Raquel
TWO DAYS LATER, we’d booked our flights home for the next day, so I decided to do a last-minute load of laundry, switching it from the washer to the dryer just as I heard the deep, bellowy voice of my dad.
“Raquel Susan Brooks, where the hell are you?”
“He’s early,” Tristan said, peeking into the laundry room. “Sorry, sissy. Dad’s on his way. CorBran are coming, too.”
“What about Mom?” I asked.
“Your mom’s at your aunt’s for a few days.”
“So, no buffer there,” I grumbled.
“Sorry, not sorry.”
“Seriously, Tristan? I will get you for this,” I threatened. My brother grinned and walked away in response. “And it’s BranWin, not CorBran,” I corrected.
“Raquel!” Dad bellowed again.
“I’m here, Daddy,” I said, and walked out to the great room and straight into his arms.
“You fly home and don’t call? What’s up with that, Chickpea?”
“Sorry. It’s been a crazy couple of days.”
Brando rushed me, lifting me off my feet.
“Oh my god!” I squeaked. “Have you grown again? Lordy, you get taller every time I see you. And why haven’t you returned my texts?”
Brando chuckled, setting me on my feet again. “Because I’m not a twelve year old girl.”
Corwin pulled me in for a more demure hug. “Hey, sissy.”
“Hey, Winnie. You look like you’re bulking up.”
He grinned, flexing a bicep. “Workin’ on it.”
“Raquel, have you seen my—?” Orion stopped midsentence as he walked into the room.
I pulled away from my brother and smiled. “Dad, BranWin, this is Orion. Orion, Dad and my brothers Brando and Corwin.”
My dad raised an eyebrow before facing Orion and shaking his hand.
“Beer?” Tristan asked Dad, offering him a bottle.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the beer, but studying me.
“Orion and I are a thing,” I said.
“A thing?” Dad and Orion said, in stereo.
“I think you and I need to talk,” Dad said, and I sighed.
“You can use my office,” Tristan offered.
“Fine,” I said, and headed down the hall. I glanced back at Orion hoping he’d leave me alone for the moment. He crossed his arms and watched us walk back but didn’t make a move to follow.
Dad stepped in behind me and closed the door, waving to a seat next to Tristan’s desk. I sat down and he took the chair opposite me, setting his beer on the desk and leaning forward, his elbows to his knees. This was his ‘I need to have a serious talk with you’ stance.
