Page 69 of Whiskey Sour
“Where’s the new bartender?”
I snort. I don’t know how long Davis insists on calling Max “the new bartender.” I turn to Cassius and smile. “Think he’s done by now?”
“Done with what?” Davis nearly snaps. When we all widen our eyes at him, he clears his throat and corrects himself. “He has something I need.”
“Can we help with that?” Everest asks.
Davis… Oh my fuckingGod. He’sflushed. “No. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find Butch.”
Cassius juts his thumb over his shoulder where Butch is talking to…Archibald? Apparently, a very lively conversation by the way he looks ready to pummel him into the ground.
This is the best partyever.
Davis walks away before I can pry into, well, everything. I lean back in my seat and giggle, rubbing my hands mischievously. “Do you know what this means?”
“We can’t get trashed now?”
I narrow my eyes at Cassius. “No. I now have fuel for my fanfiction.”
“Please, don’t tell me you’re still making chibis too,” Rhys groans, rubbing his temples. “The ones of me and Everest have scarred me for life.”
I’m about to frown until Everest leans forward to whisper to me. “He’s a big liar. They’re framed in our living room.”
I smile and open my mouth to tease the fuck out of Rhys for that, but a round of applause cuts me off. Turning toward the house, I see that Elton and Knox have finally made their appearance. They’re both so handsome that it’s like watching movie stars walk down the red carpet. I jump to my feet, cheering them on as they pass by their guests. Elton has the biggest smile on his face, practically beaming, while Knox is grimacing. I can figure that this isn’t his type of thing, but he loves Elton enough to go through with it.
They stop briefly to hug who I suspect are Elton’s parents before making their way up a small platform at the edge of the garden. God, he’s so extra. Elton takes a microphone from someone and holds it up to his mouth. “Wow, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much Knox and I appreciate every single one of you here today.”
From what I’ve learned, that’s doubtful, but audience participation isn’t necessary right now.
“I want to say a few words, but first, I’d like to turn your attention to my wonderful husband.” Elton holds out the microphone at Knox who simply stares at it. Then Elton leans in and mutters something in his ear, which causes Knox to roll his eyes and snatch the microphone.
Oh, Knox speaking publicly in front of Miami’s rich and elite?
Best. Party. Ever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Cassius
I’m such a dick.
I’m trying to keep a straight face as Knox faces down his guests. He’s so out of his element right now, uncomfortable, and I’m such a shit friend for finding it hilarious. In my defense, however, I’m not the only one finding it incredibly entertaining. Skylar is snickering under his breath while Rhys wolf whistles. Everest is trying to be sympathetic, but even he can’t contain his smile.
God, we all suck.
“Wow, thanks for that, Elton,” Knox mutters into the microphone, wincing when he gets feedback. He taps it a few times and clears his throat. “So, yeah. Thanks to everyone who’s here. Well, thanks for the five of you I know. The rest of you…” he trails off, gesturing at the crowd. “Anyways, I’m not a huge fan of public speaking?—”
“You’re telling us!”
“Rhys!” Everest hisses, hitting his fiancé’s shoulder. “Don’t make it worse.”
“Please,” Rhys snorts. “He’d do the same shit to me, and you know it.”
Knox narrows his eyes at Rhys, his upper lip curled in a snarl, but when Elton clears his throat, he shakes his head. “Right. So, yeah. Elton and I have been married for a while, and you are all here to celebrate it. Um…”
Oh God, this is cringe worthy. It was amusing at first, but now I feel genuinely bad.
Knox seems to be reaching his limit, the vein in his tattooed neck more prominent than it usually is. It looks like he’s about to throw the microphone at someone, but when he glances over his shoulder at Elton, something shifts.
