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“I know it does. I’ll talk to Eve about it again.” He jerks his chin in the direction of the door. “Let’s go before I get in trouble tonight too. That’s the last thing I need on my wedding night.”
“It’s not your?—”
Phoenix shoots me a glare, and I hold up my hands again and leave the room.
I know they deserve this night, this celebration of their union after everything that happened at their first wedding. And I wish them nothing but the best. But I wasn’t kidding. Having Olivia around seriously fucks with my head. How am I supposed to avoid her when she and Evie hang out every chance they get? It’s pretty much impossible.
Phoenix catches up with me and swings his arm over my shoulders. “I can find someone else to drive her if it’s too much for you.”
“I can handle it.”
“Spoken like the true grump you turn into whenever she’s around.”
A grumbling sound reverberates through my chest. “It’s?—”
“Complicated. I know, I know.”
Phoenix claps me on the shoulder. It's harder than necessary, but I don’t blame him. At first, I thought it would get better with time, but it seems it’s only made things worse.
We pass the door to the large sunroom, where the hardcore partygoers remain. If it weren’t for Evie losing one of her earrings, I’d still be in there too.
Instead, I’m about to get into a car with the ghost of my past.
Evie and Olivia get there just as we do, and I open the garage door for them to walk through.
Evie heads toward the blacked-out armored SUV toward the end, and a burst of appreciation for my friend spreads through my chest.
No, we don’t see eye to eye when it comes to Olivia, but keeping her friend safe is still her priority number one, while she tries to do what she thinks is best for me. It’s not her fault she doesn’t know the whole story.
Evie helps Olivia into the passenger seat, and the two talk quietly before Evie hugs her friend once more and shuts the door. Irritation courses through me at the need to know what they were talking about.
I stand with Phoenix as Evie walks over to us.
She stares at me as if she’s trying to get a look inside my brain. She’s always trying to figure me out, always trying to help. That’s the only reason I’m usually able to keep my cool about her meddling. I know she means well.
“Please make sure she’s okay. I think this hit her a lot harder than she lets on.”
I nod. “I will, Princess. Promise.”
“Okay.” She leans against Phoenix’s side, who immediately wraps an arm around her. “Keep me updated?”
“You know it.” I spin my keys around my finger. “But don’t worry about her. She’ll be safe with me. You two should kick everyone out and call it a night though.”
Phoenix sighs. I know he’s had enough of the party. Neither of us has been keen on large crowds since our time in prison. And while Evie doesn’t understand that part of our lives, she isn’t a big party person either. None of us are anymore. Hell, Evie’s best friends, Mason and Ruby, already left several hours ago. At this point, I’m not even sure who’s still here.
Evie looks up at Phoenix. “I think Hold might be right. I’m good with calling it a night if you are.”
I clap Phoenix on the back and mouth, “You’re welcome,” before pressing a kiss to Evie’s temple. “Happy wedding re-do day, lovebirds. Enjoy your night without me.”
They both groan as I saunter off. I feel Olivia’s gaze on me as I walk around the front of the SUV and get into the driver’s seat.
We’re both silent as we wait for the garage door to open. I reverse out of it and head toward the edge of the property, where my security guards open the gate for me with a nod and a “Have a good night, boss.”
At a stop sign, I turn to Olivia. “To the hospital or your place?”
“My place.” She waits for a moment before she says, “Do you want me to enter the address into the GPS or give you dire?—”
“I know where you live, Hurricane.”