Power Drilled (Roommates, #8)(17)

“Never met them before I flew on Monday. But it’s no matter. I’m here for the drama.”

My jaw dropped. She couldn’t seriously mean she decided to attend because of Jeff and Tanya. “You’re here because of—?”

“Your shitty ex and your trashy cousin?” Evelyn filled in, using language I’d never said in my entire life. “No, I only heard about that once I got here. But every wedding has drama. That’s why I attend so many of them.” She let out a laugh that could only be described as a cackle. “Luckily your uncle has such a large family. And no one ever skips inviting me, because I’m so rich.”

From anyone else, that would’ve sounded like the most over-the-top, bold statement ever. But the rings on the fingers she was waving through the air glittered with what looked to be real gold and diamonds. And she acted like she was rich—like she was the kind of person who didn’t have any worries of her own, so she enjoyed other people’s problems from a distance, like a vulture.

Well, maybe not like a vulture. Evelyn didn’t seem mean-spirited so much as… gossipy. And a bit too eager to hear about others’ troubles.

Time to get back on task. “Mind if I ask you some questions?”

“If I can ask you about your new beaux. Your mom’s been very tight-lipped in the group text.”

It was news to me that there even was a group text, but that wasn’t a big concern right now. My mom was a texter and an oversharer. Instead, I told Aunt Evelyn about my project. She agreed to record a message for Claire and Matthew, so I took her to the quietest corner of the room and clipped a lavalier mic on the small part of the neckline that wasn’t covered by necklaces.

Then I did my best not to chuckle as the older woman spouted off rather questionable advice that she’d acquired during her four marriages. Trying not to laugh was surely a better way to pass the time than being miserable about Jeff and Tanya, so I vowed to spend as much time with Aunt Evelyn as possible this week.

After Evelyn was done, two groomsmen took her spot and told some interesting and rather raunchy stories about Matthew. Good thing I’d be able to edit the worst of it out.

When they were done, I unhooked the mics and turned around to find Tanya and Jeff standing a few feet away.

“Our turn?” Tanya asked in the little-girl voice she adopted when she wanted something from someone. Like, for example, their boyfriend.

“Unless it’ll make you uncomfortable,” Jeff said, and my blood boiled. Gosh, why would I be uncomfortable? Just because the man I’d loved had cheated on me with my cousin? What could be uncomfortable about that?

“Have a seat.” I indicated the two chairs in the corner.

Jeff actually held one of the chairs out for Tanya, which he’d never done for me. Plus it made no sense. There wasn’t a table in front of her to scoot the chair up to.

Then he placed his chair right next to hers so that their thighs were touching.

Great. This was going to be so much fun.

“So what do we do?” Tanya said. Had she always giggled this much? She was three years younger than Claire, and growing up, she’d followed us around whenever she could. Her whole identity seemed to revolve around being the bratty younger sister, but you’d think she would’ve grown out of it by now.

“Just say what you’d like to the happy couple.”

“We are happy. I’m so glad you can acknowledge that,” Tanya simpered.

Jeff chuckled and squeezed her hand. “I think Penny meant the other happy couple, hon.”

“Oh, right.” She tossed her hair dramatically and looked straight into the lens on my phone. “Hey, sis. I wish you and your guy all the best in the world. I hope you’re as happy as me and my guy.”

A strong ache tore through my stomach. To keep the pain at bay, I focused on the crassness of her words. Did she seriously think that comparing Claire and Matthew’s love to a relationship that had begun with adultery barely a month ago was somehow a compliment?

“What about you, hon?” Tanya put her hand on Jeff’s thigh.

“I wish them all the best, too.” He put his arm around Tanya’s waist and pulled her so close that she was practically on his lap. Then he deliberately looked over my phone and met my eyes. “So, where’s your new boyfriend? I’d love to meet him.”

Tanya giggled—again. Seriously, she didn’t used to be this bad. Then again, though she’d never been my favorite person in the world, I never thought she’d start sleeping with my boyfriend. “Yeah, we’ve heard so much about him.”

That didn’t seem likely since I’d said very little about him—since he didn’t actually exist. “He really wanted to be here, but he had to work.”

“And what does he do again?” Jeff asked.

Tanya elbowed him. “Don’t ask her that. Penny’s a private person, don’t you remember, hon?”

“Right.” Jeff kept his gaze on me, and I forced myself not to look away. “That must be why she’s so tight-lipped.” It was clear he didn’t believe that for a second.

“But tomorrow night’s the dance,” Tanya said. “Surely he won’t be working on a Sunday night?”

“It doesn’t seem likely,” Jeff said, shaking his head.