“You don’t have tosaythat.”
“I know I don’t. I’m speaking the truth. I admit I’ve been nearly non-existent in your life, but from now on, I’m going to do right byyou,okay?”
Clearly emotional from our exchange, Quinn dropped his head and nodded. I stepped forward and embraced him. At first shocked by my gesture, he tensed at my touch, but as I held on, my baby brother slowly relaxed. When I felt his arms go around my back, I knew I’d been forgiven. That’s how it was with family. The ties were always there; you just needed to remember to tighten them every once in awhile.
We broke apart and I slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to Casey. Arewegood?”
“Yeah,” he smiled, looking more relaxed than I’d seen him in a long time. “We’regood.”
“AndQuinn?”
“Yeah?”
“That was a killer song. You’re the realdeal,man.”
* * *
I’d just rejoined Casey,who was deep into a conversation with her Uncle Alan about his spotty bowel movements, when Sam, Keith’s ex, wandered up to give meahug.
Sam was the gold standard girlfriend.Earthywas the best way to describe her. With long, sun-streaked hair, tan skin, and minimal make-up, she didn’t need much more than her natural self to be attractive. But it wasn’t her beauty that was the most remarkable thing about her. Whether for humans, animals, or environmental causes, Sam’s compassion was continually on full display. It was probably what had attracted her to Keith in the first place. He was a wounded soul in need of saving, and that was Sam’sspecialty.
The first time I met her, I knew she was different. I’d just returned home from my first tour and was trying to readjust to family life again when Keith introduced us. Interactions with strangers were awkward for me back then. Either the person was regarding me with pity or was promising me their undying love. Sam did neither. She treated me like any other teenage boy; she was the first person after the kidnapping, and outside the family, to make me feelnormal.
“Congratulations,”she said. “I couldn’t be happier for you and Casey. You’re hands down my favoritecouple.”
“Mine too,” I joked. “Damn, Samantha, it feels like I haven’t seen you inforever.”
“I know,” she replied, dropping her head just a smidge and appearing genuinely sad. “I miss you guys so much. When Keith and I broke up, it was like losing half my family. I had a hard time of it. Thank god for Casey, so I can keep tabs on allofyou.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that.” I shifted uncomfortably, feeling strangely guilty. I had dropped her like a hot potato at the first mention of their break up. She’d been like family, but Keith was my flesh and blood, and my loyalty would always be to him. “It sucks you two didn’tworkout.”
There was no denying the look of pain that accompanied her solemn head nod. “Yes,itis.”
“Samantha Anderson!” Casey squealed, enveloping her in a hug and saving me from trying to come up with something else to say to my brother’s ex. “Youcame,girl.”
“Of course. Like I’d miss this for the world. Jake, you should have seen your face when Casey punked you in thechurch.”
The three of us laughed. I still hadn’t quite gotten over it and couldn’t wait to return thefavor.
I felt a sudden movement. Keith had appeared by my side out of nowhere, giving me a tight squeeze on the shoulder to let me know what a douche I had been for conversing with the enemy. “What didImiss?”
“Nothing. We were just making fun of Jake,” Casey said. “Likealways.”
Keith nodded and then turned to look at his ex for the first time. “Sam,” he said, tipping his head to her ingreeting.
“Keith,” she replied, mimicking his exactacknowledgement.
“Youlookgood.”
“Sodoyou.”
Then silence. The four of us stood thereawkwardly.
“Well, this isn’t uncomfortable at all,” Casey said. “I just had a conversation about poop that was more stimulatingthanthis.”
“Well, here’s something that might be more pleasing to your ears.” Keith perked up. “Guess who showed up at the reception demanding to see herhusband?”
“Who?”
