Page 66 of Wrecked

The room is eerily quiet, so I lean into Luke’s ear and say loudly, “Did I ever tell you about that time Emma and Parker had sex in the kitty city?”

Luke’s hands fly back up to his ears as he marches out of my room and down the hall. “I’m burning my ears in acid!”

Emma stands from the bed, her hands on her hips. “I never had sex in the kitty city.”

With a shrug, I reply, “I know.”

She wipes under her eyes and smiles.

Emma is really spectacular. The reason she never had sex in the kitty city isn’t just because it would be disgusting. It’s also because her boyfriend is the dullest guy on the planet. She confessed once that he only likes to do it missionary and never on the day of a performance. That means, they have sex maybe once a week if their schedules align. It’s really quite pathetic. My beautiful, talented, brilliant sister should be screaming with orgasms every night. Not being boinked on the weekly by the douche with a flute.

Good news is, our shenanigans have deflected from our conversation about Adam. I can’t deal with this seriousness this early in the morning.

Speaking of…

“Why are you up so early?” I ask.

It’s no secret that Emma loves to sleep in.

“Heading back to Pittsburgh. Parker has a thing.”

I roll my eyes.

“Be nice,” she adds. “He’s coming for Labor Day weekend.”

Her mouth widens, and she sways from side to side, like a toddler who stole from the cookie jar.

I nudge my head and raise my brows. “What?”

“Parker is going to propose.”

My insides are rolling over with shock, but I plaster a big, fat smile on my face. “How can you be so sure?”

“It’s just the way he’s been talking about buying a place together and how many bedrooms we’ll need. He even asked if I was allergic to dogs. Those are the kinds of things couples talk about when they’re getting ready to start a life together.” She squeals lightly, “I think he’s the one.”

I grind my teeth as I raise my arms in the air. “That’s so exciting!” My voice is a little higher than usual.

Giving Emma the best hug I’ve got in my body, I show her the love she deserves from her sister. I might despise my soon-to-be brother-in-law, but I love my sister. Her happiness means more to me than anything in the world.

Our embrace is disrupted by my mom’s voice. “Leah, are you coming down, honey? Adam’s here.”

“She and Emma are too busy talking about sex!” Luke shouts from the hallway.

I close my eyes in slight horror.

“Coming,” I call down to my mom.

Luke groans in his room. The sound of his door slamming shut makes me jump.

“I’m gonna go make sure you didn’t scar him for life.” Emma walks to the door. Before she leaves, she turns to look at me over her shoulder. “Sometimes, I feel like my life is too perfect. Great guy, perfect job, amazing family. It’s like I’m waiting for it to implode.”

My gorgeous professional musician sister has shown her first bit of insecurity. It only took twenty-four years.

“No matter what happens, you just have to keep on keepin’ on.”

A beautiful, full smile ignites her face as she says, “You know, you’ve never been one to fade into the background. It’d be a shame if you started now.”

She leaves my room, and before I can process her yogalike words of wisdom, I am being summoned by my mom again.