Go Away, Darling - Alexis Anne Page 0,58

to work out. “So...Jack’s brother is one of Chris’s teammates…” Erik and I had a chance to chat about Jack and Berlin on several occasions. Jack was torn up over their divorce and I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing or not by telling Berlin.

But I did it anyway.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “It’s hard to miss Erik Cassidy in the news. If there’s anything I regret losing in the divorce, it’s Erik. He was always so good to me.”

“He comes down to fish with Chris sometimes. Maybe I can arrange a lunch or something the next time you're both in town? Zoe is amazing.”

Berlin smiled. “I might stalk Zoe Hyde’s Instagram account. They seem really, really happy together.”

I tossed some bread at her. “Get real. You stalk Wes Allen’s Instagram account.” Wes was Erik’s best friend and he frequently posted shirtless videos and pictures. Wes Allen’s account was a delight to follow for women everywhere.

“Everyone stalks Wes Allen’s account. But when I saw Erik got together with Zoe I was curious. I follow her now too.”

Annabella dropped off our food and scurried away without a word. I dug into my food and let the subject drop for a few minutes. So I was surprised when Berlin did the questioning.

“So...how is...he?”

“Jack’s good. Healthy but sad, according to Erik. He’s...different.”

Berlin’s eyebrow shot up. “Different how? He bosses around a new woman every day or just every week?”

I winced. Her pain was so valid. “Erik thinks Jack was a selfish jerkoff, but because he didn’t know he was an asshole until you left him, he’s had an awakening. Apparently he’s no longer selfish or a jerkoff.”

“According to his little brother.” Berlin shook it off. “Well I’m happy for whatever woman reaps the benefits and I’m glad I’m no longer stuck with a selfish prick in my life. Ryker may be boring but he’s kind and he cares about me.” She dug back into her food.

I let the entire subject drop. I finished my food and pushed the plate away. “So what’s the latest on London and Ben?” The last I heard there were sleepovers taking place at Chris’s house, which seemed like very good news for everyone on Couple Watch.

Seriously, there was a whole island dating pool going. I’m ashamed (I’m not ashamed) to say I had a bet in and my day was fast approaching. So them getting together was kind of critical.

Berlin didn’t meet my gaze as she shrugged, but the pink on her cheeks told me something big was coming. Whenever Berlin tried to lie she blushed. “Well, all I can say is there is a plan that may or may not involve all the Kaine brothers, so you might want to ask your future husband for details instead of me.”

My future husband. “I think Linc is putting the cart before the horse. Maybe we should just date for a little while. Like normal people.”

But Berlin scoffed. “Normal is boring. Don’t be boring, Olivia. It doesn’t suit you.”

19

Let gravity, Newton’s first, second, and third laws, and fate take over

Chris

I bent down to Linc who cupped his mouth and whispered in my ear. “I laid the groundwork. It’s all up to you now.”

I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing. It was the way he said it. All serious and spy-like. I schooled my features. “What exactly did you do?” I pictured him gushing about how awesome I was.

That was not what happened.

“I said I needed a brother or sister and that you should get married to make that happen.”

I blinked in surprise. “You have no subtlety in you.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You’re blunt. Straight to the point. Brutally honest.”

Linc frowned. “I’ve waited long enough. No more games. Ask mom to marry you already.”

I could only imagine Liv’s response if I walked across the yard and proposed marriage. She’d kick me out or die laughing. As much as I wanted Linc’s plan to work, I had serious doubts.

“How about we put your skills to good use helping me first.”

Linc shrugged. “Okay. What do you need me to do?”

I pressed my finger to my mouth in the universal sign of silence and then waved him into the kitchen behind me. Scott was in his room taking a nap like usual, so we needed to be quiet and quick before Ben got back. We crept over to the butler pantry and in the back of an unused cabinet stood the secret bag of sunflower seeds I’d been accumulating for the last two