LUKE
So, my sister is having a baby, and Asher is losing his shit. No, the two things have nothing to do with each other, but there’s a lot going on at this party.
I already knew about Missy being pregnant. She and my sister have been trying for a while, and when they told me it’s happening last week, I couldn’t have been more excited for them.
It was still really cool to hear them say it again—and for all of Oakley’s Crew to hear. I knew Oakley would be thrilled, and I have no doubt that my little niece or nephew will be spoiled as hell.
As for Asher... He’s got it bad. I’m sure everyone already knows that though—well, except maybe Jackson. And Asher too, for that matter...
They both need to pull their heads out of their asses and just be together already. Everything else will work out just fine. God, I wish I’d have taken my own advice, but I didn’t.
And now the love of my life is happily married to someone else and has moved to Chicago to live with his new husband and their two perfect little Yorkies. They even dressed them upin sweaters for the holiday season. Stalking them on Instagram? No. Not me.
My sister sidles up to me and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Hey, little brother. What are you doing over here all alone?”
I chuckle, letting her joy soak into my soul. Sarah’s always been a happy person, she can’t help it. She sees the good in the world—when I tend to fall on the more realistic side. She’d say I’m cynical, but I think I’m right.
“I’m just watching the show,” I say, nodding over to where Gabe is trying to sober up Asher.
My sister’s frown lasts only for a brief moment before she quickly fixes it into a smile. “He’ll be okay.”
“Sure,” I say, taking a sip of my whiskey on the rocks.
“You don’t think they will be?” she asks me, her big blue eyes wide and hopeful like she’s willing me to be a romantic too. Spoiler alert—I’m not. Realistic, remember? And romance is for movies and books, not real life.
“I don’t know, Sarah. I think they need to get out of their own way first, and that doesn’t really happen with Jackson or Asher.”
She frowns again. The frown almost reaches her eyes this time before she forces it back into a smile. “I think they will.” Her eyes flicker with something, and oh no—I know that look. I’m already shaking my head before she starts to talk again. “Speaking of getting out of your own way... I know you’re lonely. Let me set you up.”
And here we go. Sarah is a fixer. She wants to fix this. But I’m not broken. I was in love once, and we couldn’t make it work. And now, I just know I’m better off single. No big deal.
Except she has to make it into a big deal any time we’re around each other. “Sarah?—”
She holds up one of her small hands and gives me the sternest look she can muster. “No. Don’t shut me down so fast. I know you don’t want to be set up?—”
“I don’t,” I quickly interrupt. “I really, really don’t.”
“I know that.” She doesn’t miss a beat. “But I know you better than anyone else in the world knows you, and I know you want a family.”
“I have a family.” I look around at the crowded home and smile. Not only do I have Missy and Sarah and soon a baby to spoil, I also have Oakley’s Crew. They’re always there for me. What else can a guy need?
“You bounce from one meaningless hookup to the next.”
“Judgy?” I ask, quirking my brow.
“No. That’s fine for anyone who wants it.”
“But not your little brother,” I counter.
“If I thought you were happy, I wouldn’t say a word. But I see the way you look at the couples around here. I know you were in love with Cameron.” I flinch at the mention of my ex’s name. “Sorry,” she quietly apologizes, and I hate that she picked up on the pain I still feel.
It’s been two years. Why the hell can’t I just get over him already?
“It’s fine. He’s moved on, and so have I.”
“But have you?”
“I have,” I try to confirm so she’ll leave me alone about it. I know she cares about me, but I can’t keep doing this with her. “I’m fine.”
