Thirty minutes later, after battling the city traffic, we were finally in the hotel.
“Holy shit, Hails, I can’t believe it. Would you check out this view? I can see the Empire State Building.” Flick’s voice held a tinge of wonder as she beckoned me to the floor-to-ceiling window in our accommodation for the night.
The penthouse suite overlooking Fifth Avenue was ridiculous. But Flick had insisted I room with Cameron, so I couldn’t complain too much. Jason and Asher were sharing the other double room—with two king beds—and Flick had happily taken the twin.
“New York,” she sighed dreamily. “I still can’t believe it. And,”—my best friend leaned in, whispering—“I heard Asher tell Jason his cousins are taking us to a club. A club, Hails. I’m so freaking excited.”
My brows pinched as I tried to share her enthusiasm. “A club? I’m not sure—”
“Oh no you don’t, Hailee Raine. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do you know how many kids from school would kill to be here right now? We are embracing this.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “It’s on your—”
“Ssh. Don’t let the guys hear. It’s bad enough Cameron overheard us before. I don’t want them thinking I’m...” Her voice trailed off as something caught her eye over my shoulder. I glanced back to find Jason and Asher watching us.
“Are you two going to stand there all fucking day or can we get out of here?”
“Can you at least try to be civil?” I asked Jason, but he merely grunted and went to the refrigerator.
“So, how are my two favorite ladies?” Asher approached us but I ducked before he could collar me. His arm went around Flick though. It was becoming quite the habit.
“This is so cool,” Flick beamed up at him. “I can’t believe your dad is letting us stay here.”
“Believe it, baby.” He grinned back. “But you ain’t seen nothing yet. My cousins know all the local hotspots.”
“Asher, I’m not sure—”
“Hails.” He levelled me a serious look. “One night. We have one night. Turn that frown upside down and get on the love train.”
“Love train, seriously?”
“It’s okay for you, you’ve got Chase to attend to… your needs.” His brows waggled. “The rest of us need to go hunting.”
“Asher.” Flick elbowed him in the ribs. “That’s gross.”
“Naw, baby. It’s simple biology. Unless you’re—”
“Is he bothering you?” Cameron came up behind me, looping his arm around me and pulling me back against his chest.
“Who, me?” Asher feigned surprise.
“What time is the exhibition?” Cameron brushed his lips over my ear.
“Not until two.”
“So, we have some time to explore?”
“Yes, yes we do.” Flick ducked out of Asher’s hold and grabbed his arm. “We should go. I want to see everything.”
“Of course you do,” Asher grumbled, trailing after her like a lap dog.
“This should be interesting,” I said as we followed them.
Me and Flick with my boyfriend, step-brother, and their best friend.
What could possibly go wrong?
“So, did you like it?” I asked Flick as we exited The Met. We’d cut the guys loose despite Cameron insisting he wanted to come. It was his trip too, and I didn’t want to monopolize all of his time. Besides, I knew if Cameron came, Asher would want to come, and there was no way I wanted him making a scene in one of the most prestigious museums in the country.
“I...” She hesitated. “You like it and that’s what’s important. And at least I can say I visited The Met now.”
“It was just so... inspiring. Her work is really something.”
“And I’d love to hear all about it sometime but,”—she pointed at the guys standing at the bottom of the steps—“Who the hell is that?”
Jason was talking to a girl, a very well dressed, very beautiful girl.
“I guess it’s Asher’s cousin.”
“He didn’t say she looked like a super model.” Flick grabbed my arm, pulling me toward them.
“I’m sure she’s nice, despite being related to Asher.”
“Hails, he's not that bad.”
“But he’s not boyfriend material either, right?”
She rolled her lips together.
“Flick?” I asked her again.
“I told you already, not interested. But it doesn’t hurt to have a little fun.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure Asher is the kind of guy you—”
“Fee get over here. I want to introduce you to Vaughn and Riley.”
“Come on, Hails. He wants to introduce us to his cousins.” She flashed me a playful grin, bouncing down the last few steps and sidling up to Asher as if they were the best of friends.
And it occurred to me, maybe that’s where this strange thing they had going on was headed.
“Fee, Hails, this is my cousin Riley and his sister Vaughn.”
“Hey,” the guy said, his eyes running over Flick and then me. Cameron moved closer, whispering how much he’d missed me in my ear. Riley smirked. “She yours?”
“Actually, he’s mine,” I said, clasping Cameron’s hand in mine.
“Noted.” Riley’s smirk morphed into an easy smile. “And you?” He flicked his head to Flick who blushed deeply.
“Me? I’m, uh, I’m very much... single,” she croaked out.
“But you’ll be keeping your dirty paws off her.” Asher threw his arm around Riley and pulled him away.
“If I didn’t know better,” Vaughn said as she took off after them. “I’d say my cousin has a crush.”
“Hey, man, you okay?” Cameron asked Jason who was rooted to the spot, watching Vaughn’s retreating form.
“What? Yeah, I’m good.” He glared at Flick. “You know she’s joking, right? Ash doesn’t want you. He just likes playing with you.”
“I...” She snapped her mouth shut, embarrassment burning her cheeks.
“Jason don’t be such a dick,” I scolded.
“Yeah, man, come on. We only have one night,” Cameron added. “Let’s try to all get along.”
“Whatever,” he grumbled before stalking off after Asher and his cousins.
“Are you okay?” I asked Flick.
“Please, I’m fine.” She smiled but it was forced. “Come on, we should keep up with them.” Flick brushed past us and hurried after them.
“That was... weird.”
“Don’t worry about Jase,” Cameron said, “He’s just pissed his best friend is shacking up with his sister.”
“You make it sound so romantic.” I leaned up, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“Later,” Cameron breathed. “Later, I’m going to kiss every single inch of you.”
“Is that a promise?” My fingers twisted into his sweater, and he smiled.
“It is.”