Page 122 of Crave

“Great. Now, let’s get back to how much of a pussy Jake is for wanting to bring his fiancé to his bachelor party,” JD says.

“Total spineless jellyfish,” Troy says.

“This jellyfish can kick your ass,” I say, relieved to have the bit of tension behind us.

“You’re not going to kick anybody’s ass with Sandy’s mother around,” Troy reminds me with a smirk.

A few minutes later, the Etienne’s arrive with more food and dessert.

“I’m going to get fat,” I whisper to Troy when we finally finish emptying out Tash’s SUV.

“Too late,” he whispers back.

We stand in the yard as our parents talk to Sandy’s mom, Tash, and Chris. Right next to them is Sandy’s younger cousin, Vivian. I met her several times, and she looks like a younger version of Gabrielle and Tash. She stands barely five feet tall and probably weighs less than one hundred pounds. Her hair is a wild, curly mess that falls past her shoulders.

She looks over and I wave. Her eyes scan the area and land on JD, who’s talking to Troy. Her eyes light up and she walks over. She’s different than the other women in Tash’s family, who tend to be more reserved.

“Hey, Jake. Who is this?” She sticks out her hand, and JD takes it.

“Dr. Jason Dupree, otherwise known as JD, friend and brother from another mother,” I say.

JD takes her hand, barely glancing at her.

“Sandy’s sister is so fine,” he says instead. I don’t think he even realized that Sandy’s cousin was standing in front of us and holding his hand.

“Tash? Yeah, too bad for you she’s happily married. You know, everyone says I look just like her.” Vivian is not wrong. They favor each other, right down to their small frame. The two minor differences are Vivian’s wild hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose.

JD finally looks away from Tash and focuses back on Vivian.

“Aren’t you about twelve?”

Viv, affronted, pulls her hand away from JD. “Nineteen,” she huffs.

“Same difference.”

Her cheeks tinge with embarrassment, but before she can say anything, we’re all hit from the back.

“Luke the Nuke, bitches!”

Luke practically tackles all of us from the back. I lose my balance and bump into Vivian, which causes her to fall on her ass.

“Luke!” Troy admonishes as he regains his balance. He offers Vivian a hand and pulls her up. “Are you okay, Vivian?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” She’s dusting any dirt off her pants when her eyes land on Luke.

“You!” she practically screeches.

“What the hell are you doing at my house?” He takes a step towards her. He towers over her, but like a true Etienne, she doesn’t back down. In fact, she takes a step toward Luke. The rest of us watch, amused at the scene.

“Your house? A barbarian like you lives in a nice house like this?”

“You two know each other?” JD asks.

“Yes, he nearly killed me in the parking lot a few months ago, just like he nearly killed me now.”

“You just told Troy you were fine. And you’re the one who ran into me in the parking lot. Maybe if your eyes weren’t glued to your phone, you would have seen me. Let’s not forget, I helped you up after you fell. Clumsy, much?”

She closes the space between her and Luke. “I’ll show you clumsy, you big oaf.”

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