Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
She jumps up and down excitedly, and I grab her to stop her. “One drink, Elana. This is not a date.”
With a big smile and eyes lit up in mischief, she nods. “A drink… I got it. We are going to have so much fun tonight, Mags. I just feel like something big is going to happen.”
I shake my head as we get onto the elevator because I know Elana, and most likely she’s right. If it’s up to her, something big will happen tonight. I just don’t know if I’m ready for it.
Ben
I pull at the collar of my shirt and then rotate my shoulders. Everything about tonight is uncomfortable. The dress pants, the buttoned-up shirt, the too-tight jacket that constricts every movement I try to make, and the mass of people that are milling around. I’ve been to this event every year for the last four years, and I’ve never seen a turnout like this one.
I make my way through the crowd, and my skin crawls because I can feel all eyes are on me. No doubt they are either wondering what the missing brother is doing here or they’re trying to figure out who the bearded mystery man is that obviously doesn’t fit in. I do my best to ignore it all and make my way to the bar. I’m sure that we have supplied the alcohol for tonight, and it’s tempting to order an Old Fashioned made with our Moonshine bourbon, but I plan on driving out of here tonight, and I know if I have one drink, my sister Elana will use that as an excuse to take my keys and try to keep me here. No thank you.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asks me.
“Just a water, please.”
His eyebrows lift in surprise, but he nods as he puts the glass under the spout and fills it. “Thanks,” I tell him as I gulp it down. I hate having my back to the crowd, but this is the best way to keep conversation limited.
I look at my watch and am counting down the time until I get to leave. I promised my sister I’d come, but as soon as I make an appearance and talk to Elana, I will be leaving.
I hear my brother before I see him. “Well, well, well. He does come off the mountain. What’s up, little brother?”
I grit my jaw and turn in my seat. I may be his younger brother, but I’m at least four inches taller and have a good thirty pounds on him. I stand up, wanting to tower over him. “What’s up, ‘little’ brother?”
He laughs, causing me to do the same. I don’t resist when he reaches for me, and I wrap him up in a bear hug, lifting him off his feet.
When I set him on the ground, he’s straightening his hair and then his tie. “Thanks for coming, Ben. It’s all Elana’s been talking about.”
I nod and sit back down in the chair. “Sure. I don’t think I can stay long but… I’m here.” I blow out a breath and clench my hands together to stop myself from pulling at my collar or removing my jacket altogether.
Edward crosses his arms over his chest. “So you can’t stay long? Something pressing up on the mountain you just have to get back to?”
I almost look at my watch. On the way here, I was thinking about how long it would be before Edward gave me shit about not coming off the mountain. Unable to resist, I glance at the time. “I’ve been here exactly four minutes, Edward. I think that’s a record for you busting my balls.”
He laughs heartily. “Some things never change, brother.”
I roll my eyes and stick my thumb over my shoulder. “Can I get you a drink?”
He comes to sit next to me. “Nope. I am planning to stay sober—until after my speech, at least. That is, unless you’d like to do the talking this year. I don’t mind at all.”
I sit with my arms over my chest and my back ramrod straight. “No thanks. Not interested.”
Edward shrugs. I’m sure he felt he had to give it a shot, but at least it doesn’t appear he had his hopes up that I’d be filling in for him or anything. “Admit it, you love this kind of thing.”
I gesture around the room, but my brother doesn’t look anywhere but at me. The only indication he’s listening to me is the slight tilt of his head. He opens his mouth and closes it again.
It’s tempting to walk out of here, but there’s a part of me that feels guilty, as if I’ve deserted my brother and sister to handle everything while I hide out on the mountain. “Spit it out. Go ahead and get it off your chest. I can handle it.”