Meant To Be (The Callahans #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,36

back?” I ask, holding it out to her.

She lets go of my hand and takes it, twisting her hair into this messy, sloppy ass bun that sticks out everywhere. “How do I look?”

“Fucking magical.” She could be wearing a paper sack and look like hell and I’d still say that.

Ava grins. “Let’s go. I can hear your friend playing his guitar.”

We walk down the steps together, side by side, our strides in sync. Once we hit the ground, I take her hand again, lacing our fingers and leading her toward the circle of people around the fire. It’s still crackling, though the flames aren’t as high, and we stand on the fringe, Ava leaning over to whisper something in my ear. I bend my knees a little so she can reach it.

“Ellie is sitting right next to him!” she whisper-squeals like girls do, her tone downright giddy.

I check out Jackson to see that yep, Ava’s best friend is sitting beside him, snuggled up to his side. He’s strumming his guitar, but he’s not playing a song. He’s talking to her. I can see his lips move, and her lips move in response. They’re having a total conversation while he’s surrounded by at least fifty other girls, all of them ready to cream their panties over his next tune.

And he’s not paying attention to any of them. Just Ellie.

“Is he a good guy? Your friend?” Ava asks me.

I contemplate her question. “He’s a good friend. Not sure how he is as a date. Or a boyfriend.” Bitter about women that’s for sure. Should I tell Ava that? “I think he’s been burned in the past.”

There. That sounds better.

“Ah, he’s wounded.” She nudges my side. “Kind of like you.”

I rest my free hand over my chest, pretending to take offense. “You think I’m wounded?”

“Definitely,” she says with a knowing smile. “But that’s okay. You’re wounded. You’re confident. You’re sweet. You’re dirty. You’re even a little mean sometimes. I like all the many sides of you.”

Aw damn. She goes and says something like that, and I gotta do something in response. I pull her in close, so she’s standing directly in front of me, and I wrap my arms around her middle, giving her a squeeze as I rest my chin on her shoulder. She angles her face toward mine, and it would take nothing for me to lean in and kiss her.

But I don’t. Let’s keep everyone guessing, though if they’re watching closely enough, they’ll have us all figured out.

“You think I’m dirty?” I ask her, making her laugh.

I missed that sound. It’s light and airy and it makes my heart feel light and airy too. Like I’m going to be all right.

“I say all those things, and that’s what sticks with you.” She shakes her head, her crazy bun hair brushing against my cheek. “Figures.”

“At least I’m consistent.”

“You are so consistent.” A content sigh escapes her and I nuzzle my face against hers, happy as fuck to have this girl in my arms, in front of my friends.

“Yo, Bennett.”

Speaking of friends…

I turn to see Brenden standing next to us, Kayla by his side. She’s taking me and Ava in, her eyes wide with shock and disgust, her big, bitchy mouth falling open. God, I hate her. Though even Brenden looks surprised when he sees who I’m with.

“What do you want?” I ask him, feeling like a dick, but not really caring. He was supposed to break up with that chick a week ago, and he still hasn’t done it. I assume because she’s keeping his ass happy, giving him blow jobs and letting him do her. Considering she lies there and takes it like a dead fish, Brenden has to know there are better prospects out there.

“Nothing, man. Haven’t really seen you all night,” Brenden says.

“Probably because you’ve been sneaking around, letting your girlfriend suck you off,” I say irritably.

“Eli,” Ava chastises, making me feel like shit. She pulls out of my grip and takes a step toward Brenden with a friendly smile. “Hi. I’m Ava.”

“Brenden,” my friend mumbles, shaking her offered hand.

I can’t help but feel proud. Look at my girl, taking the initiative and introducing herself to my friends.

“Oh, you’re Eli’s best friend. It’s so good to meet you. He’s told me a lot about you,” she says, sounding warm and friendly.

“Nice to meet you too.” Kayla clears her throat and Brenden stands at attention, grabbing her hand and acting as if he likes her or some shit. “This