When AJ first told her about the plan to use Kelli as her escape for the day, he’d explained how he’d originally had his reservations about Kelli even knowing about the relationship. Then he’d gone on to explain, almost annoyed, that Nathan had confessed to accidently spilling the beans. “The only good thing about it,” he’d told her with an evil grin, “is I’m done being discreet, at least around my family and friends.”
The man wasn’t kidding either. The entire time they were at the restaurant his hands were on her—holding her hand, rubbing her thighs, shoulders, or neck—and his lips never stopped kissing or pecking for too long. Isaiah even teased AJ that he’d hardly touched any of the appetizers because his lips were too busy on Addison.
“Don’t hate just ’cause you’re solo today, Sai,” AJ had retorted with a smirk. “Why didn’t you bring Lola?”
Isaiah immediately rolled his eyes and returned the smirk. “’Cause I didn’t even know I was coming this weekend until someone traded shifts with me at the last minute.”
“I hope I didn’t interrupt your brother-bonding weekend,” Kelli said, sipping her cocktail.
Isaiah shook his head, taking a long swig of his drink. “Nope,” he said without turning to her then stood up. “I spend enough time with this guy at home.”
“Where you going? Nathan asked.
“The bathroom.” Isaiah pushed his chair back.
“It’s downstairs,” AJ informed him.
“Really? They don’t have one up here?”
“Nope,” AJ said with a frown. “I know. Kind of stupid.”
“I better go too,” Kelli said, grabbing her purse and standing up.
Addison thought about it. She didn’t have to go too badly, but since it was downstairs, she’d prefer to go with Kelli than alone later. “I’ll go too,” Addison said, pushing her seat back.
Kelli turned to look at Addison then smiled, glancing back at Nathan as they all walked out quietly.
“Is Lola your girlfriend?” Kelli asked Isaiah as all three made their way down the stairs.
Addison turned to Isaiah curiously. AJ had never mentioned a Lola to her, and Isaiah had been solo at the gathering at their house too.
“Nope,” Isaiah said, clearing his throat. “Her name just happened to come up not long ago. I’m sure the only reason he even remembers it is because he ribbed me enough about her name.”
They were quiet the rest of the way as they made their way to the back of the restaurant where the single restrooms were. Addison let Kelli go first since she didn’t have to go that badly. AJ’s equally handsome brother exited the men’s room before Kelli was out and smiled at Addison.
“I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but there’s no way your parents and Clair don’t know about you and AJ.”
Isaiah’s comment made Addison’s eyes widen. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s so ridiculously obvious how crazy he is about you.”
She smiled timidly, feeling her face warm, and her heart practically skipped a beat. “Oh, he’s nothing like that in front of them. There’s absolutely no kissing or even touching.”
“I’m not just talking about the physical contact.” Isaiah laughed. “It’s that goofy expression on his face the whole time he’s around you. Hell, he wore it even before you got here when he told Nate and me more about you and Clair.” He shook his head with a smile as perfect at AJ’s and Nathan’s. “I’ve never seen him like this. The guy’s got it bad.”
Thankfully, Kelli walked out of the ladies’ room just then because Isaiah’s comments, while exciting, were embarrassing her, and she had no idea how to respond to his last one. “All yours,” Kelli said, pointing at the restroom door.
“I won’t be long,” she said, deciding to take the cowardly way and not respond at all.
Knowing she had them waiting on her, Addison tried to be quick about it. But, of course, in her haste as she washed her hands, she splashed water all over the front of her blouse and ended up having to dry it on the hand dryer, making her stay in there much longer than she’d hoped. To her surprise, they weren’t outside waiting when she finally made it out. How embarrassing! Had she really taken so long they got tired of waiting? She glanced around in both directions of the small hallway the restrooms were in. One side of the darkened hallway led into the back where she assumed the unmarked doors were for employees only. The other direction led back into the restaurant.
Unsure if she should wait, she peeked out into the restaurant and glanced around and up at the staircase that led to their private patio, hoping to at least spot them going up.
“Hmm.” She craned her neck to check the bar area.
Maybe they’d decided to grab another drink while they waited for her? She strolled over to the bar area to double-check. Nothing. Dumbfounded, she headed back to the restroom area to see if, by chance, they’d gone back to search for her. She was still hopeful that they hadn’t gone back to the patio and announced to AJ and Nathan that she’d taken so long they left her behind. But they weren’t there either, so she headed back up to the patio.
Pleasantly surprised but at the same time feeling bad when she reached the patio because they weren’t there either, she stopped. She hesitated to walk all the way in when she realized they were obviously still downstairs.
“Where’s Kelli and Sai?” AJ asked.
Nathan, who’d been looking down at his phone, glanced up now too, looking as curious as AJ.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, walking back out and checking the stairwell again. “They were gone when I got out of the restroom. I checked the bar area, but they weren’t there either, so I just assumed they’d come back up.”
Nathan’s brows furrowed. “That’s weird.” He turned to AJ, already tapping at his phone screen. “Does this place have another area they might’ve gone to check out?”
“Not that I know of,” AJ said, reaching for Addison’s hand as she sat down next to him.
“I hope they’re not looking for me,” Addison said, feeling apprehensive.
“Nah.” AJ pecked her. “And if they are, like you did, they’ll figure it out soon enough and head back up.”
Nathan sent what Addison assumed was a text. He picked his phone right up again and sent another, only Isaiah’s phone went off at the table where he’d left it.
Nathan cursed under his breath when he realized Isaiah didn’t even have his phone on him. About ten minutes later and still no response to Nathan’s text, AJ’s brother was on his feet. “I’m gonna go look for them,” he said, sounding almost annoyed.
“Relax,” AJ said. “They’re probably already on their way up.”
“Yeah, like you’d relax,” Nathan said as he rushed around the table.
AJ turned to Addison with a smirk. “Yeah, he has me there.”
Isaiah walked in just before Nathan reached the door leading back into their private patio. When Kelli didn’t enter behind him, Nathan asked the very thing she knew they were all wondering. “Where’s Kelli?”
“She left,” Isaiah said then explained quickly. “She said to tell you she’d explain later but to say she was sorry she had to leave so unexpectedly.” Before Nathan could interrupt, like he looked ready to, Isaiah lifted his hand. “She got a phone call while we were waiting for Addison. When she got upset, I walked out back with her into the parking lot. All she said as she rushed to the valet was that her mom had been in an accident.”
“Her mom?” Nathan asked with his phone already at his ear. “Her mom’s dead.”
Isaiah’s face nearly blanched, and he appeared as flabbergasted as Addison was sure the rest of them were feeling. “I don’t know, man. Stepmom maybe?”
“That’s weird,” Nathan said. “Her dad has a new girlfriend every few months. From what she’s told me, she’s hated every single one of them. And she was upset?”