Beautiful Burn (The Maddox Brothers, #4)(86)

Just as Tyler moved to introduce us, the crowd parted and Paige appeared, looking nervous but hopeful. Her hair was silver now, in a freshly trimmed pompadour. She had more tattoos and piercings than I remembered, the sweet innocence long gone from her eyes. She handed me a beer in a red Solo cup, tapping hers to mine.

“It’s been a long time,” she said.

“How’ve you been?” I asked.

“Shitty. How have you been?”

“Still a drunk,” I said, taking a big gulp. “But the Internet says I’m a functioning drunk, so I’ve got that going for me.”

She shook her head and smiled. “Always so funny.”

Tyler kissed my cheek. “I don’t mean to be rude, baby, but Taylor’s…”

“Baby?” Paige said, tucking her chin. “What are you? A couple now?”

I cocked my head, surprised at the sass coming from such a tiny package. “Actually, we are,” I said.

Paige choked out a laugh, and then continued to giggle, covering her mouth and then waving her hand in front of her face.

Tyler and I traded glances, and then he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I didn’t invite her. I guess she lives in this building now.”

“Oh,” I said, nodding with wide eyes. “Great.” I downed my drink, and then Paige took it, reaching behind her and then producing another.

“Baby,” Tyler warned. “There’s a fine line between functioning and just drunk.”

“It’s New Year’s Eve,” Paige said. “What is your problem?”

The door opened, and Finley walked in, staring wide-eyed, fascinated with all the bodies in the tiny space. I took another drink, tossing back half the glass before I saw Sterling step inside, too.

I choked, and Tyler patted my back while I swallowed the contents still in my mouth and then coughed.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph f*cking Stalin,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

Finley waved emphatically and then pulled Sterling through the crowd. He looked as sick about the impending disaster as I was.

“What do I do? What do I do?” I said, panicking.

“Keep me from killing Sterling?” Tyler said. “That should keep your mind off Finley.”

I looked up at him, watching him glower at Finley’s date. I gulped down the rest of the beer Paige had brought me and handed my cup to Tyler. No amount of alcohol was going to get me through the next few minutes.

“Ellie!” Finley said, throwing her arms around me.

“Fin … you’ve been drinking,” I said, making great effort not to make eye contact with Sterling.

“A bit of celebratory champagne,” she said, holding out her left hand. A large diamond sparkled on her ring finger.

I grabbed her fingers and pulled them closer, and then I narrowed my eyes at Sterling. He shook his head, begging me not to make a scene.

“We’re getting married!” Finley squealed.

“I don’t understand,” I said. “You’re not even dating? You haven’t since college.”

Finley’s smile faded, and she pulled her hand from my grasp, returning to her reserved self. “Sterling and I have known each other for a long time, Ellison. Daddy and Mother are extremely pleased. I thought you would be, too.”

“Maybe if this made any sense,” I said, still glaring at Sterling.

“You haven’t talked to me in a long time, Ellie. Sterling and I have become quite close and…”

“Hey!” Paige said, bringing me a fresh cup. I chugged it, handing it back to her.

“Baby,” Tyler warned.

“Thank you, Paige,” I said, wiping my mouth.

I touched my sister’s arm. “Finley, there’s something you need to know, first.”

“Fin, we should go. This clearly isn’t a good time for Ellison,” Sterling said.

“What does that matter?” Tyler seethed. “Not like it made a difference before. Don’t you have any pills for that?”

Sterling cleared his throat. “Let’s go, sweetheart.”

“This is Finley?” Paige said, pawing at Finley’s expensive dress. “Oh, yeah! I remember you! From the bar! You were trying to f*ck Tyler!”

Paige’s sudden interest in the situation made me nervous.

“I most certainly was not,” Finley said, smoothing her hair. “You must have me confused with someone else.”

“No, no, it was you. You and your Latin lover gave us a ride home that ni—oh my God!” She grabbed Finley’s hand and examined her ring. “What is this? Are you engaged?”

“Yes,” Finley said, pulling back her hand.

“To this guy?” Paige pointed, unimpressed. “Isn’t this the guy you were trying to get rid of at the bar?”

“No,” Finley said, blinking. She wasn’t used to being in such an uncomfortable situation.

“Paige,” I said.

“No … no,” she slurred, patting my left breast, “I get it now. I thought it was just me.” She pressed her palm against her chest. “But it’s you guys.” She swung her index finger around, pointing at Finley, Sterling, Tyler, and then me. “You’re like … f*cked up, sexual deviants with no regard for anyone else’s feelings. Just like you two.” She gestured to Tyler and me. “What the f*ck are you even doing together? I was nice to you, Ellie. He just walked out on you, and we shared a bed … I made you cookies,” she lilted. Then she grimaced at Sterling. “Then you f*cked him, and now your sister is engaged to him after she tried and failed to f*ck Tyler. You’re all very messed up and should seek counseling. Immediately.”