Page 30 of Seven Lost Summers
She throws the door open with a flair that deserves a spotlight and a fog machine.
“Welcome to Casa de Embarrassment, where my brothers will be your personal idiots for the evening,” she declares, waving her arm like she’s presenting a game show prize nobody asked for.
Bianca laughs, full-on belly laughs, her head shaking as if she’s already regretting her life choices.
“Good to know,” she says, eyes narrowing playfully as she turns to Scarlet. “You’re Scarlet, right?”
With arms crossed and a dramatic tilt of her head, Scarlet fires back. “That depends. Are you here for the music or to witness the circus these two call a personality?”
Bianca smirks, her gaze flicking toward Nate and me. “Mostly here for the second-hand embarrassment. The music’s a bonus.”
Scarlet grins. “Excellent. You’ll be overwhelmed in minutes.”
Bianca arches a brow and steps inside with a smirk. “Perfect, I brought snacks and zero expectations.”
Scarlet lets out a sharp laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Damn, I like you. What the hell are you doing wasting your time on these two idiots?”
Bianca grins, shifting her guitar case and eyeing us both like we’re about to juggle or burst into song. “Still running tests to determine the exact cause of my poor judgment.”
“Wow. Brutal. Right in the ego.” Nate says, hand to his chest, stumbling back like he’s been personally victimized.
“Please. You’d need a soul for that to sting.” Scarlet snorts, arms folded, sarcasm loaded.
Nate flicks her a glance, lips twitching. “Says the girl who held a funeral for her broken drumsticks.”
“Grief is a valid emotion. You wouldn’t get it, robot boy.” Scarlet shrugs.
Bianca lifts a brow, clearly entertained. “You play?”
“Drums. Better than my brother, too.” Scarlet smirks.
“For fuck sake, Scar,” Nate says. “Do you ever shut up?”
“Only when I’m asleep. And even then, I snore insults.” She smirks at Nate before turning to Bianca with a mock flourish. “Well, shall we?”
Nate cuts in, hand dragging down his face. “Oh no. Absolutely fucking not.”
“What? You scared I’ll outplay or out-charm you? Which one is it?”
“No, Scar, I’m scared you’ll sit there and talk shit the entire time.”
“And I fail to see the problem.” Scarlet raises a brow.
Bianca turns to me, smirking. “Are they always like this?”
“You should see them on a road trip. I considered throwing myself from the van,” I say.
Scarlet stares at Nate, waiting for him to cave and get her way like she always does, most of the time. One look, one smartass comment, and he usually folds. Today, though, he doesn’t flinch. Still as stone, he stands there, stubborn as ever.
Scarlet huffs, throwing her hands up.
“See what I have to deal with? Fine. Enjoy being boring.” Spinning on her heel, she storms down the hall, but not before tossing a parting shot over her shoulder. “Try not to suck too much, boys.”
Nate groans shaking his head.
“Every fucking day, I have to put up with this,” he mutters.
Scarlet disappears down the hall and the quiet hits harder than it should.
