He hikes his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll go grab it.”
“Thank you,” I say as he walks away.
The front door opens moments later, and I turn to find my brother strolling into the house. I frown at his presence because it’s early in the morning.
“Where have you been?” I raise a questioning brow.
“Nowhere.”
I narrow my eyes at him and his scruffy attire.
“Suspicious.”
Finn walks towards me, and he’s immediately drawn to my arm. “What happened?”
“I fell from the loft. But I’m okay. Luckily, JJ was here.”
He tuts. “Be careful, man. Dad always told us how slippy the ladder is.”
“I know, I know,” I mutter under my breath.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
JJ emerges from the stairs a few moments later, now in a black T-shirt. “It’s on your bed, Ivy.”
I press my lips into a thin line. “Thanks.”
“Hey.” Finn swats JJ’s chest. “Joel and Cal are heading out across town, there is this new park they’ve just built. We’re gonna chill and play football. You down?”
“I’m there.”
Finn makes his way upstairs, and JJ loiters for a second or two. He catches my gaze and flashes a soft smile that does something to my soul.
“You good?” he asks.
I press my lips together and breathe out through my nose. “Good as new. Thanks.”
When he leaves, I slump against the counter and press a hand to my face.
Yeah, this is going to be harder than I thought.
CHAPTER 14
JJ WOODFORD
“So we’ve got sixteen burgers, fourteen sausages, chicken skewers, cheese, buns, onions, gherkins, coleslaw, potato salad,” Finn lists off as he points to everything on the kitchen island. “Do you reckon that’s enough?”
I turn my head to him. “To feed a football team? Yeah.”
“It’s better to have more than to scrounge for the scraps.”
“True.” I nod in agreement. “When’s everyone getting here?”
He snorts. “Define everyone.”
“Joel, Callan. Anyone else you invited.”
