A laugh that sounded way more like a snort than anything else burst out of me. I slammed my hand over my mouth. “Sorry. That was funny though.”
“You’re a great audience, Isla.” He took a sip of his water and shook his head like I was crazy. “Always make me feel like I’m actually kind of funny.”
“You are funny.”
He glanced at me, his smile fading. “So Luis…I didn’t know he’d be here.”
“Yeah, it was kind of a surprise to me too until about two weeks ago.” Considering Luis and Landon had been friends back in high school, I doubted he cared about the visit like I had. “Did you get a chance to talk to him?”
He shrugged. “Said hi. But, you know, Colby was with me so—”
I waited for more but Landon’s words stopped as someone stepped up to our table. I expected it to be Colby but was surprised to see it was Luis.
“Can we talk?”
I stared at him, my mouth probably hanging open. And once again tonight, I was actually speechless. “Uh, sure?”
Luis stared down at me like I was the stuff you scrape off of shoes. “Outside.”
“Yeah. Of course.” I jumped up like some ridiculously obedient dog and followed him to the patio where I’d just been with Colby. Way to ruin the memory.
But just as we got to the patio doors they opened and Colby stepped through. Everything suddenly felt off. Colby’s shoulders tensed. Luis’s posture went rigid. The two stared at each other.
Colby’s gaze swung to me. His jaw ticked. He turned back to Luis, gave him a once-over, then marched away. And I thought Luis had nailed the look of disgust.
I glanced over my shoulder and watched Colby walk away, looking like he was ready to punch a wall, or Luis….
Luis pushed open the door and spun to face me, practically towering over me.
“So I’m to assume you invited him?”
“What? Y’all did. He had an invitation.”
“No. We invited Landon. Not Colby.”
“That’s just stupid.”
He glared.
“Grandma loves all the Callahans. It’s her party. They should all be here.” I rolled my eyes, ready to change the subject and find out from Colby what the hell that had been about, since I knew Luis wouldn’t tell me. “So what did we need to talk about?”
“We’re talking about it. Dad and I didn’t go through all this trouble, create guest lists and whatnot, for you to go over our heads and make arrangements without discussing it with us.”
“Are you serious right now? It’s one more person. Who, as I said, should have always been included.”
“He’s not welcome.”
“He’s my best friend.”
“It’s not your party.”
“It’s not yours.”
Luis finally sighed. “I don’t even know why I’m trying to have an adult conversation with you.”
“You’re not. You’re reprimanding me like I’m a child and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not one.” I crossed my arms and firmed my stance. He may have the upper hand when it came to family business, but no way would he drag Colby down for absolutely no good reason.
“Then quit acting like one.”
“The only person acting childish right now is you. Like an entitled, overgrown child who didn’t get his way.” I glared and he fumed. “Look, I don’t know what your shit is with Colby, but he’s more a part of Grandma’s life than you have ever been. So do me a favor and fuck off.”
I spun around, not caring to hear whatever else he had to say.
“You will never change.” He spat it out like it was an insult.
So I laughed. “Nope.” Then flipped him off over my shoulder for good measure. “As crazy as this might seem to you, women are born with a backbone. So quit trying to break mine.”
I heard the start of something he was about to say, but moved inside before I caught enough to let it get under my skin.
If he wanted to come to town and act like an asshole, so be it. But he’d be gone in the morning and back out of my life.
I made my way over to my seat, with a forced smile, worried Grandma might see me upset; the last thing I wanted was to ruin her night. But as I got to my table my smile fell. Colby and Landon were hunched together, exchanging words that seemed to have both of them upset.
“You can’t leave,” Landon whispered.
“I never would’ve come had I known he’d be here.”
“I get that, and it’s shit, but stay for Isla and Ms. Diaz.”
Colby huffed. “Isla’s gonna find out.”
I came into view. “I’m going to find out what?”