Got suspended for fighting after that. Chandler got a lollipop and a broken nose and the gift of everyone’s amnesia about him starting it.
I let it go because it was easier than holding a grudge. “Heard the pretty lady flirting with me.”
“Before that.”
“Ocean. Night bugs. Music. Tourists.”
He keeps staring at me like he’s trying to decide if I’m fucking with him.
I rock back on my heels and give him thewhat?look.
“You better be as dumb as you pretend to be.” He’s going for the growl again. And I’m wondering just how big his dick must be for my very intelligent sister to truly want to marry this guy. “If you repeat a single fucking word, I’ll destroy you.”
Yep.
This is what my sister wants to marry. A guy who doesn’t want me at his wedding but knows he can’t object because that would make his bride unhappy. “Sure Em would love that,” I say.
His face twitches.
I nod to him. “Better get back to my babysitter. Have fun being you.”
I walk away without reminding him who’s paying the bills here. No point in it, and he’d take the opportunity to remind me he could spill my biggest secret.
That one’smineto leak onmyterms.
Not because I’m embarrassed.
But because I knowotherpeople will be. They’d think I need to be saved from it. That there’s something wrong with how I choose to make a difference in the world.
Chandler follows me to my room.
I pretend I don’t know he’s behind me.
For Emma’s sake.
It’s always for Emma’s sake. She’s the one who’d come to my bedroom door every single time I stepped in major shit while we were growing up, knock softly and whisper, “I know it wasn’t all your fault, Theo, and I still love you, and you’re still the best brother in the world.”
Therefore, I will do anything for her.
I can’t count the number of times she told me she knew it wasn’t my fault.
Especially after Mom died.
I know she knows all the shit with Chandler isn’t entirely my fault. And I know she’s allowed to love a guy who will never be my best friend.
So long as he truly makes her happy in every other aspect of her life, who am I to object?
The minute I’m inside my suite, I pull out my phone. Delaney would say I need to call the rental car company and get paperwork started, but I have other things I want—and need—to do.
I don’t call anyone. Instead, I text Emma.
Gotta work tomorrow morning. You can have Delaney back for a few hours.Overnight, even. Won’t leave my room. Promise.
I don’t expect an immediate text back, but there it is.
Um…speaking of…we’re headed your way. Laney’s a little…happy…and would like to go to bed. In her bed. She keeps saying you have something that will make it all better but that she’s not telling what since she can keep secrets too. And this is NOT me asking if what you have that will make her feel better is any part of your body.
She doesn’t threaten to disembowel me if I use my penis to make Laney feel better.
