Page 42 of The Triple Threat

Ellie had tears edging at the corners of her eyes as she continued to laugh and held her stomach. To add insult to injury, both my aunts joined in with her.

“It was Sondra’s uncle’s name. He left her quite a sum of money, on provision she promised to name her first child after him,” Auntie L explained with a giggle.

Auntie J looked at me with a huge grin. “She didn’t really want you to have it, but it had been his last will and testament, so she had no choice really.”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” I said, flashing narrow eyes at Ellie who was still braying like a fucking donkey. “Mom told me the story many times.” Usually when she was a little tipsy and apologizing profusely for landing me with such a shit name.

“Oh my God, Hunter,” Ellie sighed, her laughter finally dying down. “That’s the funniest thing I ever did hear.”

“Well, never mind that,” Auntie J said, laying a hand on Ellie’s arm. “Why don’t you tell us how he upset you.”

Ellie shook her head. “Oh no, it’s fine Auntie J. It was nothing and I’m sure he’s sorry. Aren’t you, Hunter?”

Her words were pointed as she raised both her brows, almost to her hairline.

“I’m sorry,” I breathed out. “And I promise to be a gentleman in the future.”

I couldn’t be bothered with arguing with her about it. Anyway, she was right, I had been a bit of dick.

Auntie J smiled. “That’s good, so how about you apologize properly by taking Ellie to the singles night on Friday.”

Ellie giggled nervously. “That’s okay. It’s fine.”

“You don’t really take someone to a singles night, Auntie J.”

“Only if it’s a date you don’t,” she replied, her lips twitching as she tried to hold back a smile. “It’s not a date, is it?”

“No, she hasn’t even said yes.” I pushed the cart away from them. “Anyway, come on, you still have a whole list of stuff you need to get.”

“She hasn’t said yes, yet. Ooh, Janice-Ann, do you think that means they’re going to the singles night together.”

“Now, Lynn-Ann, don’t put the cart before the horse. Hunter hasn’t asked Ellie yet.”

“I wasn’t going to,” I declared.

“Why?” Ellie asked. “What’s wrong with taking me to singles night? It’s not like it’d be a date Hunter… Meredith.”

My nostrils flared as I looked at her. She was sucking on her bottom lip and one hip was cocked out. She had the same fire in her eyes as a wild mountain horse and I wondered how the fuck I’d never seen her before. I mean I’d known she was hot, but I’d never really seen her. Yet for the past couple of weeks, she’d been all I could fucking see, especially when I was jacking off.

“It wouldn’t be a date,” I stated.

“I wouldn’t want a date with you.” Ellie screwed up her nose and looked like she could smell shit.

“It’ll be great,” Auntie J said. “You’ll be there, so will we and then there’s Bronte.”

“Bronte’s going?” Ellie exclaimed.

“Yes,” Auntie J replied. “I spoke to her this morning. I booked in for us to have our nails done, so they look nice for Friday night.”

“Don’t forget Jefferson.” Auntie L beamed at us. “All there together, just like Janice-Ann said, so much fun.”

“You’re going.” I almost choked on the gasp of air I took in. “You can’t. It’s singles night.”

“Well, we’re single,” Auntie L said with a defiant tilt of her chin. “So, why shouldn’t we?”

I raised my palms to the ceiling. “Because… well because…”

“Your Pop is going?” Ellie muttered, looking like her eyes might burst out of her head. “And Bronte.”