Chapter 38 #2
Minutes later, Xander arrives with the confident swagger of an action movie star, tucking his designer sunglasses into the front of his crisp button-down, his clean, trimmed, slick black hair.
It’s obvious he got a haircut. It’s a lot shorter.
While Max is broad, Xander is leaner, but he still has that broody face that matches Max.
He bumps shoulders with Max, giving him a bro hug, then follows with Leo, then Hector.
He saunters to me with a cheesy grin. “Sol, aren’t you a sight to see?
You look beautiful,” he says as he rubs my belly.
“Damn, Max said you’re having twins—double trouble.
I can’t wait to see Max chasing after them, giving their dad a run for his money. Uncle Xander is going to spoil them.”
Leo comes up behind him. “I’ll be the favorite.”
Xander snorts. “Hell, no. I’ll bribe them with toys.”
Drake is next to walk in, looking like the bad boy he plays out to be.
I don’t think I have ever seen Drake so dressed up in a buttoned-down shirt and trimmed beard, making him appear younger.
His hands are extended for me to take. “Sunny.” He wraps me in his arms. “I’ve missed you, kid.
I’ve been so busy.” He’s busy with his day job, plus the fights hanging over him.
Turning his head to the side, I inspect his small cuts on his lip and under his eye. I hate that he’s doing this. “After a fight, I want you to come to the house so I can fix you up.”
Small dimples appear on his cheeks when he smiles. “Do you want your man to get jealous?” he teases.
I tsk at him. “He would never.”
“I would,” Max jokes, standing behind me, giving Drake fist bumps and a hug.
“Pops,” Drake calls out over the loud music.
“Oh shit, I forgot to tell you to invite Justin,” Max whispers in my ear.
I wave him off. “I did, but he’s busy. He was leaving out of town with his girl.” My brother has been so busy, we haven’t had a chance to visit. My fath—Rowan left him with a mess to clean up.
We settle into burgundy leather seats, cool and smooth against our skin, the upholstery creaking softly as we adjust ourselves around the polished mahogany table.
While waiting for Lana and Toby, the men—except for Hector—order Modelos, large glasses of amber liquid, sweating in the dim light as the waiter arranges them.
Minutes later, the waitress returns with a basket of fresh muffins and a loaf of bread.
I start by ordering appetizers. I’m starved.
Lana is the type who would be late to her own funeral.
Xander excuses himself to run to the restroom.
Two minutes later, Lana points me out to the hosts, then practically runs to me dressed to the nines.
“Ney, I’m so happy to see you. Oh, honey, I’ve missed you.
Look at you. You look absolutely gorgeous.
Pregnancy suits you well.” She gives me the best girl hug.
“You look healthy and glowing, Ney. I mean, Sol.”
“I missed you, too. You know you can come visit anytime.”
“I know. I will. Promise.”
Hugs go around the room. I introduce Toby to Max and the guys, and Lana to Drake. She’s never met him.
“One guy is missing. He ran to the restroom,” I tell Lana and Toby.
Lana and I catch up on everything we can since we last spoke on the phone last week. A small gasp leaves her lips, and she looks like she’s been hypnotized. “Sol, that’s him,” she whispers in my ear.
“Who?”
“The guy…”
“What guy, Lana?” I whisper back.
Her blue eyes are so wide. I’m afraid they will pop out.
“The guy with denim jeans and a blue shirt. He walked out of the restroom. Now he’s walking to the bar.”
I look around, and the only guy I see is Xander.
“He’s coming this way. Oh god.” She turns around.
What the fuck is she talking about? Xander? I’m so confused.
She’s facing Toby, and he caresses her cheek lovingly. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” he whispers.
“Of course,” she says.
Xander sits back at the table, and they both stiffen. No one notices but me.
“Xander, this is Lana, Sol’s best friend and her boyfriend, Toby,” Max introduces them.
Xander is the first to extend his hand. “Nice to meet you…Lana.” His tone is sarcastic, and there’s a bite to it.
Toby shakes his hand. “Xander, nice to meet you.”
Xander nods, his jaw clenched.
“Max was just telling me you’re boxers,” Toby says cheerfully, swirling his rum and Coke.
“We are.” Xander gazes at Lana.
Wait, a minute. The guy she’s talking about is Xander? The one she slept with in the hospital. Oh, shit.
Lana swallows.
I grab my phone and shoot her a text.
Me: He’s the guy from the hospital?
She grabs her purse when she hears it vibrate.
Lana: Yes!!!
Me: Fuck, Lana. You should have told me his name.
Lana: I didn’t know it. Fuck. Fuck. He’s looking at me like he wants to strangle me. Why? He’s the one who left without a word. Why didn’t you ever mention his name? I would have put two and two together.
Me: I don’t know Xander that well, not like Leo and Drake. And it didn’t cross my mind. I’ve had a lot going on. And more like strangle you while he’s screwing you.
She giggles softly.