Page 68 of Love Finds Home

“Someone better be dying,” I growl.

“Yeah, actually, someone is. Our mom.”

It takes a minute for my brain to catch up with the voice and the words.

“Jeremy?” I say out loud, more to myself than to the voice on the phone, but he answers anyway.

“Do you have another brother?” Smartass.

“I wouldn’t know since everyone cut me off and left me alone to die, now would I?”

“Fuck you. You did that to yourself.”

“No, you did that. You and Vanessa. And you fucked with Mom and Dad’s minds until they left me, too. So fuck you for calling. Fuck you for still being alive. Fuck you for being the spoiled little brother whose only claim is my fucking leftovers.”

He’s talking, but I’m done listening. I end the call, missing the days I could slam down a receiver, and turn the phone all the way off. No way in the fucking universe will I be looking at that again. For good measure, I toss it through the open door, hoping it hits a wall and cracks, only a little disappointed when it lands on the bed, then crawl into Elle’s bed, pulling her close to me.

I’d love to say sleep comes easily, but it doesn’t. My conversation with Joker and the words my brother initially said about my mom loop in my head. I know I’m not good enough for the Goddess sleeping in my arms, but I want to be. And maybe if I can save her, I can prove myself worthy.

Chapter 24

Ginny

The weddings are here!Today is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see my brother pledge his love to my sister in all but name. And after they say ‘I do’, she really will be my sister. I’ve been dreaming about this day for decades! I knew when we were six that my hero, my big brother, would marry my best friend. It didn’t matter that he called us names and teased us. I knew he loved her even then. And it turns out I was right. Ha!

And my other best friend is marrying the man who finally made her believe in love. The everlasting kind. Not the quid pro quo kind. Tiny is so great with Nat, and my unofficial niece is over the moon happy. Of course, she’s already demanding that they keep kissing so she can have a baby brother or sister. I’m not going to tell her. Would you?

“You about done? We should have left ten minutes ago, but of course, we have to wait on your ass to get ready.”

I close my eyes and take in a breath. I know the time, and I also know we don’t have to leave for another twenty minutes. But that’s Keith, isn’t it? Always demanding we get places early so he can scope out the best position to be in to make himself look like a god.

“I’m coming!” I finally call back, checking my face in the mirror one more time. I’m not a big makeup girl. Come to think of it, I’m not really big on dressing up and being in large crowds of people over the average age of fourteen either, but for my best friends? I’ll do anything they request.

I walk into the sitting area of the suite we’re in and look at Keith. He’s a good-looking man with a tall swimmer’s build. Brown hair and eyes with a mustache. I could live without the mustache—either shave it all or grow it all, but he likes it, so who am I to rain on his parade?

“It’s about fucking time. What did you do in there, trowel your face? You look like a goddamn hooker, Virgina!”

I don’t respond. There’s no use. Besides, I’d rather not show up to my best friend’s wedding with a swollen cheek.

“Well, I was going to make a proposal, but it’ll never work with your face covered in all that shit.”

Ignoring the insult, I focus on the first part of his comment. “What proposal?”

“Well, your‘soul-sisters’are both getting married today. I thought we should just go ahead and make it a triple wedding.”

I stare at him in horror. “What?”

“You going deaf now, too? I said that we should just go ahead and get our nuptials over with. I mean, the preacher is already paid.”

“Are you nuts?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

“What did you say?” he very quietly asks me.

“Nothing!” I’m quick to correct myself. “Just why would you want to do that? Have to share your big day with two other men?We all know you would hate that. Could you even imagine the pictures?” I laugh, covering up my urge to cry. “You, Tiny, and Davis? Together? You don’t even like them, and you want to get married with them? Share the spotlight? I’m only thinking about you, honey, and gosh, you’d hate that.”

“Hmm,” he grunts, thinking it over. “Yeah,” he chuckles, “you’re right, of course. I do hate them. When we’re married, you know that’s going to stop, right? You going over to visit those people whenever you want? And if we aren’t going to do it today, you need to set a date. Soon. I’m tired of waiting.”

“Of course.” Crisis averted. But, of course, then I have to open my mouth again. “Can I ask you a question? A serious one?”

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