Chapter 3
3
“We are so proud of you,” Alexis gushes as we dance at Palmetto’s. The bar is filled with new grads living our best college lives one final time.
“We?” I raise my eyebrow. I would typically assume she means her and Macy, but she could be referencing her NBA-playing boyfriend. With the Knights out of the playoffs, he was able to party with us, too. He may be a basketball superstar to most, but to us he’s the guy who simped over our roommate until she finally relented and went out with him.
Alexis and Aiden are a perfect pair. They make every relationship I’ve ever been in seem like an elementary school crush. It doesn’t help that they are both tall and beautiful. I’m no slouch, but Alexis is model tall. The world is not ready for the D1 babies these two will produce.
“Her and I, obviously,” Macy states as she saddles up beside us. “You earned two degrees in the same amount of time most people get one. That is worth celebrating!”
Macy’s no nonsense tone tells me she knows my head has been a mess about my next move and she isn’t tolerating any self doubt. And I love her for it. As much as I plot and plan, I would have been lost these past few years without my girls. The four of us, Alexis, Macy, Lainey, and I were put in a dorm together freshman year and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
I offer Macy a smile because I am proud of my accomplishment, even if getting two degrees was a decision I made out of fear. I never told anyone that, and I doubt I ever will.
Macy passes me a vodka pineapple and I happily sip. “Lainey isn’t here yet?” I question searching for the fourth member of our group.
“Not yet,” Alexis replies. “She said she had a surprise coming with her, though.”
The infamous surprise. Before I have time to wonder what it is, the energy of the entire bar shifts. I peer around for the cause and my chest squeezes at the answer. Sauntering into the room is Lainey flanked by four dark-haired, handsome men. I recognize all of them instantly, even little Bryce who is not little anymore.
“Girlies!” Lainey yells, bouncing over to us. “Look who decided to surprise me for graduation.”
The resemblance between the siblings is uncanny. Despite the scruff decorating some of the men’s faces, they all have dark eyes, strong brows, and Greek noses so perfect they would make a statue jealous. Bryce and Jack break off for the bar while the other two head our way.
“Hi, ladies,” Grayson greets. “Long time, no see.”
“Hi!” Macy and Alexis shout in unison. It takes me longer to recover as my eyes followed Jack, Lainey’s middle brother. The one I spent the most time around as a kid and the one who gave me my first heartbreak, even if he didn’t know it .
“Congratulations,” a voice says from beside me. Turning, I notice Declan has made his way over to me. He may be the youngest of the trio, but he is the most serious. Grayson and Jack adopted more causal attitudes after their mother while Declan is all Daddy Ryder. He has an air of dominance that somehow makes him instantly comforting.
“Thank you,” I reply. “We didn’t know y’all were coming.”
“It’s not every day your little sis graduates from college. We wanted to support Lainey. She’ll have to show you the video of us surprising her. It was priceless.”
As I speak with Dec, I can’t help but notice jealous glares aimed my way from around the room. If only those wearing it knew I’d know the man over half my life and had nothing but platonic feelings toward him. If only I could say the same for his brother.
Risking a glance, I seek out Jack among the crowd. I almost audibly groan once I take him in. Wearing faded jeans, boots, an open short sleeve button up, and his signature ball cap, he is making country boy chic happen. His hair is longer than it used to be and he is rocking a Tom Selleck stache. It’s not my usual taste, but it really works for him.
Alexis and Aiden are laughing at something he said. He always had that ability. He effortlessly charms everyone in whatever room he is in. It’s a skill I’ve admired. It’s not that people dislike me, but the words ‘intense’ and ‘high-strung’ have been used to describe me on more than one occasion. It must be nice to be easy going and not focused on a million things at one time.
Even though he gives off a carefree, lovable vibe, I can see the insecurity it masks. I’ve always seen Jack. Of all the Ryders, he is the one who cares the most about being liked as if his existence is validated by those around him. After years in the spotlight, he thankfully doesn’t care what strangers think of him, but it has made the opinions of those he does care about weigh more heavily.
As if he can sense my stare on him, his gaze rises and locks onto mine. Neither of us breaks it for a long moment until he winks and returns to his conversation.
“What are your plans now that you’ve graduated?” Declan asks, reminding me he is there. If he found my staring contest with his brother odd, he doesn’t let on. I pray the lights in the club are dark enough he doesn’t see my pinkened cheeks.
“That’s the million dollar question,” I sigh. “I was so focused on earning the degree, I didn’t exactly make plans on what to do with.”
“What do you want to do?”
“A million things. Nothing. Everyone keeps telling me I have endless options, but the issue with endless options is how to narrow it down. I have all these expectations on me now and not the faintest plan on how to meet them. It’s kind of crippling.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to dump on you. That is probably not what you were expecting when you asked.”
“It’s alright. I’ve been told I am easy to talk to. You sound a bit like Lainey before she finally settled on her design major. Do you know what helped her?”
“J?germeister and a Phi Delta party?”
“I don’t think I want to know what that means.” He grimaces. “And no, time.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have much of that. The longer I am unemployed, the more people will wonder why and the more annoying my dad will become.”
Declan ponders this for a moment before he settles something in his mind. “What if you had a job, a temporary one, that bought you time to figure out your next move? Something most people would call you a fool to pass up. ”
“That would be nice, but I haven’t found that on LinkedIn.”
“What are we chatting about over here?” Grayson asks as he joins the two of us. “I recognize the look of Declan when a plan has formed.”
“I was about to offer Ellie a job on the tour,” Declan replies.
“You were?” I question. “Doing what exactly?”
“Merchandising assistant. Shonda is constantly saying she needs more help with the merch.”
“You want me to help sell merch on the tour?”
“No, I mean yes, technically. Shonda does oversee all that, but she is also in charge of the set up and styling of the area. Plus, she chooses the items we have available on tour and in our store. The tour goes on for another three months, so you would have plenty of time to get something lined up when it ends.”
“Wow. Thank you so much for the offer. I’m not sure I am cut out to be on a tour, though. I know y’all are used to it, but it is kind of intimidating doing it alone.”
“Lainey will be there,” Grayson supplies.
“She will?”
“That was another part of our surprise. This is probably our last chance to all travel together with Lainey graduating and Bryce starting to do his own thing. And the first chance we have as adults without Mom and Dad over our shoulders. Bryce is going to help the sound engineers, and Lainey is going to work with the stylists.”
“That’s perfect for her,” I state. Lainey has been searching for a way to get her foot in the door as a stylist, and this is a great opportunity for her.
“You don’t have to decide right now,” Declan informs me. “We have this week off and are playing at a music festival next weekend. We kick the end of the tour off Memorial Day Weekend and that is when Lainey will join us. Talk it over with her and whoever else you want, but the job is yours if you want it. ”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Of course, Ellie Bellie,” Grayson coos. “You’re almost as much of a little sister to us as Lainey. It’s going to be a blast getting to know the adult version of you. Put it out of your mind tonight, though. You’re supposed to be celebrating!”
“You got it, Gray,” I say, giving both brothers a squeeze. “I’ll let you know soon.”
Rejoining my girls, I spend the rest of the night drinking, dancing, and pretending tomorrow will never come.