Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Are you saying I never looked happy before?”
He shrugged. “Not at all. You just seem different. Then again, it’s been a while and I have no idea what’s going on in your life.”
Opening the fridge, I grabbed a beer and handed it to him. I decided to ignore his last statement. That was his choice, not mine. “So, what did you need to ask me?”
He looked at me and smirked. “I guess you would want to cut to the chase. After all, we’re not that close anymore.”
I raised a brow at the second dig in as many minutes. “Were we ever close?” I leaned against the counter and folded my arms over my chest, waiting for his response.
Holding up his hand, he said, “Fine. I’ll get to the point. You know Krista is pregnant and well, she is insisting I ask you about the names she’s picked out.”
“You didn’t help with the names?”
My brother shrugged. “Truth be told, I didn’t want kids right now, she did. So, here we are. She wants to name the baby, depending on if it’s a boy or a girl, William or Lillie.”
A strange pain hit my chest, and I had to fight the urge to reach for it. “After Mom and Dad?”
“I know. I thought it was a strange request, but that’s what she wants. I didn’t feel right telling her okay until I talked to you about it.”
“Me? Why?”
“You’re the oldest, you were closer to them than I was. What if you get married and have kids someday?” he said as he glanced around the kitchen. “Although, if you keep living all alone and not moving on from Emily, you’ll never meet anyone.”
I pushed aside the rush of anger I felt toward my brother. He didn’t know the first thing about my life. “For your information, I have moved on.”
He studied me, then slowly nodded. “That’s why you look so happy. You must have been out of town with someone.”
“As a matter of fact, I was. I’ve met someone. And I care about her a lot. She’s been through some pretty traumatic things. The trip was to help her with some of that.”
Suddenly, my brother let out a bark of laughter, like I’d said the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “Some things never change, even after all these years you’re still the same, Liam.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Always playing the hero, aren’t you, big brother.” He slapped me on the side of the arm and laughed again.
The sound of something breaking caused us both to look toward the hall that led to my room.
“Is she here? Now?” Chad asked, a wide grin on his face. “I guess I don’t blame you for not wanting me to meet her. Have you even told her you have a brother?”
A sense of panic hit me, and I pointed to my brother. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
He lifted his beer. “Not going anywhere.”
I started down the hallway and noticed my bedroom door was slightly open. Piper rushed in first, and I shut the door quietly behind me. We both saw the broken plate with food on the floor at about the same time, and Piper headed toward it.
“Piper, off!”
Mallory walked out of the bathroom and stopped when she saw me. “I’m so sorry! I knocked the plate off of the bed and it broke. I started to head to the kitchen when I opened the door to see if Chad was here yet. I’m sorry.”
My racing heart slowed a bit as I pulled Mallory into my arms and held her. “You scared me, Mallory.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to.”
Pushing her back to look at her, I let out my breath. “For a crazy moment I thought you heard my brother laugh and…”
Her eyes went wide. “No! Oh my gosh, Liam. I did hear him laugh, that’s how I know he was here, but that isn’t the laugh. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I let out a long breath.
“Do you want to introduce me to him?” Mallory asked.
Something inside of me was saying no. “Not yet. Don’t worry about cleaning this up.”
She waved me off. “I’ve got this, go back out and talk to your brother.”
I took a few steps back and watched as Mallory picked up the glass pieces and put them in the small garbage can in the bathroom.
“Let me at least get something to clean this up with. I’ll be right back.”
Turning to Piper, I said, “Stay with her, girl.”
As I walked back out into the kitchen, Chad was sitting at the island looking at his phone, frowning.
“Everything okay?” he asked when he heard me walk in.
“Yeah, broken plate is all.”
He nodded. “You’re really not going to introduce me to her?”
I glanced back at him. “Like you introduced me to Krista? I had to meet her by getting an invite to your wedding—from her and not you.”