The Trouble With Us: A Second Chance Love Triangle (The Forbidden Love 2)

Beside me, Andy lets out a long-winded whistle.

“This place is next level.”

“I know, right? No wonder Ava wanted to spend the weekend here. It makes our place back home look so small.”

Andy chuckles, shaking his head to disagree. “Your place back home is probably the same size as this. You just think its small because you’ve lived there your entire life.”

“Maybe.” I shrug my shoulders until we are standing outside on the large patio overlooking the pool. I turn to point toward my left. “But we don’t have a helipad? Now that is next level.”

“Who the hell owns a helipad?”

“Someone I probably should have married instead of an actor who is supposedly on set with all these beautiful young men.” The familiar voice instantly brings a smile to my face.

“Eric!” I grin, throwing my arms around him. “You came.”

“Hey!” He pulls back, slightly annoyed I’ve embraced him as he flattens out the yellow silk shirt he wears. Eric never appears to age, though he is quite open with his love for Botox. It’s no surprise that his hair is perfectly styled, with Dolce & Gabbana glasses perched on top of his head. “This is Chanel, darling. Be careful.”

“Oh, look who is here.” Mom is walking through with Dad following her. I greet them hello, with my usual kiss and hug. “If it isn’t Mr. Kennedy and his million-dollar shirt. You know what’s going to happen later? Rocky will probably throw you in the pool once he’s gotten some alcohol into him.”

Eric gasps, pressing his hand to his throat. “He can’t do that. My Gucci loafers can’t handle the trauma.”

“What’s up party people!” Rocky struts through the door, wearing a T-shirt which say’s, “Real men don’t wear pink, they eat it.” With his sunglasses on, and a drink in his hand, I suspect he is already toasted with the possibility of throwing someone in the pool very soon.

“That shirt is something.” Mom winces.

“I love it.” Eric claps his hand with excitement. “I once had a friend, let’s just call him John. He hated eating pussy, said it was like eating a kumquat.”

Mom folds her arms while shaking her head, disgusted by his analogy. Dad, on the other hand, appears amused by Eric.

“For starters, your friend John was actually named John,” Mom points out. “And secondly, I am deeply offended that a man would say such a thing.”

Eric shrugs his shoulder. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I happen to like the taste of kumquats.”

I shake my head, willing this conversation to run its course. While Eric’s humor amuses me, all this pussy talk in front of my father is extremely awkward.

“Can we stop saying kumquats? So, when is everyone else getting here?”

The moment I say it, the rest of my family arrive. My uncles, Julian, and Noah, walked in first while Aunt Adriana and Kate followed behind them. I notice they have no bags accompanying them, then remember Ava mentioning that they chose to stay at my parent’s estate which is a few minutes away. It was all last minute apparently but comes as no surprise. All our parents enjoy expensive liquor. Their idea of fun is drinking around a fire and telling stories of the past. Eric is a bit of an in-betweener, depending on his mood.

As for Uncle Rocky, he prefers the loud music, endless shots, and bikini-cladded girls. Disturbing, yet equally entertaining at the same time.

Luna, Jessa, and Nash walk behind their parents. It’s been a while since I last saw them since all three had left for college. If I recall correctly, Luna and Jessa are attending California State while Nash goes to Berkeley.

Greetings and hugs are exchanged until my Uncle Noah pulls me aside.

“I can’t believe you’re studying law. When was the last time I saw you?”

“A while, but that’s not my fault.” I gently punch his chest. “Every time I visit, you’re traveling for work. You’re just like Dad.”

Kate interrupts, squeezing me tight before Uncle Noah places his hand around her hip.

“Are you calling my husband a workaholic?”

I let out a snort. “You guys are just as bad as each other. You’re both workaholics. I challenge you both to turn your phones off this weekend, you know, try to function without email.”

Uncle Noah and Kate turn to look at each other, amused by my calling out their addiction to work.

“That would be no problem if Sienna wasn’t with your grandmother and Alexandra. Lord knows that girl is something else.”