Page 2 of The Hookup
“I told you enough was enough, but you wouldn’t listen. You’ve had too much, so do me a favor, pal, and go to bed.”
Xavier placed his hand around his stomach.
“And don’t go throwing up here,” Luke complained, walking towards his friend in case he toppled over.
“I’m fine,” Xavier replied. “Jeez. I’m going straight to bed.”
“Alone,” Luke reiterated.
Xavier walked away, raising his hand up, whether to signify that he was fine, or that he was going or what, Luke didn’t know. But he stood there watching, checking to see that Xavier walked towards the main villa, and didn’t detour towards any women nearby.
The idiot.Luke loved the guy like a brother, but there was a world of difference between him and Xavier, even though they both had older brothers. But that was where the similarity ended.
The Stone brothers were different, and even though Xavier seemed eclipsed by Tobias’s success, the two brothers seemed to have a decent enough relationship.
The Hunters were different. There was no love lost between him and that idiot brother of his. Luke had stopped giving a shit about Travis Hunter years ago. His brother could go and burn in the same raging hell he hoped his father would end up in one day.
A vibration in the back pocket of his jeans alerted him, and he fished out his cell phone.
Marie.
He smiled, then glanced at his watch. She was in early today, taking care of things at The Oasis, one of his clubs in New York. She had no fixed start and finish times, but she always did her hours and often worked overtime, too. A single mom with two teenage children, she was probably his closest confidante, as far as the business went.
“Early shift today?” he asked, raising his hand to let the other bartenders know he was taking a call.
“Yes. Is this a good time? I don’t want to interrupt the party or anything.”
He walked away from the bar towards a quieter part of the beach. Over the other side, it was still busy. Tobias and Savannah’s wedding had finished hours ago, and it was almost midnight, but the party was still in full swing and showed no signs of ending soon.
“It’s as good a time as any. The party isn’t going to wind down yet.”
“It’ll be a long night, then?”
He looked around at the guests who were everywhere. “Nobody’s going to bed yet.” Although he hoped Xavier had heeded his advice.
“How was the wedding?” Marie asked.
“Great.”
“Care to share any details? Photos even?”
“Not really. You know weddings aren’t my thing.” Fuck weddings.
“It was wasted on you.”
“I’m here to work, not watch the wedding. Tobias is happy with our service and that’s all that matters.”
“You should have sent me,” said Marie.
“Then Tobias might not have been as thrilled with our service.”
She tut-tutted loudly. “I would have done a stellar job, and you know it.”
He couldn’t argue with that.
“And, I could have told you what everyone was wearing, and how they were behaving, and ensured our service was stellar,” Marie added, a boastful tone to her voice
“I have no doubt.”
