have fucked by now,” Shannon laughed. “And I also have no doubt she knows very well how amazing fucking him can be.”
“Actually, I don’t.” BC stood and Lex followed, as did Vince. She threw money one the table. “That kind of thing never happened between us.” Was it wrong how happy her comment made me? BC knew how different lovemaking and fucking could be.
“Apologize to her. Right. Now,” I demanded of Shannon through clenched teeth.
“No, Joey. It’s fine.” BC took one more swig on the bottle, put it back down, and turned to leave. I motioned to Vince that I’d be right behind them.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Shannon sighed. “I only meant it to be funny.”
“Nothing about that was funny,” I growled, picking up the bills BC dropped and replacing them with my own. “Don’t ever let me hear you talking inappropriately to her again.”
“Where are you going?” she remarked as I got to my feet and started to walk away.
“Home with my friends.”
“Come on, Joe. Let them go. Spend the night with me.” She sounded as pathetic as she looked.
“I’d rather not.”
“Don’t forget you’re taking me to my father’s retirement dinner next week.”
“Can’t make it. Sorry.” My back was to her as I started to leave.
“I didn’t even tell you what night it was.”
“Don’t care.” I never cared less for anything in my life.
When I made it to the parking lot, the girls were already in the back of the car, Vince resting against the front passenger door. I waited for the lecture he’d probably mentally prepared specifically for me. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my shorts, I stopped a few feet from him. With any luck, he’d keep the yelling to a minimum, not drawing any attention our way. The longer he stared, the more the guilt of having to face BC grew. Vince rubbed his jaw, perhaps pondering his first words, then cleared his throat.
“You good?” he cautiously questioned. I shrugged. He knew me better than that. “She’s okay.” I nodded, thankful, although not any less weighted. Vince pushed himself off the car, opening my door, then strolled around the opposite side. After a deep breath, I climbed in, keeping my focus forward.
The drive was silent the whole time it took to get back to the Watson’s. As soon as Vince shifted into park, I pushed the door open to help BC from the back. She smiled, allowing the assistance. Her hand felt comfortable resting in mine.
“Thanks, Joey.” She exhaled wit
h the effort and nearly stumbled. I softly chuckled, tightly hanging on. She’d never fall on my watch.
“Graceful as always, Buttercup.”
“It’s nearly impossible to get out of there.” She pointed at the car as if it were to blame. We both frowned at the giggling we heard, walking away to give those two some space. “How can they stand themselves?” BC whispered, her eyes sparkling in the dim moonlight. I could get lost in them forever and never want to leave.
“B…” I sighed, preparing to apologize for Shannon’s crude remarks.
“Don’t.” She placed her hand on my arm. “Really, Joey. It’s fine.” A sadness I didn’t particularly like filled her face. “I’d rather not go there, okay?” I agreed only because seeing her upset deeply hurt.
“Oh, here.” I held out her money I took from the bar.
“What’s that for?” She didn’t take it, so I shoved it into her pocket.
“You didn’t think I’d let you pay, did you?”
“Joey–”
“Let’s go, BC!” Lex joked, smacking her sister on the ass as she walked by. “I need my beauty sleep.”
“She’s so damn obnoxious,” BC grumbled, shaking her head. “Thanks for hanging out with us. Give Maddie a kiss for me.” I stayed there long enough to make certain the girls got inside safely.
Once I returned to the car, Vince took my slumped posture as a sign I didn’t want to talk. When we got back to my place, he dropped me off, saying he’d see me tomorrow. Maddie bounced up and down as the front lock unlatched. Her tail thumping against the wall was loud enough to wake the neighbors. “Hey, baby girl!” My greeting only wound her up further. I kissed the top of her head while rubbing the soft spot under her ears. “That’s from BC.” She barked. “Wanna go for a walk?” Maddie practically knocked me out of the way to get to the door. “Why not?” I said. “It’s not like I’ll be sleeping any time soon anyway.”
For whatever reason, my physics teacher lectured long after the last bell of the day sounded. Luckily, it was senior year and nobody needed to catch a bus to get home. Most students either drove or hitched a ride with a friend. Maybe Mr. Smith knew that, or perhaps he simply couldn’t hear the chiming over the speaker because of the rest of the student body emptying into the hallway. My teacher was long overdue for retirement, but he enjoyed sharing his knowledge entirely too much. At least that was what he claimed when asked.
Every day, Joey would finish at his locker and make his way to mine. Typically, he’d have it open and my softball bag already pulled out before I got there. That day, however, he stood across the hall talking to the captain of the cheer squad. She and I weren’t exactly friends, but we weren’t enemies, either. She had her circle, and I had mine. They rarely crossed. When Joey saw me coming, he winked in my direction. Despite my foul mood, he could always made me smile. I left him to his conversation, spun the dial on the lock to the three numbers embedded in my brain since freshman year, and painstakingly began the task of trying to remember which textbooks were necessary for homework. If the assignment didn’t require the use of the actual book, there was no need to haul those heavy things back and forth. Most of the time, class notes were sufficient.
Once my neon pink backpack was stuffed and zipped, I placed it on the floor in order to utilize both hands to retrieve my softball bag. As usual, it was overfilled and I had to shimmy it out, scraping my knuckles on the latch of my locker in the process. It irritated me so much, I slammed the metal door shut and cursed. Moments later, an arm circled my waist.
“I’m sorry. Don’t be angry,” Joey whispered in my ear.
“You expect me not to be mad? That shit hurt!” I responded, rubbing my fingers. “And it’s my throwing hand.”
“What did you do?” Frowning, he immediately took my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing each digit.
“Scratched it on my stupid locker.” The pain faded as I stared into his eyes.
“Oh…” Joey seemed disappointed.
“What were you expecting?”
He offered his shy smile. “Nothing.”
“Joseph Michael Sullivan, I am not in the mood for games. Just tell me.”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I guess I thought you might’ve been a little jealous.”
“Jealous of what?” I heard the attitude in my tone. It wasn’t Joey’s fault I was grumpy.
“Me talking to Mia.”
“The cheerleader?” I asked, confused. He nodded. My teeth sunk into my lip, prohibiting laughter from escaping. “Jealousy isn’t my thing, babe.”
“So you don’t care if I talk to other girls?” He pouted. My fingers interlocked at the back of his neck, my body resting against his.
“Nope.” I placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“I thought you loved me.”
“More than you know.”
“What if she were asking me out?”
I kissed the other side of his face. “You would’ve turned her down.”
“Of course, but it wouldn’t have pissed you off?” I shook my head. “Damn, B. If some other guy asked you out, I’d break his face.”
“There’d be no need, Joey. I’m not going anywhere with anyone except you.” He angled his forehead to rest on mine. “You know that.”
“I do.” He sighed. “I’d still be pissed, though.” Joey pulled his head back and ran his thumb along my jaw. “She was only asking about the assignment we were given in world history yesterday.” He was brave enough to take an advanced history class, whereas I chose an extra math course.
“Don’t be upset. I just don’t see any reason to deal with jealousy. It makes people ugly, and I don’t want that…for either of us.” He finally looked me in the eye. “I love you, Joey Sullivan, and will forever.”
“I love you, too, Buttercup. And you’re right. I’ll try not to freak the hell out the next time someone asks you out.”
I chuckled. “No one’s asking me out.”
“They better fucking not.” His disappointment vanished, his playful side returning “Now, let’s get practice over so we can go home. By the way, we should do homework at your house tonight.”
I smirked. “That’s because my mom is making steak for dinner.”
He winked. “Is she? I had no idea.”
Through all the years we dated, I never once felt the smallest bit of jealously. I knew there were a few girls who gossiped behind my back because they were interested in him, but I didn’t care. Joey and I had our thing and that was all that mattered. It was completely my decision to let him go. Consequences were expected. Joey getting over me and moving on to someone else, for instance. However, spotting Shannon sitting next to him at the table got under my skin. We weren’t together anymore. Joey was simply being polite, trying not to let the awkward situation ruin a special time in Alexa and Vince’s life. I could get through it for my sister and come out the other side unscathed…for the most part. No big deal.
If it were no big deal, why the hell was I such a bitch to Shannon? That girl brought out the worst in me and I hated it. I hated her. I never hated anyone.
While tossing and turning, I thought of Aidan arriving in two days. I should’ve been concentrating on what he had asked of me. He wanted more, but could I give it to him? He was respectable and courteous, an all-around decent man. Aidan Collins put his heart and soul into helping those who needed him. He’d never turn his back on anyone. On top of that, he was charming, sweet, and handsome, attentive when he should’ve been, backing off when needed. The man had no idea how the female population suddenly became unhinged at the mere sight of him. Most importantly, he wanted me. What more could I have asked for? There was only one problem. I wasn’t in love with him. Perhaps, with time, I would learn to love him. Deep down, I knew part of me was holding onto Joey. If I could just let go of my past, Aidan could be my future. Why couldn’t it be that simple?
The first thing I did Thursday morning was text Aidan. I told him how excited I was he�
��d be coming the following day, asking what time he planned on leaving Connecticut. He responded by calling.
“Hey,” I answered before the first ring ended.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He was in the car. “I was just thinking about you.”
“You were?”
“Well, I usually am, so I guess it’s really nothing new.” His soft chuckle made me smile. “How are you? Not hungover, I hope.” The previous night, I had called him from the bar after seeing he had left a voicemail. He sounded worried when I told him where we were.
“Nah. I’m getting a little too old for that nonsense.”
He laughed again. “You’re still a baby, Brie.” Even though Aidan was referring to how much younger I was than he, I wished he hadn’t phrased it like that. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
Shaking the thought away, I said, “Helping my parents around the house. Mom is freaking out, saying it’s not ready for Lex’s pictures. She wants my dad to work on all the gardens.”
“That poor woman is going to stress herself out before the wedding is over.”
“Probably. I’m going to make lasagna for dinner tonight, which I hope helps relieve some of her anxiety.”
“I love when you cook. Now I’m pissed I won’t get there until tomorrow.”
“Well, it’s only the three of us, so there will be plenty left over. Speaking of tomorrow, what’s your ETA?”
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to hit the road until after lunch.” Keeping my sigh in proved to be quite difficult. Why wasn’t he leaving first thing in the morning? “What time is rehearsal again?”
“Four-thirty.”
“I’ll be there.”
“I don’t think you will, Aidan. Traffic gets rough that time of day. You can’t leave any earlier?”
“Afraid not. Don’t worry. I promise I’ll be there. Could you please text me the address, just in case I need to head directly there?”
“Sure,” I reluctantly agreed. He was traveling a long way to spend time with my family and myself. I didn’t want to come off as bitter.
“Thank you. I’m really looking forward to seeing you. It’s been a shitty week without you here.”
Subtle Reminders Page 25
