2. Two
2
TWO
T he Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan was one of my sister’s favorite places along the Vegas Strip. She wasn’t an out-of-control partier by any stretch of the imagination, but she did like her cocktails. I wasn’t surprised to find that the bar was making a signature cocktail for the party tonight. It was pink and I could only imagine it somehow tasted pink.
I made a face when Zach extended a martini glass in my direction. The pink concoction inside turned my stomach. “Um … I’m not drinking that.”
Zach glanced over his shoulder. “It’s called The Olivia,” he argued. “Your sister got the head mixologist to design it to mark the occasion. She wants everybody to have one.”
I continued to stare at the glass. “Dude, I can’t drink that and keep my man card.” I was deadly serious. “There’s no way.”
Zach grew more insistent. “You don’t have to drink it all night. You just have to down one of them.”
“No.” The more he pushed, the more I was going to dig my heels in. “I can’t drink that and still be a man.”
The incredulous look Zach shot me had me forcing myself to keep a straight face. In truth, I just didn’t want … whatever was in that cup. I had my sights set on cognac. The older I got, the less I could handle the amount of sugar in some of the cocktails that made their way up and down the Strip.
“It’s a cocktail,” Zach snapped. He took an exaggerated sip of the pink concoction. “Look. I’m still a man.” He gestured toward his crotch.
I managed to keep a straight face, although it took effort. “I think I’m going to need you to prove that.”
Zach shoved my arm, then he burst out laughing before downing the rest of the drink. I didn’t miss the way his nose wrinkled. “That’s foul,” he said as he put the glass on the bar. “You’re my witness that I drank one when your sister asks.”
“What’s in it?” I was curious despite myself.
“Vodka, champagne, strawberry flavoring, grenadine, and a dash of 7UP.”
I was officially appalled. “Dude.”
“I know.” Zach wrinkled his nose again, then he grinned. “It has a nice lingering aftertaste. It’s sweet. Just like your sister.”
I flicked his ear. “Don’t be gross about my sister. I don’t like it.”
“Your sister is my wife. I have no choice but to be gross about her.”
“Oh, you have a choice. You just willingly surrendered your man card for some ungodly reason and pretended otherwise. I don’t even understand why you would do it. The fact that you’re so happy about it is dumbfounding to me.”
Zach merely shrugged. “Sometimes people fit together in ways you don’t expect.”
“Don’t talk about having sex with my sister.” I was firm on that. “I said I accepted your relationship with her. Sex talk is a bridge too far, though.”
“I wasn’t talking about sex.” Zach’s expression turned dark. “I was talking about the other stuff.”
“What other stuff is there?”
“You know … like feelings and emotions.”
I waited for the punchline. When it didn’t come, all I could do was shake my head. “I don’t even know what happened to you. It’s utterly disgusting, though.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Zach led me to a small corner booth. A server in a skimpy outfit immediately popped up. “Can I get you gentlemen something?” she asked, her lascivious gaze bouncing between us.
This was not a new development. Zach and I had been going to the bar together for as long as I could remember. Wherever we went, the women followed … and flirted. Some of them recognized Zach. He came from one of the wealthiest families in Vegas, which was saying something. Some of the attention I got was simply because they assumed I was important because I was with Zach. Other bits and pieces of attention erupted simply because of the way I carried myself. I wasn’t dumb enough not to realize that most of the attention I garnered was because of my looks.
I wasn’t an overly deep man. Like … I didn’t spend the bulk of my time reading poetry, drinking cappuccinos, and thinking about my inner man child. I wasn’t nearly as shallow as some people assumed either. Was I bothered that my looks were what I was known for? Yes. Well, sometimes. Okay, not as often as I probably should have been bothered. Did that stop me from using my looks to get dates? Not even a little.
I’d always thought Zach would be like me, a consummate bachelor until he was forty and then he would settle down with a younger woman and have kids. That was the dream when we were growing up. Now, suddenly, he was thirty-three and utterly devoted to my baby sister. They weren’t talking about kids just yet, but I knew they were coming.
Was I annoyed with my sister for stealing my best friend? Yes, and I was man enough to admit it. I missed my wingman. Their happiness made me happy, though. Plus, Olivia didn’t demand all of Zach’s attention. When he and I wanted to hit up the sports bar for a drink and to watch a game, she was fine with it. She didn’t nag him. She didn’t constantly invite herself along on our outings. Sometimes she came with us. Since I was genuinely fond of my sister, I was fine with it.
The restless energy I was feeling these days had nothing to do with Olivia and Zach. I wanted to blame them—and occasionally I did just to amuse myself—but in reality, the fact that I couldn’t seem to get comfortable in my own skin was coming from someplace else. I’d never had that problem before. I was an easygoing guy.
Yet, still— still —something felt off in my life. I simply couldn’t identify what it was.
“I’ll have a shot of the Buffalo Trace Double Eagle with a club soda chaser,” Zach volunteered.
I gave him an odd look. “That’s a weird combination. It’s also an expensive one.” I happened to know that the Buffalo Trace Double Eagle sold for like twenty grand a bottle.
He shrugged. “I want to celebrate. I’ll just be having the one shot,” he said to the server.
“Of course.” The woman’s smile never faltered. “I’m Misty. I’m here to get you whatever you want.”
I cocked an eyebrow as I waited to see how Zach would respond.
“I’m celebrating my wife,” Zach replied, not missing a beat. “The bourbon and soda will be enough for me.” He clapped his hand on my shoulder. “My friend here, however, is always open for offers.”
I glared at him. “Don’t make me sound pathetic.” I turned my smile toward Misty. She seemed nice enough. “I’ll have a Maker’s Mark on the rocks, please. Also, keep those weird pink drinks away from me.”
“Oh, those are for an engagement party,” Misty said. “They’re not for everybody.”
“They’re for us,” Zach replied. “My wife and I are the ones throwing the party.”
Confusion had Misty’s eyebrows moving toward one another. “Um … I was told it was an engagement party.”
“It is.”
“But … if you’re married, how can you be engaged?”
Rather than being annoyed by the question, Zach shrugged. “We’re having a second wedding. Our first was an impulse event. This time, we’re going a little bigger … although nothing too extravagant.”
“Oh.” Misty bobbed her head. “I understand.” The look on her face said otherwise. “I’ll get your drinks.”
I waited until she was gone to unload on my friend. “Can you not try to set me up with the server? It makes me uncomfortable when you act like my pimp.”
Zach laughed. “Sorry. She’s pretty, though. I thought she would be right up your alley.”
I shrugged. “I’m not feeling her. She’s a blonde.”
Zach’s eyebrows winged up. “Since when are you picky about hair color? I seem to remember coming home when we were living together and finding more than one blonde riding you on the couch.”
“Riding me?” I spurted out a laugh. “That’s something Olivia would’ve said. Are you picking up her sayings now on top of everything else?”
Zach shrugged. “Maybe I am. She says funny things. I can’t help it.”
“I’ve always thought she was funny,” I agreed. “I just never thought you would be the one bringing out the funny in her.” I cast him a sidelong look. “You didn’t know that, right? Like … back when we were sixteen and she was fourteen, you didn’t think there was a chance she would be the one polishing your funny bone, did you?”
Zach gave me a dirty look. “No. We’ve been over this. I thought you were going to stop being weird about me being with your sister.”
“I’m not trying to be weird. It’s just … well … my duties as a best friend and my responsibilities as a brother are starting to war with one another. As much as I want to encourage you, she’s still my baby sister.”
Zach’s sigh was long and drawn out. “I will never hurt her,” he said after several seconds. “Not on purpose. I’ll protect her with everything I have.”
Because I knew that was true, all I could do was nod. “I know. I’m just in a funky mood. Ignore me.”
Oh, well, I had his full attention now. “Why are you in a funky mood?”
I shrugged. “I’m just … I don’t know … it’s hard for me to explain.”
“Oh, please tell me this isn’t about me and Livvie.” Zach looked pained. “Man, I told you that it wasn’t on purpose. Yes, I kind of thought maybe it was a bad idea from the start—I had a few hidden feelings for her—and I probably should have told you that before we exchanged vows. I didn’t know this was going to happen, though.”
I regarded him for several seconds. Torturing him might be fun. If he didn’t have so much going on. It’s not just his father—although Ryder Stone was making things difficult for his entire family—but it’s being a husband too. Marriage was not new for Zach this far into the game, but they were still settling in. I didn’t want to add to their adjustment period.
“It’s fine,” I assured him. “I don’t ever want to hear about the things you do with my sister, though.”
The relief was palpable as Zach relaxed. “What are you talking about? We go home every night and play Monopoly. We don’t do anything else.”
I laughed because I couldn’t help myself. “Good to know.”
“That’s what you want to hear, right?”
“Yup. Monopoly and Chutes and Ladders for the rest of your life.”
“When we do have a kid—I’m not saying that’s happening anytime soon or anything—but when we do, what game am I supposed to play then?”
He looked so earnest I felt a weird tug somewhere in the vicinity of my heart. “Are you guys talking about kids?”
“Eventually,” he confirmed. “I mean … we both want at least one. We’re going to see how that goes before we decide on more.”
“Hmm.” I had to think about that. “I kind of like the idea of being the favorite uncle,” I admitted after several seconds.
He laughed. “You don’t want to be a dad?”
“One day. I don’t think I’m there yet.”
“So … there’s nothing else that’s bothering you?” he pressed.
“What else would be bothering me?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You seem a little off lately, though. I just don’t want you to be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you,” I promised. “It’s just something I’m getting used to. I lost my wingman,” I reminded him. “Without you, life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to use this to bring in all the women.” I pointed toward my smile. “It’s doable, but it was easier when we had your wallet to fall back on.”
Zach scowled. “Um … women fell for more than my wallet. Come on.”
Laughter erupted. “I can’t remember that ever happening.”
Olivia picked that moment to join us. “What are you two laughing about?” she asked as she slid in on Zach’s side.
His eyes immediately went to her, and he grinned. “Hey, baby.” He gave her a soft kiss, the sort that turned my stomach. It wasn’t just because she was my sister either. No, it was something more. “How are you?”
“Did you have an Olivia drink?”
He nodded. “It was delicious, just like the woman who served as inspiration.” Only an idiot would’ve missed the fact that the conversation was turning sexual.
“And on that note…” I stood up and grabbed my drink from Misty as she approached. “You guys are officially gross,” I told them. “I mean … just absolutely disgusting.”
Olivia turned her pretty smile to me. “You’re just jealous. I know, deep down, you want someone special to love too. I’m going to make that my mission when we’re back from our honeymoon.”
I glared at her. “Don’t you even think about it. I happen to like being a bachelor.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we’ll talk again in a few weeks.” With that, she plastered herself against Zach and they got lost in each other’s mouths.
“Ugh.” Misty glared at them.
I grinned. “I’m right there with you.”
I GOT DRUNKER THAN I ANTICIPATED. ONE BOURBON turned into four. The Stone sisters wanted to dance, which meant that they needed someone to dance with them. I became their monkey. They even referred to me as their monkey in a suit.
I was about to call it a night—if I didn’t, I was going to hate myself the following morning—when Ruby grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the dance floor.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” she teased. One look at her and I knew she was as tipsy as me.
“I’m going home, Booby Ruby. You should too.” I was a little unsteady on my feet, which wasn’t like me. I’d definitely drank too much, and in too short of time. “I have to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, come on.” Ruby batted her eyelashes. “This is my favorite song.”
I had to crane to hear what music was playing. “What is that? Is that Enya?”
She snorted. “Enya? How old are you?”
“Not as old as you.”
Something dark flitted in her eyes. “I’m not that much older than you.” She nudged me toward the dance floor. “Come on. Just one more dance. Pretty please.” She gripped her hands together and batted her eyelashes as she wheedled. “I love this song.”
“Fine.” I didn’t have it in me to disappoint her. I liked her too much. Actually, out of all of Zach’s sisters, she was my favorite. I didn’t dislike Opal and Pearl. They were in their own little world when we were growing up, though. Ruby wasn’t that much older than us. Sometimes she hung around with us when we were playing pool and screwing around. Most of the time she was desperately trying to fit in with her older, more worldly sisters. Occasionally, however, she relaxed and allowed us to entertain her. That’s when I liked Ruby best.
I still didn’t recognize the song when we started dancing. I pulled her into my arms and looked down at her, grinning at her flushed features. She’d been dancing so hard that she’d pulled all of her dark hair back and sweated through the bulk of her makeup. She was still beautiful. That was one thing the Stone family had going for them, ridiculous genetics.
“Look how happy they are,” Ruby mused, breaking me out of my reverie.
“Hmm?” I dragged my attention in the direction she was looking and found Zach and Livvie pressed together on the dance floor. They were in their own little world. “Yeah, it’s disgusting,” I agreed.
She laughed, catching me off guard. “I think they’re kind of cute.”
“Are you jealous that your brother got married first?” I was honestly curious.
Something dark flashed in the depths of her eyes. “Are you jealous that your sister got married first?”
“No.” I vehemently shook my head. “I’m not ready for ‘until death do us part’ yet. I’m still in the ‘what’s your name again’ phase.”
This time Ruby laughed so hard I thought she might be having some sort of fit. “You’re funny,” she said when she’d recovered.
“I’m being serious. I’m just not ready for … that .” I made a face as I motioned toward my sister and the man I considered a brother. “Do you know they’re talking about kids? They’re not going to do it right away or anything, but they’re talking about it.”
Ruby shrugged. “I always knew Zach would make a great father. Well, as long as he got away from our father. I mean, let’s face it, our father was a terrible role model. Your father, however, was a great role model for Zach.”
My father was the king of fathers. I couldn’t disagree with that. “It’s just weird to me. A few months ago, they were fighting about having to be fake married. Now they’re…” I didn’t know how to finish it out.
“Living happily ever after,” Ruby finished for me.
“Yeah.”
“So gross,” she said after a second, making me laugh. “I’m still in the ‘what’s your name again’ phase too. I had to be in it because of my father. He wanted to marry me off as part of a business deal. That was the only way I could protect myself.”
“And now?” I was honestly curious.
“I’m a work in progress.”
“That’s how I consider myself too.”
She rested her head against my shoulder. “Those pink drinks are going to make me regret my life choices in the morning,” she said out of nowhere.
“It’s not just the pink drinks. I did the same with the bourbon.”
“Is it just me, or do the hangovers hurt more now that we’re in our thirties?”
“It’s not just you.”