Page 16 of Always Been Yours

I shake my head. “The grill master gene must have skipped a generation.”

“Dude, your poor daughters. Are you just going to deprive them?” Asher says in faux disappointment.

His sister pokes him with the opposite end of the tongs. “You havenevercooked a day in your life.“ She turns to me. “He has literally gotten coupons for being one of DoorDash’smost loyalcustomers.”

I chuckle at his furrowed brows. “I’ve never heard a single one of you complaining about it when we have movie nights.”

There is a weird tug in my heart to hear that they still have movie nights. I would bet almost anything that the hangouts turn into sleepovers at least a few times a year. The majority of my childhood is the simple memories of blanket forts and fighting over the last bags of kettle corn.

Calypso folds her hands under her chin and says in a saccharine voice, “That’s because you and Hudson are the only two who ever want to pay.”

“Yeah, wewantto pay.“ He looks at me but points in acan you believe herway.

She shrugs, turning back to the grill. “I’ll pay next time then.”

Asher rolls his head in exasperation. “No, none of you are paying. Hudson and I’ll pay.”

Calypso smirks at me over her shoulder. It’s never mattered that she’s the oldest or that she helped Bonnie with her siblings, especially Vivi, until she graduated. The twins have always been just as protective and accommodating to both of them.

And from what they told me when I saw them a few years ago, the surf shop known as The Shack, that they bought almost nine years ago, continues to grow every year. They expanded their merchandise to include other water sports, such as kayaking—probably for Vivi now that I know it’s one of her favorite hobbies—but they didn’t stop there. They sell and rent roller skates, bikes and longboards for the tourists who don’t want to spend time in the water.

The fact that they’re well off and choose to spend that money on their sisters doesn’t surprise me, especially since neither of them has been in a relationship recently.

There is a small crash coming from inside, followed by muffled arguing.

Both of the blondes standing in front of me turn with amusement across their features.

“Are you ready to see her?” Calypso asks. Her voice is sympathetic, but her face says she’s delighted at the prospect of a show at dinner.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I stuff my hands in my pockets, trying to appear casual. I don’t believe for a second that Calypso doesn’t know I’ve already seen Vivi.

“Nah, don’t let him fool you,” Asher pipes in. “He was sweating earlier when I mentioned Viv.”

Calypso’s grin grows more feral in anticipation. “Oh, I don’t mean her.”

“Wha—“

I’m immediately cut off by the low, sarcastic voice of Lexi Hart. “Well, if it isn’t myfavoritehomecoming date.”

I slowly turn around, taking in the mischievous glint in Lexi’s eye. Other than the time we went to the dance together—which was obviously a mutually beneficial ploy to piss off Vivi—we reallydon’t know each other.

What I do remember is that she’s always got off on instigating situations. I doubt that has changed.

Just as I see Vivi’s red hair peek around the corner I retort, “It ismyparents’ house.”

Calypso turns back to the grill while Asher looks down, shaking his head. I can hear all three of the Davies siblings laugh under their breath.

“Hm, I don’t know, Grady Miller. I’m pretty sure I’ve been here quite a few more times than you in the last few years.”

Genevieve finally speaks up, “She’s honestly probably Selena’s favorite.” She’s talking to me but never manages to make eye contact.

“Why do you keep calling me by my first and last name?”

“I don’t think we are on a first name only basis yet.”

“Okay well, I’m back now,Alexandra Hart,so I’ll be taking back the title as my mom’s favorite.”

She laughs, as if the thought is so incredulous. “Sure, sure. Whatever you think.”

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