Jack sets his jaw. “He’s my friend and you’re my sister. I have every right to look out for you.”
“If he’s your friend, then you know he’s a good guy! Why would you hit him?”
“Rainey, I told you. It’s two friends coming to an understanding. We did and now it’s over.”
Jack steps forward. “Almost over. I need to talk to you.” He grasps her hand. “We’ll be right back,” he says, and tugs lightly, leading her toward the den for some privacy.
“Do not give her a hard time,” I warn my friend as he disappears down the hall with the woman I love.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Rainey
Itook onelook at Lucas’s bruised jaw and I wanted to throttle my brother. I didn’t appreciate being pulled into another room for a talk I didn’t see the point in having.
I’ve spent the last I don’t know how many weeks worried about what my brother will think of my feelings and relationship with Lucas, but now that he knows? And reacted irrationally—no matter what Lucas thinks—I’m past the point of caring.
“I can’t believe you hit him,” I say, glaring at my brother.
“And I can’t believe you slept with him!” Jack replies.
I draw in a deep breath and let it out. “It’s more than that. We’re more than that, and I am sure Lucas already told you as much.”
Jack shoves his hands into the front pocket of his slacks. “He did.”
I nod, satisfied Lucas and I are on the same page when facing my sibling. “Look, I’ve been worried about what you’d say about me and Lucas since the beginning. I don’t want to hurt you, and I don’t want to come between you as friends or partners. But as much as I want you to be happy for me and support us, if you don’t, I’m not walking away from him.” Tears fill my eyes at both possibilities. Losing Jack because he refuses to accept our relationship and losing Lucas. I only have control over one of those things, and I’m taking it.
I hold my breath and wait for Jack to speak.
He pulls one hand from his pocket and runs it through his hair. “From the time I was a teenager, I warned all my friends tostay away from you. I didn’t care that we were younger, I knew some day we’d reach the point where age didn’t matter. Dad taught us to be protective of you, and I was. I still am.”
“But Lucas is your best friend! And he’s two years older than me.”
“And I know his past,” he says.
“So do I.” Once again, I’m feeling emotional and a lump rises to my throat. “He’s changed.”
Jack nods, his lips pulled into a firm line. “But I also know his history with women.”
I admit to myself that that’s not something we’ve discussed in depth, but I do know he hasn’t been with another woman in a long time. “Talk to him about that because it has nothing to do with me. We’re different than whatever either of us had in the past.”
I want to tell Jack I love Lucas, but I haven’t said the words to him yet. And he hasn’t told me. My brother doesn’t get them first.
I narrow my gaze. “So, you hit him?”
“I hit him before we talked,” Jack mutters. “And he deserved it. Just ask him.”
I roll my eyes. “Men.” It’s my turn to mutter.
He sighs and walks over, then grasps my arms and meets my gaze. “I know how Lucas feels about you. It’s just going to take me time to get used to the idea, that’s all.”
He sounds pained, like I should feel sorry forhim. “Like I told you, we did consider your feelings. You weren’t supposed to find out the way you did. But, Jack, we’re not waiting for you to come around. I need you to deal with us as a couple and accept it. Quickly. Because that’s not going to change.”
“I love you and I just want what’s best for you.”
I nod. “I know. And what’s best for me is Lucas.” I rise to my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “And, Jack? I love you, too.”
We return to the great room where Lucas is staring out the window. At the sound of our footsteps, he turns to face us, his gaze landing on me. “Everything okay?”
