My Girlfriends Brother || Reddie

Chapter Twenty Nine

Dinner at the lake house was exactly what the group needed to kick off spring break. The air was cool but pleasant, with the scent of grilled burgers and roasted vegetables wafting through the open windows. They'd decided to eat outside, gathered around a long wooden table on the porch. String lights overhead cast a soft glow, and the sounds of crickets and gentle waves provided a calming background.

Lexi had outdone herself, delegating everyone's tasks and making sure dinner came together without a hitch. Plates were piled high with food, glasses clinked with toasts, and laughter filled the air.

"Okay," Lexi said, holding up her drink like a judge preparing to deliver a verdict. "Can we all agree that I'm the reason this trip is already a success?"

Beverly smirked, raising an eyebrow. "I don't know, Lex. Mike did all the driving. Maybe he deserves the credit."

Mike grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Finally, some recognition."

Lexi rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, fine. Mike gets an honorary mention."

"And me?" Richie piped up, leaning forward with a mischievous grin. "What do I get?"

"For what?" Stan asked, spearing a piece of grilled zucchini with his fork. "Being the loudest person in the van?"

"Comedy," Richie said, pointing at him. "You get me for comedic relief."

"You get us through by being a pain in the ass," Eddie muttered, though there was no real venom in his voice.

Richie's eyes flicked to Eddie, and he smirked. "Admit it, Eds. You'd be bored without me."

Eddie didn't respond, focusing instead on cutting his burger. He didn't trust himself to say more—not with the way Richie was looking at him.

The laughter around the table filled the air as the group settled into their meal, the kind of laughter that made the stress of school and life feel a million miles away. The table was a mix of half-finished plates, glasses of lemonade, and a bottle of wine Richie had managed to smuggle in, which Beverly was now guarding with a teasing smirk.

"Richie, the wine stays with me," Beverly said as Richie reached for the bottle. "You've already had two glasses."

"Two and a half," Richie corrected, winking at her. "And I'm still perfectly charming."

"That's debatable," Stan muttered, earning a round of laughs.

Lexi leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she surveyed the group. "Honestly, I think I deserve more than an honorary mention. I mean, I organized the food, the lodging, and the activities. Without me, this would've been a disaster."

"You mean without your clipboard," Mike teased, holding up the infamous notebook Lexi had been carrying all week.

"Exactly!" Lexi said, unbothered. "The clipboard is the reason we're eating this incredible meal instead of stale chips and gas station sandwiches."

"She's got a point," Ben admitted, raising his glass in a toast. "To Lexi and her clipboard."

The group echoed the toast, and even Richie joined in, though he added under his breath, "Control freak."

Eddie, who had been mostly quiet during the banter, couldn't help but smirk. Richie's ability to needle Lexi without actually upsetting her was oddly entertaining.

"Speaking of activities," Lexi said, setting her drink down and pulling out her notebook. "We need to decide on tomorrow's plans. There's kayaking, hiking, or—"

"Kayaking," Richie said immediately, cutting her off. "Put me down for that. I've got great arm strength."

Stan snorted. "From what? Lifting gummy worms?"