Page 6 of One Little Lie
“D-Did I? I, ah … who?” I scratch my neck, pretending to think.
Lexi and Ari both angle their chairs toward me at the same time, a smirk I definitely don’t like on Lexi’s face. Before I can think better of it, I blurt, “You’re dangerous.”
“And I think you need a friend without a dick,” she smarts right back.
That wicked flush creeps down my neck now, and my heart races like I’ve just sprinted six miles.
“No offense, but girlfriends have never really worked out all that well for me.”
When Lexi grins, I feel like prey. “Then we’re going to get along just fine, chica.” She holds up two fingers, and the bartender literally jumps over the bar.
“Hey, Lex. Ya need something?” the young guy dressed in a plaid, button down with sleeves rolled to the elbows asks. He’s cute but young. Younger than Lexi anyway, though I’d judge her to be close to my age.
“You’re an old soul, Rylan.”The memory of Halton’s words whisper over my body like a million tiny butterflies kissing my skin. I shiver and want to rage at the same time.He fooled you once, Ry, don’t go there again.
“Yes,” Lexi informs the googly-eyed bartender. “We need tequila. Six shots, please.”
My eyes go wide.
“The Westbrooks have welcome to the chaos, I have welcome to the she-pack where leggings are encouraged, make-up is optional, and friendship rules the roost.”
The poor bartender is back before I can speak, placing the shots in front of Lexi and failing to catch her eye. She hands Ari and me a shot, then stares me down until I take it. It’s like a strange version of peer pressure. You know she’ll be fine if you turn it down, yet you desperately want to be included in her craziness.
I take the glass, and she hands me a lime.
“To the she-pack.” Clinking our glasses, we shoot them back and come up spluttering in disgust while sucking on a lime.
“Does anyone actually like that taste?” Ari shivers, her words echoing my thoughts.
“No,” Lexi states sardonically. “But we’ve got some bonding to do before our girl Rylan here combusts.”
“Wh … huh? I’m not going to—”
“Incoming,” Ari whisper-screeches, nodding her head frantically toward the door. I didn’t know whisper-screeching was even a thing until this very moment.
Lexi and I follow her gaze to the front door where Easton has a hand on a …Holy shit. A smiling, laughing, slightly stumbling Hatty. Feeling Lexi’s body tense, I shift my eyes to the left.
“Great,” she grumbles. “How the hell did he know we were here?”
“Ah, it’s like the Westbrook network. Where one goes, they all go,” I whisper, shifting my gaze back to the guys.
They’re two slightly different versions of their father, and I’m reminded how strong those Westbrook genes are. Easton’s scowl eases slightly when his bright blue eyes find Lexi, but Hatty’s glassy stare shines with sheer delight and never leaves my face. He zoned in on me the second the door opened, like a moth to a flame, and my insides shiver.
Easton marches through the crowd, dragging Hatty behind him. I drop my eyes to the glass in my hand but am unable to keep it there for long. By the time they reach us, Hatty’s still sporting that boyish grin I haven’t seen in years.
What the hell is wrong with him?
“Don’t even think about it, Locket,” Easton growls.
I’m shocked when Lexi doesn’t talk back. It doesn’t seem like her to take orders from anyone. Then Hatty laughs, and all the air leaves my lungs so quickly I’m lightheaded.
“What got into him?” Lexi scowls.
“GG,” Easton replies while searching for Colton.
“No way. No way! Did she give him her wine?”
I turn to the sound of Lexi’s concerned voice.
