“It’s popcorn. I’m sure even you two can manage to figure it out.”
“If I’d known I’d be attacked like this in my own house, I would’ve thought twice before inviting you guys over.”
“Please.” Peter brings the drinks inside. Snow sticks to his coat. Winter weather has hit full force, the cold clinging to every part of me as it settles in Dixon. “You would’ve just moped because Ivy and Willow are gone.”
“Not true.”
There’s no force behind his words. With Willow heading to her mom’s soon—now that she’s home from her overseas tour—I know he’s already missing her.
“I’d say I’d invite you to my place,” I tell them, “but Layla’s old apartment is smaller than a shoebox.”
I was able to lease her small studio over her old store. Now that she’s living in London, it was sitting empty. And it was about time I moved out of my brother’s and let him get on with his life.
He and Nash deserve some time together after I spent so many months with them.
“Willow would say it’s the perfect spot for a fort.”
“Well, if you and Ivy need a night alone, I’ll take her.”
I love my niece. She’s the fucking best.
“Nah. I’m already going through withdrawal, and they’re only gone for a few hours tonight.”
Ivy took Willow out for a girls’ night with my sister. Both of them are trying to spend as much time as they can with her. I know Mason doesn’t mind that Willow gets this time with her mom, but after being her only parent here for so long, it makes it that much harder.
“Any sign of Blake yet?” Peter asks, grabbing plates and carrying the pizza into the living room.
“He texted he’d be late. We can start eating without him.” I drop down onto the small sofa that takes up most of the space in his living room. For a growing family, Mason doesn’t have a lot of sitting room.
It’s times like this I wish I had this kind of life with Audrey.
No expectations. No races or games.
A quiet life in Dixon. Only the two of us.
God, she’s only been here a few weeks, and I’m picturing a life with her. I’m not ready for her to go.
“What’s with the face?” Mason nudges me.
“I’m not making a face.”
“You totally are,” Nash confirms.
If I can’t talk to my brothers, who can I talk to about this?
“Audrey’s leaving.”
“What?” Three sets of eyes stare back at me.
“Already?”
“When?”
“But why?”
They fire questions at me, left and right. I try to take it all in, but it’s hard to focus. Because the only thing consuming me is Audrey.
“Why’s she leaving again?” Mason asks.
