“Why didn’t you tell us she was back?”
“When did she get here?”
“Holy shit.”
“Wait, who’s Audrey?” Blake’s voice cuts through the noise.
“Only the love of his life,” Gemma clarifies for him.
“Was. Was the love of my life,” I correct her.
“Then why are you blushing?” Gemma points her fork at me.
“I am not.”
At least, I don’t think I am.
God, I forgot how invasive my siblings can be when they’re grilling someone on their love life. They show no mercy.
“Why didn’t you tell us she was back?” Nash asks. “This is big.”
“Bigger than big. This is huge!” Gemma’s voice is loud.
“Okay, it’s not that big,” I correct her.
“I wasn’t around much when you brought her home before,” Ivy starts, “but even I know what she meant to you.”
“Jesus. You guys have the biggest mouths.”
I shake my head, popping a crispy Brussels sprout in my mouth, giving me a minute to collect my thoughts.
Shit, that’s good.
The last thing I wanted to do was tell my family Audrey was back. For this reason. I was already freaking out over it, and I didn’t need them to freak out too.
Audrey is here for the exact same reason I am. Training and rehab. Both of us have goals and are trying to get back to peak physical shape.
We’re like two ships passing in the night. Only here with each other for a little while. Then she’s off to competitions all over the world, and I’m hopefully back to Denver.
“She’s only here for a few weeks. It’s not a big deal.”
“You’re so full of shit.” Mason is laughing at me now. “You don’t want to admit what she still means to you.”
Fucking older brothers.
“Meant. Past tense.” I grab the roll off my plate and chuck it at his head. Mason plucks it out of the air and tosses it right back at me. My dodge is skillful as it bounces along the floor and lands at Daisy’s paws. She happily eats it up.
“No throwing food at the dinner table.” Gramps’s voice quiets everyone.
“Hey! I want to throw food!” Willow whines. “Why do adults get to do everything?”
“Because we’re adults, Willow. I promise you, one day you’ll get to throw a roll at Uncle Logan’s head.”
“Yes!” She goes back to eating her mac and cheese with a happy smile on her face.
“Logan, can we talk outside?” Gramps asks, standing from his chair.
I don’t miss the way everyone tracks us as we head out the door.
