Page 121 of Drop Three

Shit. I didn’t think she knew.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie, because I’m a coward and Callaway is here, listening to our conversation.

I see a look of slight hurt cross Navy’s face and instantly regret the lie.

“Oh, maybe not. It’s probably Kingston,” she plays it off, struggling to hide her hurt.

I’m such an asshole.

“Who’s ready to eat?” King calls out.

I let myself look at Navy again and catch her already staring, but she looks away before our eyes connect.

I need to apologize, but I can’t exactly do that here.

“I know I am,” Navy calls out before grabbing the whiskey sour she made for herself and vodka soda for Kodi.

I stand back as she walks out onto the back deck where dinner awaits.

Taking a deep breath, I gather myself before joining them.

I can already tell it’s going to be a long night.

* * *

We don’t havefamily dinner as often as we would like, but our group has always prioritized it despite our busy schedules.

These people are my family, and our time together takes the lead.

It’s nice to have my sister here as well.

“No one invited Briggs?” Gus asks, oblivious to my sudden annoyance.

“Nope,” I bite out through a mouthful of steak.

“You guys are terrible hosts,” Cal says.

King laughs. “You were too when you lived here, ocean eyes.”

The whole table breaks out in overwhelming laughter at the nickname Kodi has always used for Callaway. He’s hilarious to fuck with.

Thankfully, Cal doesn’t get a chance to respond before Kodi chucks a bread roll at King and yells at him to shut up.

“I can’t believe he’s back on the team,” Mack says.

Murmurs of consensus echo around the table before Gus turns to Navy. “He got Addie this weekend?”

She nods. “Yeah. He can’t make it to the gala.”

“That sucks,” Cal says. “But I get it.”

“It’s fine. I’m not on the team, so I’m cool with going solo,” Navy replies.

“Pass the bread, please,” Penelope says beside me.

I grab the bread and hand it to her before taking the last bite of my steak.Fuck, this is delicious.

King needs to open his own restaurant.

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