“That’s the thing about family.”Jagger bumps his shoulder with hers on the couch.“You don’t need to.”
Grabbing Hawke’s and Jagger’s hands with hers, she gives them each a squeeze with a teary smile, then peers up at me.“Thank you.”
“Anytime, Cobes,” I tell her.“Now, get in here.”I open my arms, and she jumps to her feet, hugging the hell out of me.“You too, brothers,” I order.We’re not exactly a hugging family, but after hearing Cobie’s perspective, it’s clear we should make an exception.Standing, Hawke and Jagger help me create a Cobie sandwich in the middle of the family room, each of us placing kisses on the top of Cobie’s head as if they wield the power to create a princess crown.When a door closes upstairs, I glance toward the second floor, curious, before connecting Roman’s absence to the sound.
“He’s mad at me,” Cobie whispers.
“Nah, he’s just had a long day,” I tell her.It’s probably half-true.Today’s been long for all of us.I’m sure by tomorrow, his pissy behavior will subside, and it’ll be like this never happened.Maybe.Hopefully.All right, who am I kidding?The man’s as stubborn as an ox.I know it.Jagger and Hawke know it.And I have a feeling Cobie knows it, too.
My baby sister shakes her head.“I’ve always, uh, I’ve always told him everything.And even though keeping this from him about killed me, he doesn’t understand.I’m not sure he’ll ever understand, let alone forgive me.”
“You’re like a little sister to him,” I remind her.“And if your real brothers can forgive you, Roman can, too.”
Her mouth bunches on one side as she peers up at the top of the stairs.It’s like she’s silently willing him to reappear so she can make things right.So she can make him understand.He won’t, though.Not willingly.
Stubborn ass.
“Go up there,” I suggest.“Talk to him.”
“He’s your family, too,” Hawke encourages.
She licks her lips, then nods, and makes her way upstairs, only to disappear seconds later.
When we’re alone, Hawke and I exchange a worried glance.
“You think he’ll let it go?”Hawke asks, keeping his voice low, so it doesn’t travel.
Jagger squeezes the back of his neck, watching where our baby sister disappeared.“He doesn’t take betrayals well.”
“I mean, who would?”I volley.
Jagger’s gaze cuts to me.“You know what I’m saying.”
He’s right.I do.But that’s a story for a different day, and right now?Right now, all I want is to track down my girl and bury myself inside of her for the next week.Is that too much to ask?
I slap my hand on each of my brothers’ shoulders.“If they kill each other, give me a call.I’m gonna track down June.”
“Tell her thanks for us,” Hawke says.“I mean it.”
I nod.“Will do.”
“Wait!”Violet calls.She jogs down the stairs.“Mind if you give me a ride?”
“You think I’m letting you out of my sight?”Jagger demands.
As she reaches Jagger in the center of the family room, Violet pats his chest.“Calm down, big boy.I need to grab a few things from my apartment, along with my car, but I’ll be back.”
“I can take you,” he starts.
“You should be here for Cobie, just in case.”She kisses his cheek.“But I’ll be as fast as I can.Promise.”Turning to me, she wipes her palms on her jeans.“You ready?”
I motion for the front door.“Lead the way.”
Most of thedrive is quiet as we take the winding road to Violet’s apartment.It’s comfortable.The silence.Like the road trips you spend with your siblings growing up.Sure, there’s a little joking here and there, maybe a couple of sarcastic remarks, but overall, it’s pain-free.No awkwardness.No forced conversations.I glance at Violet in the passenger seat.
If only I could keep it that way.
I reach forward and turn down the volume on the dashboard.“You know, I never apologized.”
