Shay shared a look with her that I couldn’t read before he nodded, giving my shoulders a squeeze. “Blue’s kind of right on that, Ry. She’s Skye to everyone else.”
Whether his tone of voice hinted it wasn’t up for discussion or an order, I couldn’t tell. Either way, the look on her face said she wasn’t impressed. Now, I understood what Laika meant about girls having cat claws that come out in a hostile situation normally revolving around a boy.
Shay was my brother, though. Did that count? Seemed like Ryleigh thought so. “Any other boundaries I should be aware of?” she asked stiffly but continued to stare at me as if waiting for an apology or something.
As if.
“Boundaries?” he laughed. “You’re being overdramatic, Ryleigh.” She opened her mouth to say something, but he was already walking me toward the kitchen. “Cocochino, Blue?”
I nodded, half-tempted to stick my tongue out and taunt her over my shoulder. Against appearing childish, I didn’t.
But the win over my silly one-sided war was short-lived.
Three weeks later,I was nowhere near to accepting that Shay now had a permanent girlfriend. Someone he was spending more time with and probably head over heels for.
He hadn’t come home the last two nights then texted Dad this morning asking us to join him for Ryleigh’s birthday dinner. Not enough that I had to wait months on end for him to come back from tour but now I had to share him, when he did. Since his return, we hardly spent time together and what little we did, either included Ryleigh or he wasn’t up to doing the usual stuff he did with me. He was due to leave on another deployment in four days and now this stupid invite came up.
Annoyed, I planned not to go. I was being childish but sue me for missing my brother. The one who took me horseback riding in the mountains, biking through the forest trails or swimming in the river. And that was just stuff we did outside, there was so much more we did at home.
At breakfast this morning, I told Dad I wasn’t going. When he asked why, I just shrugged and said I had a ton of homework I had to get done for Monday. I knew he hadn’t believed me because he gave me this weird look that said he wouldn’t back down.
And I was right. “Come on, Angel, we promised Shay. He’s called twice in the last hour.”
Sitting Indian style on my bed, I looked up from Laika’s text asking me what time we were meeting at the carnival and if I was staying over after at Sam’s for our planned movie night. Dad stood at my door, his expression expectant yet silently telling me I’d never missed one since I was old enough to walk.
Technically, it was the annual carnival held by the mayor but because it was Ryleigh’s birthday, Shay invited her family to join us for the usual family treat.
“But I’m sick,” I lied.
Hands folded crossed over his chest, Dad cocked a brow at me. “Nice try.” I faked a cough, drying my throat in the process. Still, he didn’t budge. “You’re going to have to do better.” He offered me one of his playful smirks. My father, with his muscular body, gray eyes, a shade darker than Shay’s, was a gorgeous man and sometimes I wondered why producers used him as a stuntman instead of the main character.
I rubbed my stomach, puffing out my cheeks. “It’s sore.”
Chuckling, he pushed away from the door, neared my bed and sat. “You want to tell me what’s really going on?”
“Nothing’s going on.” I toyed with my phone, avoiding his gaze.
He reached out and gave my hand a light squeeze. “You’re scared, aren’t you, Angel?”
My head snapped up, my eyes wide. “Scared?”
“That Ryleigh is taking over Shay’s heart.”
“No,” I whispered, dropping my head to hide the abrupt tears I felt sting my eyes the second he sat.
“Hey.” He slid a finger under my chin and lifted until I was looking at him. “Shay loves you, Angel and he’s always been there for you.” He sighed. “But he’s a good-looking man and it’s only natural that he’d fall in love. It’s time for him to start building his own family.” Those words had a weird effect on my heart rate, and it pulsed something stupid. Dad noticed my sudden rapid breathing and grasped my arms in a light hold. “That doesn’t mean he’ll forget you or love you any less, Skye.” The waterworks burst then, and he pulled me into a hug. “If I know your brother, he’ll still be around to fight all your monsters, real or not.”
“Why hasn’t he spent time with me then,” I sobbed into his shoulder, soaking his shirt.
“Skye,” he sighed, rubbing my back in small circular motions. “Why don’t we go to the carnival, maybe he has some fun planned for the two of you.” I heard the hopefulness in his voice. He was just as unsure as I was.
I drew back and looked at him through wet lashes. “Maybe I should get a boyfriend,” I sniffed, trying to sound serious.
Dad’s laugh was light then he said, “maybe you should.” I hiccupped on a gasp, and he laughed harder. He and I both knew I wasn’t interested in boys. I was too much of a tomboy. “I’m fifteen and you said I couldn’t have a boyfriend until I was eighteen,” I scolded, earning another chuckle.
“Come on.” He squeezed my hand and stood. “Wear something pretty to brighten your mood and maybe when you get there, you’ll feel better or maybe find that boyfriend you want.” He winked and I tossed a pillow at him which he caught.
“Can I stay over at Sam’s for movie night?”
