not sure about this wig and everything else. You both look stunning as always,” I compliment. They both smile, thank me, and reassure me that Chloe’s hard work is top-notch. The twins head to the kitchen to start pre-gaming. That’s the one good thing about Russian twins. Those bitches will drink everyone under the table quicker than you can say ‘vashe zrodye’. Cheers!
I strap my Chanel purse over my shoulder and join my cousins. Chloe comes up behind us and drops pink penis straws in each of our glasses then says, “They’re almost here. Morganna says the bus is luxe. She also said Maverick was having a heart attack as he watched it drive away with Windsor in it.” I laugh because I know how protective of her Maverick is. The fact that he’s followed her to New York is a testament to that. “They’re not staying with us at the hotel, though,” Chloe mutters.
Chloe tries to change the subject to music. She has enough nineties rap music loaded onto her phone to bring Tupac back to life. “Why? Where are they staying?”
“They’re not staying in the city, Lainey. They have a house in the Hamptons for the weekend. They’ll just have a driver take them there after we’re done smashing the town flat. Their husbands are staying there too.” I already know. I don’t have to ask, but I will anyways just to say his name out loud.
“Cody’s house.”
She nods.
“Of course. It’s a beautiful house.” It’s named after me. I’m jealous and it makes me crazy. Will Cody be there, too? Why do I care? Dax. You’re marrying Dax. I have to remind myself. I swallow the last of my wine without using the penis straw and hear the bus pull up in front of the house. Chloe’s mom has a very nice house in the suburbs. The walkway is manicured and lit beautifully. The twins hobble down the walk before me, and then Chloe, who has two roller suitcases and enough food and supplies for a week. You can never be too prepared, is what she says. Morganna bounds out of the bus, her heels higher than mine, and her dress just as short. Windsor is next. Her tanned legs appear as she carefully walks down the steps. Her long brown hair is styled in fifties waves, pinned in an updo, and her rich purple dress is also skintight. They both look flawless.
“Children did your bodies well, ladies. Thank you for coming!” I hug them both one at a time, getting annihilated by their expensive perfumes and hair spray.
“The wig. It’s fabulous,” Morganna says, nodding as she examines me with her sharp eyes. “I didn’t think we were going to get away from the hotel for a second. Her husband, bless him, didn’t want to let her leave. Wearing that.” Morganna nods behind her.
Windsor blushes and looks down bashfully. “He’s an animal. What can I say?” she says.
“The wig is something, huh? I’m channeling Windsor tonight. All brunette bombshell,” I say, flicking the long strands over my shoulder. It makes me feel different with darker hair. I kind of like it. Maybe in my new married life I’ll dye my white blonde hair dark for prosperity’s sake. Most women chop off their hair into the wife bob after the wedding. I’ll dye mine brown—transform into a new, here to stay, Lainey Redding.
Chloe bought the fake hair, but if everyone knew why I’m keeping it on, then it would be a different set of compliments coming. Blending in when people are following you is of top priority. “Stop it! You guys ready to go?” Win asks, adjusting her shoe.
I make introductions with my cousins and in no time everyone is sipping champagne and singing along to Chloe’s playlist while lounging in the back of this very plush vehicle. She really should get all the credit for music. Everyone knows all the words, embarrassingly enough. By the time we reach the edge of the city we’ve downed two bottles of champagne and talked about our favorite sexual positions. My cousins, while not married, seem to have all the experience. I guess twins really do everything together. Morganna is curious, Chloe is intrigued, and I’m a little grossed out.
“One decent guy is hard enough to find during a night out. Imagine trying to find two! We’ll share if we have to,” Oksana says, giggling when her sister playfully hits her arm.
“Ew,” I say. It comes out louder than I intend. “I