Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Truth be told, I’ve never had what I would consider a boyfriend. I’ve dated, and I’ve had hookups, but I’ve never met anyone that I wanted to commit to. Commitment is highly overrated, from what I’ve seen.
“Lunch is ready!” Michelle’s voice comes from nearby, and a moment later she sticks her head in the doorway, somehow finding space among all the Stone brothers. “How’s it going, Caroline?”
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll take this box of artwork, but I don’t need the school stuff.”
“We can get rid of whatever you don’t want, but I know you’ll want to keep the pictures.” She turns to her nephews. “Boys, can you take these three boxes to Caroline’s car?”
I back up to make room for them. Barrett, Bronson, and Lennox are closest, so they each grab a box. Their arms flex, and I can’t help but be distracted by the size and definition of their muscles.
Desire.
I used to notice their bodies a lot when we were younger. All the girls at school were in love with the four of them, and I got to live with them. Now they’re men — so much bigger, stronger, more masculine. Who wouldn’t desire them?
10
Keep the peace
After so many years, it’s strange to be seated around a dinner table with the Stone brothers. Without anyone saying anything, we all take the same seats we used to sit in when we lived here together.
Michelle sits in the extra seat on the other side of the table, and my dad’s usual spot at the head of the table is left open. Despite that stark reminder of his absence, Rachel is in the best spirits I’ve seen her in since my dad’s heart attack two months ago.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have you all here together again,” she says immediately after Michelle says grace. “I wish the circumstances were different, but I’m grateful to have you all here.”
The brothers voice their agreement as Barrett dishes out helpings of lasagna for everyone, since the pan is too hot to pass around the table.
“I hope that we can make this a regular occurrence, actually,” Rachel continues, looking around hopefully at all of us. “Maybe Sunday dinner?”
A small part of me gets a warm feeling at the thought of getting together with all of them, but I quickly pull myself back to reality. Things are nothing like they were when we were kids, and the men feel like strangers in a way.
If — or when — they leave town, I’ll make a point to check in with Rachel, though. I don’t want her to feel alone.
As if reading my thoughts, she says, “Caroline, have you heard that the boys are moving back? They’re going to relocate their business headquarters to Charlotte and buy a house here on the island.”
She’s so excited that I can’t bear to dampen her enthusiasm with any of my doubts or questions. This is surprising news, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
“Will you still have operations in New York, too?” Michelle asks, directing her question toward Barrett and Bronson.
“Yes, and if things go well in Charlotte, we may expand to other cities.”
I take a bite of my lasagna and listen to talk of Stone Security, whose primary function is providing security services to businesses and events. I knew the basics about their company from their website, but as they talk about some of their clients, their employees, and their goals, I realize I had no idea about the actual size and scope of their company. They’re providing their services to some of the biggest companies in the city.
The men have done well for themselves, and I’m glad for them, despite the anger I can’t quite let go of. The anger is split now, with much of it directed at my dad for kicking them out, but that doesn’t change the fact that my stepbrothers never cared to contact me in all these years.
Barrett and Bronson are talking about Rusty’s now, and their plans for the bar. My irritation flares, but I suppress it. With their security business doing so well, there really doesn’t seem to be any other reason for them to “invest” in Rusty’s aside from their misguided intention to take care of me.
Lunch continues and the conversation moves on, mostly staying on light topics. I notice that if something comes up that seems to give Rachel a sad reminder of my father, the brothers do their best to keep her in good spirits.
In addition to getting along well with each other, my stepbrothers were always good to their mom. Their relationship with her was a million times better than my relationship with my dad. It must have been hard for them to be far away from her for so long.
We finish our meal, and after I help clean up, I say goodbye, explaining that I need to get back to work.