Kevin opened the box and saw a silver dog-tag chain with Saint Christopher engraved on one of the tags.
“I got the same one for me,” Perry said, opening the other box.
They put it on together and even though Kevin wasn’t a fan of sentimentality, he knew it was never coming off. “Is this a male version of a BFF chain?”
Perry chuckled. “Yeah, something like that.”
He lifted the tag and gently rubbed his thumb over the engraving. “Why Saint Christopher?”
“We’re big boys now. We’re gonna kill it in college. You’re gonna become an electrical engineer. I’m gonna start my own business once I get my degree. We’re gonna make a ton of money. I’m gonna marry that girl right there.” He pointed to the counter where Shandré was standing. “Have lots of babies. We’re gonna do amazing things, see the world—starting with Florida.”
Kevin tried not to roll his eyes. “I promise we’re gonna go to Florida one day.”
“You bet your ass, we are.” Perry grabbed his own chain in one hand and wrapped his other arm around Kevin’s neck again. “Saint Christopher is the guider of the travelers…and we’re going places, Kev.”
November, 10
Somewhere on the outskirts of Vegas
“Happy birthday, little brother.”
Considering the way he left home a few days ago, he hadn’t expected Dom to sound so cheerful. Kevin guessed that it was probably another trait of being the eldest: the maturity and heart to forgive.
“Thanks, Dom.” Kevin replied. “How’s mom?”
He didn’t know why he asked that question. The answer was obvious. His mother had been the first to call him this morning. He hadn’t even left the hotel room for breakfast before her name was lighting up his screen. She’d sounded worried and distraught, but Kevin just wanted to know if it was worse than what he thought.
“She’s okay,” Dom replied. “She’s just worried about you, Kev. I don’t know what exactly you’re up to, but we all understand that this is something you need to do.”
That made him feel a lot better. Dom always knew what each of his siblings needed to set their minds at ease. He was actually the best big brother ever, protective and reliable. As his mother always said, typical Capricorn qualities. Hearing his voice made Kevin feel a little homesick. He was starting to miss them. There was, however, someone he was missing more than his mother, his father, his siblings. “How’s Kay?” he asked.
“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” There was silence for a few seconds and his eyes shut as soon as he heard her little voice. “Hi, Uncle K.”
“Hey, Princess. How was your day with Grandma?”
“Nice. We made cookies.”
Hearing that reminded him of how he blew up at his mother over those stupid chocolate chip cookies. He ignored the guilt and listened to Kay as she spoke about how she’d messed the flour in her hair and the batch that got burnt. But then, just like a three-year old, the conversation shifted without warning. “When are you coming home, Uncle K?”
He tried not to let her hear him groan. “I know I said I’d be back in a couple days, but I’m gonna be gone for a few weeks, okay? And I promise, we’re gonna have that ball as soon as I get back.”
“Okay.” She sounded completely disheartened. It was painful to hear. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
He hung up the phone and turned around to see Jasmin staring at him. Sharing a room with her was going to take some getting used to. He liked his personal space and, for her, nothing was personal. It was going to be their second night together, and he had to admit that it wasn’t as bad as he’d anticipated. There were some issues, minor issues though.
They’d left Provo this morning and drove for six hours to… He didn’t even know where the hell they were. All he knew was that they weren’t in Vegas yet. He knew this because Jasmin insisted on doing some girly shit before they actually entered the city. She wanted a manicure, pedicure and a wax. She didn’t want to go into Vegas not looking her best. Ridiculous! She only ever wore sweatpants and baggy tops. What difference did it make? But they were here now, in a motel in some small town in the middle of nowhere.
“So it’s your niece, not your girlfriend,” she said.
His eyebrows drew together in confusion. “What?”
“The girl waiting for you back home, I thought it was your girlfriend, but it’s your niece. Dom’s daughter?”
Her question made him realize how much she’d overheard. “It’s rude to eavesdrop on other peoples’ conversations.”
“It’s not like I had a choice; we’re in the same room.” She smiled as if pleasantly surprised. “It was nice to see that side of you. I didn’t know you could be sweet. Um…will you tell me about your family?”
