“Not tonight, pipsqueak,” Everett says, ruffling her hair. “Blake’s sister is staying in our spare room.”
She looks at Tori curiously. “You’re staying in my room?”
My sister nods. “I am.”
Her nose scrunches. “When are you going home?”
“Tinsley!” Juliet exclaims, but Tori laughs.
“It’s okay,” she assures her. Turning to Tinsley, she says, “I’m going back to Sydney tomorrow. But thank you for letting me sleep over in your room.”
Sulking from the admonishment she received from her mother, Tinsley sniffs. “That’s okay.” She looks at Everett. “It’s still my room, though, isn’t it?”
“Always,” he says.
Juliet pulls out her wallet, and Everett frowns.
“I’ve got it.”
She shakes her head. “It’s fine.”
He stands from the table and helps Tinsley off her chair. “I’ll walk you out.”
“It was lovely to meet you,” Juliet says to Tori.
“You, too,” Tori replies warmly.
“Good luck with the pregnancy.”
“Thank you.”
I school my features when Juliet looks at me.
“Good to see you again, Blake.”
“Bye, Juliet. See you, Sprout.”
To my surprise, Tinsley pulls her hand out of Everett’s grip and runs around the table to hug me. A lump forms in my throat when she says, “You played good tonight. Mama and I had fun cheering for you.”
I swallow, then clear my throat. “Cheers, Sprout. See you next time.”
She shoots me a blinding smile before skipping around the table to grab Everett’s hand. Juliet brushes her hand through Tinsley’s curls as they leave the restaurant, tearing my heart from my chest because I wish it were me leaving with them.
Chapter 19
Blake
When we get home, Everett and Emily say goodnight and head to his bedroom. Tori follows me into the kitchen, settling herself at the kitchen bench while I make us both a cup of the herbal tea Emily keeps stocked in our cupboard.
Recalling my late-night conversation with Juliet, I know this is my last chance to clear the air with my sister and make headway in moving on from my past. Knowing I’ll be having a similar conversation with Juliet on Wednesday doesn’t make this any easier.
“What’s with you and Juliet?” Tori asks as I pour boiling water from the kettle into two mugs.
“What?” I choke out, splashing water over the bench as I cast a quick glance at her. “Nothing.”
She scoffs. “Dude, I’m your sister. I know you better than anyone.”
“There’s nothing going on,” I protest, grabbing a tea towel to clean up the mess.
