“Okay, let’s do a Lawson roll call. First up, we’ve got Liz. She just turned their guest bedroom into a home office, so I doubt you could stay there.”
“Right,” I agree.
“Next, we have Michelle. She has her hands full with Eve who is now learning how to drive. When she’s not busy with her teenage daughter, she and her hunky boyfriend are doing it everywhere they can. I’m not sure you want to be around for that.”
“Ew, yeah. No thanks.”
“And I love you, but unless you want to bunk with my eight-year-old bonus son, I’m not an option.
It makes me smile hearing her say that. Ronnie has always been a free spirit, never wanting to settle down even a little. All of that changed when she met Drew and his son, Colton. it tooksome time, but now, she’s all in on her life with them. It’s really nice.
“Nope, not you,” I say.
“Oh, well, that only leaves one option.”
***
“Dylan!” I squeal as he opens his front door.
“Jo?”
“How’s my favorite brother?”
He ignores my question and looks from me to my car that is obviously crammed with stuff. “No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“You’re in my driveway at nine o’clock at night. I’m sure I can take a guess.” He stops for a moment as if something suddenly occurs to him. “Wait, are you okay?”
Man, I love Dylan. Even when he’s trying to be a dick, he can’t turn off the big brother, good guy instincts.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” I say, putting his mind at ease.
“Alright, good. Now, back to what I was saying, no.”
“Come on, Dyl. At least hear me out,” I plead.
“Jo, I love you, but absolutely n—“
His wife, Leah, appears behind him. “Hey, Jo, come on in.”
“Thank you, Leah,” I say, staring smugly at my brother as I step past him to walk inside.
Once there, I take a seat on the couch as my sister-in-law joins me. Before she sits, she hands me a small glass of what smells like whiskey.
“What’s this for?” I ask.
“I figure if you show up at your brother’s house at night with all your shit in tow, you probably need it.”
“Thanks, Leah.” I give a small smile before taking a sip.
Oh, yeah. Definitely whiskey.
“Jo won’t be staying long,” Dylan tells her.
“Oh, hush,” his wife scolds. “What’s going on, Jo?”
Dyl goes to open his mouth, but one look from Leah has him snapping it shut again.
