“Once we checkin, please take the rest of the day off,” I said. “I’ll probably head to mysister’s place for a few hours, so I promise I won’t bug you.”
Brandy smiled.“I think I’m going to crawl into that huge bed and sleep for a few hours.”
I chuckled.“That sounds amazing.”
“Melody!”
I turned towardthe sound of my name and saw my sister waving from behind the awaiting TownCar.
“Oh my god,” Ibreathed out, making a run for Harmony. “What are you doing here?” I asked asshe pulled me in for a hug.
“You might be afamous pop star, but you’re still my little sister and you deserve a welcomingcommittee.” She cupped my face. “Missed you DiDi.”
“Missed you too,NiNi.”
“Jax has beensmoking ribs all day and the kids are dying to see you.”
“Aw, really?”
“Yeah. Grab yourbags. I’ll drive you home.”
“I have peopleto deal with my bags, sissy,” I said. “I’ll just give Brandy the update and wecan go.”
I turned to findBrandy walking toward me, pulling one of my suitcases behind her. “This one hasall your essentials, just in case you want to stay the night with your family,”she said, passing it off to me. “I’ll get us checked into the hotel and sortout the crew.”
Harmony grinned.“You’re a miracle worker.”
Brandy rolledher eyes. “Oh, I know.”
“Thanks, honey,”I said, hugging her quickly. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Youguys have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Brandy walkedaway and I turned to my sister… whose mouth was agape. “What?”
“You huggedher.”
“Call themedia,” I droned.
“But what wasweirder is, you were nice to her. Positively polite.”
“Bite me,” Iretorted. “Can we go?”
Harmony laughedand wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Yes, my darling, sweet, incrediblesister. Let’s do that.”
We climbed intothe car and Harmony drove us to her home in Portland, right on the WillametteRiver with access to a boat ramp. They hadn’t bought a boat yet, but theyplanned to the second they had time to enjoy it.
They’d lived inthis home for just over a year, but I hadn’t had a chance to see it yet, aswe’d been gathering at Lyric and Doom’s home in Savannah for holidays over thepast few years since they had little ones, so it was harder for them to travel.
We pulled up tothe house and Harmony’s kids rushed the car.
“Auntie Melody!”Skylar squeaked, knocking on my window.
I laughed,climbing out and pulling my niece in for a hug. “Hey, sweetie.”
“How long areyou staying?”
“I’m notstaying—”
