When I step in the elevator, I see Noah and Cait. Noah grins and an image of me telling him I’m a virgin replays in my mind.
“Do not breathe a word about last night.” I lift a hand to stop him before he can speak because he looks like he is on the verge of a major case of verbal diarrhea. Which will probably include a million questions about how I can possibly find myself in the predicament I’m in when I have girls falling at my feet back home.
“Damn, Russo,” Noah laughs.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Cait asks, looking between us.
“Alexander, shut up.”
Cait watches me carefully. “How’s the girl? Her name was Lili, right?”
“Her name is Lili,” I confirm. “I’m going to the lobby to get her some coffee.”
“Bruh,” Noah says, reaching out his hand to high-five me.
I shake my head. “We aren’t going there. Whatever I told you last night… forget about it.”
The elevator reaches the lobby, and we all walk out. “Cait, give us a sec,” Noah says to her.
She shrugs, looks between us, and walks off.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I say curtly. “And do not say anything to anyone. Especially not my brother.” I raise a pointed finger in Noah’s face. I don’t mean to be so defensive, but this is a sore issue. My reasons for abstinence are personal and not something I like to share.
“Would you chill the heck out?” Noah says. “Damn, we’re friends. I just want to help you out.”
“Laughing at my situation isn’t helpful. I was drunk last night and I wouldn’t have said what I did, had I not been that intoxicated.”
“You need to chill out, Russo.”
“Tell me about it.” I blow out a long breath, feeling like I’m all wound up.
“Relax, your little secret is safe with me, but just a small piece of advice. . . have sex. It will be good for you.” He gives my shoulder a squeeze and walks off. I head to the gift shop to buy some acetaminophen and then head to the coffee shop where I buy three large coffees.
I bump into my brother in the lobby. “Hey, Bro, fun times last night.”
“It was fun,” I agree.
“So, you and that girl. . .” He trails off.
I lift the coffees in the air. “These are for her and her sister. I’m hoping to spend some time with her today.”
Declan nods. We never really spoke about girls or our shitty home situation. Given our age difference, the only time Declan confided in me was when he came home his senior year of college when he worried, he lost Poppy after Ryse found out they were dating behind his back. Other than that moment, our relationship was about survival and hockey.
“Nice. You know if you want to invite them to the wedding tomorrow, you can,” he offers.
“Thanks, Dec. I appreciate that. She isn’t looking for anything serious though,” I say.
“Cool,” he replies, and then he seems distracted.
“Dec?” I ask because he just got very spacey.
He blinks. “Sorry. Mom just walked through the entrance to the hotel.”
“Holy shit.” I swivel my head to see her in a mini skirt and cropped top, rolling an old suitcase behind her. At least she isn’t smoking. I’m pretty sure the hotel is a smoke-free environment.
“Go ahead,” he says to me. “I’ll take care of her.”
“You sure? I can come with you,” I offer.
“Those coffees will get cold. Go to the girl. I got Mom,” he says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. I’m glad she decided to show for his sake, even though her flight was supposed to arrive yesterday. She must have made a change to the ticket.
I pass Rebel and Blossom in the lobby, playing with their babies, while sitting beside the waterfall. I give them a nod since my hands are full and head back up to the fourth floor.
I would check the time but I’m pretty sure it’s past nine o’clock now. When I arrive at my floor, I head to Lili’s room and knock. Her sister answers the door in a pair of shorts and a tank top.
“Hey, Lili’s still asleep. Busy night you two had.” She bobs her head.
“I brought you both coffee,” I say, extending two of the cups to her since holding three is a nuisance.
Alessa relieves me of two cups, and I reach into my pocket to give her the milks and sugar packs I grabbed.
“That was really nice of you,” she says. She places the coffees on a small kitchenette counter by the door. “I don’t think my sister is getting up any time soon though.”
“If I was able to get up, then she can,” I tease. “Do you mind if I come in?”
Alessa laughs. “Enter at your own risk.” She takes a step away from the door.
“Lili, I brought you coffee,” I coax.
“Go away. I’m tired and my head hurts,” she complains.
“I have acetaminophen and caffeine, now get your cute butt out of bed,” I say, surprising even myself. I’ve never done this before . . . hooked up, flirting, chasing.
She groans and sits up. Her hair is askew and black makeup covers her eyes, making her look a little crazy, but she’s still beautiful. I want to kiss the hell out of those lips.
“Acetaminophen first,” I say, and I take it out of my shorts pocket.
Alessa produces a water bottle. “Drink this down with it.”
Lili takes the pills and the bottle. She swallows the pills with water and gulps the entire bottle.
Alessa passes her the cup of coffee I brought, which now has the right amount of milk and sugar. “Thanks, you’re a saint,” she praises, and she tips the coffee down her throat and groans.
“You ready for our hike?” I ask.
“Are you batshit crazy? You said breakfast,” she replies, and I like the fire in her.
I chuckle. “Breakfast then Diamond Head,” I counter like this is a negotiation.
“Grrr,” she says, and she drinks more coffee.
“I can join you for breakfast. I’m starved,” Alessa says. “Then you can do Diamond Head and I can get some work done on the beach.” She winks to Lili, and I feel like there may be an underlying meaning to her gesture.
“Fine,” Lili groans. “I’ll meet you downstairs in twenty. I need a shower.”
“Of course. I’ll go to the restaurant and grab us a table.”
I leave the girls and head back downstairs. When I reach the restaurant, the whole wedding entourage is in line waiting to be seated, including my mother. Just great.
Rebel asks the hostess for a table of eighteen with two highchairs, but I tell her to add another two. She gives me a weird look.
“I met someone on the trip,” I explain.
“Good for you.” She smiles.
“But why two extra seats then?” she asks.
“Her sister is joining us too.”
We all head out to a shaded area of the restaurant that is facing the ocean. When all my friends are seated, I say, “Guys, can I get your attention for a second?”
Everyone looks my way and I nervously shift in my seat. “I invited a girl to join us at breakfast, but she doesn’t want to know any personal details about me that would allow her to find me later. So if you can keep where we live and what you do on the down low, it would be very much appreciated,” I explain, feeling awkward about the situation. I mean, they are my good friends so they must know I’m not a player, but still. . .