“Wait. Have you met someone, Barrett?”
“Lourde Diamond has been staying with me in the Hamptons’ house. Long story.”
“As in Connor Diamond’s sister, Lourde?”
“Yes.” I swallowed. What the heck was I doing?
“She’s a gorgeous girl, Barrett. But I don’t need to tell you, you're in dangerous territory there.”
“I know. Anyway, she has a date with her future husband on Friday night.” I cleared my throat. “So this little thing we had going on is ending, which is probably a good thing.”
“Then why don’t you seem pleased?”
I didn’t have an answer, and it wasn't any clearer as I pulled into my drive.
“Hello?”
“Sis, I’ve got to go. I’ve just arrived at the house, and I’m hosting a party tonight. And I think all the boys are here already.”
“This conversation isn’t over, Barrett.”
“Talk soon.”
“Barrett—”
I hung up and inhaled, my lungs suddenly depleted of oxygen.
* * *
When I first got home, I said a quick hello before darting upstairs to change out of my suit and into casual pants and a black t-shirt. I noticed Lourde’s door was closed, so I returned downstairs.
Hunkholes?Was that what Lourde had called the four of us?
Connor, Ari, and Magnus sat on the deck drinking and eating whatever the caterers provided. People mingled and chatted in the living room. Mostly, I knew all of them. I was getting used to having people in the house, and the little things didn’t seem to bother me as much.
The boys drank Hennessy, and I cracked a beer.
“This view sucks, Barrett,” Ari said, staring out toward the black, endless ocean. The sun had set, the moon had risen, and a yellow line reflected off of the ocean’s surface.
“Yeah, it does.” I elbowed him.
“So, to what do I owe this occasion, fellas? I feel like I’ve seen way too much of you guys lately.”
“I need to fuck and party, maybe not in that order,” Magnus said, downing his drink, then pouring another straight from the bottle.
“Your dick’s not going to work if you keep that up,” Connor said, tipping his head at his now refilled glass.
“You know it’s a Wednesday, right?” I inquired.
“It’s party night any night in the Hamptons, especially since my wife’s had another dick in her.” Magnus held up his glass in the center of our group.
“Agreed.” I toasted him.
“I’m with you, bud,” Connor said, toasting him before clinking glasses with me. Guilt washed over me.
“Let’s party,” Ari added.
We all took a sip of our drinks, then Connor turned to me and asked, “Where’s Lourde?”
“Beats me,” I said, taking the beer to my lips again.