Continuation 4

Ainsley's blue eyes find mine. I haven't firmed up any plans for the party. I know I should bring someone, but the only person I want to take is staring at me, and I can't ask her. Still, I can't bring myself to play with her that way. "Going solo," I say.

"Everyone lock up the bridesmaids," Brody says, walking in and tossing his arm around Skye's shoulder.

"I'm a bridesmaid," Ainsley says, halting Brody's laughter.

He tips her nose with his finger, like he used to when she was younger. "Everyone knows not to mess with my sister." Where's my phone? What's the name of that new dating app? I'm sure I can find a twenty-something year old guy to hook up with on there," Ainsley says.

Skye busts into a huge laugh. Brody looks at me, frowning. "It was easier when she was sixteen," Brody says then turns to his sister. "I'm going to do better about smothering you."

What the fuck! I can hardly believe what I'm hearing. He chooses now to stop acting like his sister's personal bouncer? I nudge Brody. "You really gonna let her swipe right?"

"Hell, no," Brody says, giving his sister a look. "I have my limits."

Ainsley looks like she's about to knee him in the groin. Right as she opens her mouth, Skye interrupts her. "So no plus one for you either, Ainsley?"

Her question is met with silence. Ainsley's eyes look everywhere but at me, like she's searching for the truth.

"Maybe Rhett should bring Ainsley?" my dad suggests, cutting the silence with a knife.

Ainsley's and my eyes both dart to him. What the hell? My mom kicks his leg a little.

Brody looks like one confused motherfucker right now. "Um . . ."

Trying to salvage things, my dad offers, "I'm just saying, it might help keep Ainsley from getting hit on all night."

Brody laughs. "That's not a bad idea. Rhett?"

Before I can answer, Ainsley bites out, "I have a date!"

"Who?" I ask, my voice sounding more than a little pissed.

"Why didn't you say?" Brody asks Ainsley.

"I can't deal with this," she says, waving her hands around then storming out.

Brody looks at Skye then me and my parents, asking, "Did I overdo it again?"

We all nod in unison. Brody starts to follow his sister, "I better go smooth things over."

"Give her some space," Skye says.

"Why don't you and Skye go out to the yard?" my mom says to Brody. "Get some fresh air."

The house sits on Charleston Harbor. Even though we're barely out of the city limits, it feels like a vacation spot. It's a daily occurrence to see boats passing by, enjoying the fishing, but it's the sunsets that make this spot special. My mom says that God is an artist, and Charleston sunsets are his canvas, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange. But I always liked the thunderstorms out here the best.