Me: You’re right and I love you too. See you in the morning!
When I walk out to the kitchen, I find Benny unpacking the Mexican food. I retrieve plates and silverware, bringing them to the dining room table. Our apartment is a small two-bedroom in a decent, but not great, part of Nashville. It isn’t the nicest complex, but we’ve lived in worse.
In the years since we left home, we never even considered not living together. And honestly, I can’t decide how I feel when I think what it would be like to not live with my brother. It’ll be bittersweet when the time comes. On the one hand, that would mean Benny is sober and living his best life.
And hopefully, by that time, I’ll have found my soulmate.
Despite not having the best role models, I’m secretly a romantic at heart, thanks to my love of romance novels and movies. I know that my baggage isn’t something everyone would want to take on, if my past relationships have taught me anything, but I hope there’s a man out there meant for me who’ll love me and Benny for who we are.
I suck in a deep breath. There’s one more topic I need to discuss before I leave. “So…I don’t want to push you, because going to meetings is your first priority, but both James and I agree sitting around isn’t good for you.”
Sitting back in his chair, Benny crosses his arms over his chest.
I rush on before he can start arguing with me. “I was just curious if you were planning on looking for a part-time job soon?”
He blows out a breath slowly. “I didn’t want to tell you this yet, but I’m pretty sure I have a job already.”
Surprise and excitement zing through me. “Oh really? Where at?”
He lifts a forkful of food to his mouth, chewing slowly. Finally, he replies. “Just this local mechanic shop not far from here.”
My stomach drops. I know my brother. There’s something he’s omitting. Every instinct in my body is fighting me to push more and get him to tell me whatever informationhe’s withholding. But I want this time to be different. For both of us. I take a long drink of water to give myself a moment to control my impulses, then I smile wide. “That’s awesome. You’re great with cars!” I reach over and grasp his forearm lovingly. “Keep me posted. I’m really excited for you.”
We finish dinner, chatting about my new job and about what he wants me to bring him from each of the cities I’ll be stopping in. We laugh and joke like we would when we were kids, and I’m reminded of how much time and happiness we have been robbed of because of his addiction. I would never tell Benny that, because I know he already feels guilty enough, but it makes me sad, regardless. For both of us.
When I got us out of our mom’s house, I had so many dreams about what our lives would look like. Dreams of a life that we chose instead of one forced on us. I’ve had to come to terms with those dreams slowly dying over the years, but this is certainly not the life I wanted. But it’s once again the life that’s been forced on me.
All I can hope is that, one day, something will bring that dream back.
3
Nate
I’m standing in the terminal waiting area used for private flights, drinking coffee with my sunglasses on. I look ridiculous wearing my sunglasses inside, as Ian has already pointed out, but they are necessary today. The party for Brian went much longer and included more whiskey than I intended to drink, and I’m paying for it this morning.
“How much longer are we going to have to wait around here?” Ian’s voice is gruff as he joins me, sipping his own coffee. He doesn’t look as rough as I feel, but he sounds like it.
“I know why I feel like shit today. What’s your deal?”
His face deadpans. “I don’t have a deal. I’m just standing here.”
I open my mouth to argue with him, when I’m interrupted by an aggravated female voice. We both turn inunison toward the sound. From farther down the long hall, Jenny Bell walks quickly, talking animatedly to the shorter man beside her. He’s slightly jogging to keep up with the tall singer’s long strides. As she gestures with her hands, he nods emphatically.
I sigh. If the attitude she’s giving him is any indication, this will be a long, annoying assignment.
“This is going to be a long couple of months.” Ian’s words echo my thoughts.
I met Jenny multiple times in the meetings leading up to her team contracting with us. She was always nice enough to me when she came to our office, mostly because she always made it a point to hit on me when she thought no one was looking, but I could tell she’s demanding when it comes to getting her what she wants. This appears to be one of those times. I recognize the man trying to keep up with her as her manager. He gives me weaselly creep vibes. But based on our research, he’s quite the successful manager in town.
My eyes trail a little farther down the hall. Two more people are heading our way. One is a tall, fit man who looks to be about thirty. He has shaggy, wavy brown hair that looks more appropriate for the beach than an airport. Based on his uniform, it appears he’s our flight attendant.
The person next to him makes my heart skip a beat.
Even the harsh airport lights do little to dim her beauty. Her jet-black hair hangs in a long, thick sheet almost to her waist. She’s maybe 5’5”, or perhaps a little taller. My gaze zeros in on her hips, their sway spellbinding to watch. She’s curvy and thick, and my dick immediately responds.
Goddamn.
I take back my previous concerns. Maybe these next couple of months won’t be so bad after all.
