Page 137 of Champagne Nights

“I can’t believe you went surfing without me.”

“You go every day without me.”

“That’s because you refuse to go.”

“Drop it, little brother. Oh, and eighteen? Really?” I whispered.

“I can’t help how old she is,” he said with a cocky smile.

My mom sat down next to Ben and placed her hand on his. “I’m so sorry about your wife.”

“Mom!” I exclaimed.

“It’s okay, Paisley,” Ben said. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

As my mom interrogated him about his job and life, Charlotte pulled me inside the house.

“Ben’s hot. I sure hope you’re going to get some of him.” She winked.

“Charlotte! I’m not sleeping with him. We’re friends. Nothing more.”

“He’s a good guy, Paisley. I’ve seen him in the ER with people, and he’s rare.”

“What’s up with that friend of Keaton’s? Are they dating?” Piper asked as she walked up and joined in on the conversation.

“I think so. Keaton said she’s really great, and he really likes her.”

“She’s eighteen. She just graduated from high school this year, and she’s not in college. What’s so great?” Piper whispered.

“He’s thinking with his dick like usual,” Charlotte said just as Ben and my mom walked in.

“Charlotte Ann!” she squealed.

I was embarrassed that Ben had heard that. “Sorry. She’s talking about Keaton.”

“Who’s talking about me?” he said.

“Charlotte said you’re only thinking with your dick about Brielle,” Piper answered.

“Well, I’m not gonna lie.” He smiled.

I wanted to die of pure embarrassment. I grabbed Ben’s hand and led him to the living room, where my dad was sitting on the couch.

“I warned you about my family.”

He chuckled. “They’re great, Paisley. Don’t worry about it.”

“They’re crazy.” My dad smiled at him.

Ben sat and talked with my dad for quite a while. I got up and asked him if he wanted another beer. As I walked into the kitchen, the rest of the family grew silent. They were all huddled and leaning across the island.

“Oh, please. Don’t stop talking about me just because I’m here,” I said as I opened the refrigerator.

“We weren’t talking about you, sweetheart,” my mom said.

“I brought Ben here tonight to shut you all down. Ben and I are friends. We aren’t dating, and we aren’t having sex. He’s a FRIEND. A friend who happens to understand what I’m going through because he’s going through the same thing. So shut the gossip mill down and move on to something else. I have an idea. How about you all talk about Brielle?”

“Hey,” Keaton said.

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