“I can see that.” I laugh. Clayton holds his hand out for a fist bump, and I meet him over the table. Our friends, Brett, and Jacob are also here. I do the same with them before stopping behind Raven, who just so happens to be sitting next to Riley. I bend down and kiss Raven’s cheek. On impulse, I do the same to Riley. Her intake of breath has me feeling ten fucking feet tall. I wave to April and Darcey but stay where I’m standing behind Raven and Riley.
“What are you drinking?” Clayton asks as he starts to stand.
I hold my hand up to stop him. “I’m good for now.” I notice Raven and Riley are drinking and want to make sure they each make it home okay. Sure, they both live here in town, but I feel protective of them. Raven because she’s been my best friend since I was five years old, and Riley, well, she’s been mine in my mind since I was a teenager.
“Sit.” Clayton points at the open seat next to Riley.
I bite down on my cheek to keep from smiling. We’ve all hung out in a group together more times than I can count. It’s not often that I get to be next to her. This time, the odds are in my favor as I pull out the chair beside hers. I lean into her with the ruse of looking around her to see Clayton, but really, I just want to be close to her in any way that I can. It’s a dangerous game, one that I play often, but I can usually control myself. Something in my gut tells me that I need to keep myself in check tonight. I’m still too open, too raw from our interaction earlier today.
“You getting excited?” I ask my other best friend. Clayton and Raven have shared that title since we were kids. I’m glad we all get along so well. It could have been a disaster otherwise. In fact, I think my two besties have a thing for each other. Clayton was digging her back in high school, but nothing ever came of it.
“I am. It’s going to be hard to be gone from everyone for so long, but it feels right at the same time.”
“How long will you be gone?” Riley asks.
I notice that she reaches under the table and grabs Raven’s hand. Yeah, definitely something brewing between Raven and Clayton.
“I signed up for two years.”
“And it’s an agricultural mission?” April inquires.
“Yeah. We’re going to help with the structure of rooftop gardens in Guatemala. Their land leasing is different, and apparently, rooftop farming is the way to go.” Clayton shrugs as if he’s not sure, but he’s signed up to go on the mission anyway.
“That’s a long time to be away,” Raven speaks up.
Clayton’s eyes find hers, and something passes between them that I can’t name. “It is, but they need the help, and I can offer it. I want to go now before I have a family of my own that I’m not willing to leave behind.”
Raven nods and swallows hard. “That makes sense.” She averts her gaze to Darcey, who is sitting on the other side of the table. “How was your date last night?” she inquires.
Just like that, women at the table hone in on Darcey, and her date, while the guys half listen and bullshit about our weeks.
“Anyone need a refill?” Riley asks. She pushes back in her chair and stands.
I want to tell her to sit and that I’ll get her whatever she needs, but that’s not who we are. Maybe in my mind, but the reality is that she’s not mine.
“Me.” Raven shakes her empty beer bottle.
Riley asks everyone else at the table and takes note of who needs another beer. She goes around the table, and then her eyes land on me.
“Hudson?”
“I’m good, but I’ll go with you to help you carry them.” I push back from my chair and stand.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll have Roger give me a bucket.”
“I need to stretch my legs anyway.” I don’t, but I want to be next to her, so that’s the story I’m sticking with. She shrugs and turns to walk away. I catch up with her easily and place my hand on the small of her back, leading her through the crowd. Once we make it to the bar, I know I should drop my hand, but I can’t seem to do it. Our friends could be watching us, and I should care, but I don’t.
“Hi, I need eight bottles and one water.” She looks over at me and smiles, and my heart trips over in my chest.
I lean down and place my lips next to her ear so that she can hear me in this crowd. “Thank you.” My voice is husky even to my own ears. Her emerald eyes smile up at me, and the urge to kiss her is so strong, I have to force myself to look away.