“Are you sure it’s not past its expiration date?” I teased. After all, she’d moved in four years ago.
She waved her hand. “It’s alcohol. It’ll be good anyway.”
Stepping in, I took a deep breath. “Thanks for making time for me.”
“That’s what family is for.” She held the bottle even higher, wiggling it a little. “Early dinner first or should we jump to Mr. Cuervo right away?”
“I had a late lunch.”
“Yeah, I’m not really hungry either.”
I sat on the couch in her living room, still feeling like shit. Ryker and Hunter arrived within minutes of each other. Ryker brought a wine bottle, Hunter champagne.
Tess sighed. “Thanks for the supplies, boys, but wine and champagne aren’t enough tonight. This is a job for tequila.”
They all stepped in the living room, zeroing in on me.
“What are we drinking to?” Ryker asked.
Hunter just observed me, narrowing his eyes. I was sitting on a corner of the couch. “I don’t think we’re here to celebrate. Is this a pity party?”
I groaned. “No.”
Tess gave me a small smile. “It kind of is, though. But don’t worry, I can make any kind of party fun.”
Turning to Hunter and Ryker, she pointed a finger at them.
“You’re not allowed to hassle him or prod him with questions,” my sister declared, voice stern.
Ryker laughed. “You mean to tell me you didn’t do that already?” A few seconds later, his smile faded. “Oh, shit, you didn’t.”
“Okay, clearly we’re out of our depths here. Tess, you’re running this show,” Hunter said.
My sister nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent plan.”
“We’re good drinking buddies though,” Ryker said. “So let’s start doing shots and not talk.”
One hour later...
“Well, shit, cousin. Wouldn’t want to be in your shoes,” Hunter said.
“I don’t want to be in my shoes either.”
Sometime between the third and the fourth shot, I had spilled my guts. To my dismay, they all started to give me advice.
I didn’t want advice. I just wanted to forget about it.
I turned to Tess. “Please make them stop.”
My sister jutted out her lower lip. “I don’t think I can. Lost my authority after the third Jose.”
“Look, man, having someone to share everything with... it’s life changing,” Ryker said.
“Definitely,” Hunter added.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Tess said loudly. “I think he knows all that. Don’t rub salt on wounds.”
Hunter nodded slowly. “Yeah, right. You’re right. I knew there was a reason I was appointing you captain of the ship.”