Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ELIZABETH
S itting in our favorite booth at Ruby’s, I listen to the guys talk, their voices weaving together like the familiar hum of a favorite song. The scent of burgers sizzling on the grill and the faint sweetness of apple pie meld together, mixing with the warmth of the diner’s red vinyl seats beneath me. I soak it all in like parched earth after a hard rain, every laugh, every inside joke, filling the cracks of something I had broken without meaning to.
It’s been so long since the four of us sat together like this—just talking and being silly. The kind of easy, carefree moments that used to come naturally before things got…complicated. I can still remember the way we’d all pile into this very booth on Friday nights after the Fields, legs tangled under the table, elbows brushing as we shared secrets and stole fries off each other’s plates.
I glance at the guys—Ryder grins at Jayson’s sarcastic quip, and Julien rolls his eyes, pretending not to be amused.
It’s weird to feel like an outsider looking in, grasping for something that slipped through my fingers when I started dating Jayson. There was a time when nothing else mattered but being together. Four best friends against the world.
Balancing a large round tray in one hand, our waitress brings our food to the table. I haven’t had anything to eat today other than the piece of toast Mom left out for me, and I’m ravenous.
“Pass me the mustard, please.”
Jayson grimaces and hands me the squeeze bottle. I have an addiction to mustard and fries. I’ll even put mustard on my potato chips. It grosses Jayson out every time.
Because he’s making a face, I slather my fry in the yellow condiment and pop it into my mouth.
“ Mmm . So delicious.”
“Don’t expect me to kiss you after that.”
I coat two fries with a hefty amount of mustard and eat them in one bite. “I can live with that.”
Jayson is quick and snags my next fry, but Ryder steals it and dips it into my mustard.
“You know, this shit is actually pretty good.”
“Thank you, Ryder. See?” I stick out my tongue.
“I stand by what I said. Now mayo, that’s the thing.”
Julien gags. “If you start dipping your fries in mayo, I’m going to lose my lunch.”
He holds his straw up and fires a wad of paper at Jayson. The tiny ball hits him on the forehead and falls into his lap.
“It’s so on, brother.”
Our lunch dissolves into a spitball war, and our waitress is none too happy about it based on the scowls she throws our way. We clean up our mess and finish eating our burgers.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to Hawaii this year for summer vacation,” I tell them.
Ryder reaches over the booth and picks a paper ball out of my hair.
Thank you , I mouth.
His foot touches mine under the table.
“No, shit. Seriously? That would be so fucking awesome,” Jayson says.
“I may have eavesdropped the other night when she was video chatting with Freda and Faith. Sounds like we’ll be heading to the Big Island in June.”
“Hell yeah!” Julien high fives Jayson across the table. “The waves in Hawaii are so much bigger than here.”
Thinking out loud, I say, “I’ll see if Maria wants to help me shop for some new bathing suits.”
Twin groans erupt from Jayson and Ryder.
“What?”
Jayson pulls me to his side and leans in close to my ear. “Don’t forget what happened the last time you wore your bikini top.”
He ignores the eye flare I send him when he drops his hand beneath the table and slides it between my legs. My thighs squeeze tightly together before he can do what I think he’s about to do.
Julien looks at his phone. “Elijah said there’s a party at Fallon’s tonight.”
“I may hate the guy, but his parties are wild. Want to go?” Jayson asks me.
Not really.
“I don’t?—”
“Please. Pretty please.”
Those big gray eyes get me every time.
As usual, I give in too easily. “I guess.”
I’m not comfortable with the idea of going to one of Fallon’s parties. They are notorious for being drugged-up, sexed-up, and completely debauched.
“Elijah will be there. We can hang with him,” Julien says, code for please help me distract my brother, so I can spend some time with my boyfriend.
Looks like I’m going to Fallon’s party.
“Are you and Maria coming?” I ask Ryder.
I have a feeling that I’ll need backup with Jayson. For once, I would like to enjoy at least one party without having to spend the entire night babysitting my boyfriend over the toilet.
“I’ll text her later and see if she’s up for it. Anyway, thanks for lunch. I need to head back to the garage,” Ryder says, getting up.
I clamber over Jayson to get out of the booth, so I can give Ryder a hug. “I’m sorry we kept you out so long. I’m glad you joined us.”
“Me, too. Jules, want a ride to Fallon’s tonight?”
“Sounds good. You guys carpooling with us?”
Jayson takes my hips and pulls me down into his lap.
“I’ll bring Liz in the truck. We’ll meet you there. Text me Fallon’s address.”
Three phones go off at the same time.
When we leave, we make sure to tip the waitress extra. She deserves it for putting up with us.