Page 57 of Saving Shepperd

“Lead the way,” I said as cheerfully as possible. Honestly, negotiating our way back through the crowd sounded awful, but staying here alone with his sister while he went himself would’ve been worse. I don’t mind chatting with people once I know them, but this whole day was going to be filled with awkward introductions and niceties.

We snaked our way through the throng of kids and parents, pausing occasionally to chat with someone Law knew. His niece skipped by at one point, and he caught her with his long arm around her waist and hoisted her right up off her feet. The squealing laughter bubbling out of the child warmed my heart, and by the time she took off with her friends again, I thought my ovaries were going to explode.

Watching my man with the child was enlightening. He was going to make an amazing father someday. I had to keep my head out of the clouds for the moment, though, or I could get lost in serious daydreams about being the mother in that scenario.

Once inside, it was marginally quieter, but not much. There were people milling around, whether changing into bathing suits or play clothes after already dipping in the pool. We found Law’s brother in the kitchen with his wife, or girlfriend—I wasn’t completely sure what their status was.

“There he is!” Law said and strode excitedly toward the other man. I knew from other conversations we had had that this was the sibling he was closest to. Even if I didn’t have that knowledge, you could feel how close they were just from their joy when seeing each other.

“You guys made it,” Jake said while the brothers embraced. The beautiful brunette smiled at the men’s affection, and Law gave her a big hug too.

“Hey, Pia, how are you? This is one hell of a party you guys put together,” Law said after kissing the woman’s cheek in greeting.

“Hey, Law, thank you. And thank you for coming,” she said while his brother’s gaze was laser focused on me.

“This must be Shepperd,” he said, wrapping me in an unexpected hug. Normally I had real issues with strangers touching me, even in a friendly greeting. But these people were so non-threatening, I didn’t mind. Not one shiver or inkling of panic after his exuberant hello.

Law’s eyes were on me the entire time, watching to make sure I didn’t come unglued. From personal experience, he knew how easily triggered I could be. He intercepted me from his brother’s hug before the woman thought to do the same.

“Yes, this is Shepperd. Babe, this is my brother Jacob and his partner, Pia Shark.”

Oh, we were really rolling with some local celebs at this get together. And these were the people my sister routinely hung out with. It was astonishing, really. She had as many social anxieties as I did, so I wondered how she dealt with this all the time. Unless she had worked through her shit by now. I knew so little about her life anymore.

“Nice to meet you,” Pia said and offered her hand.

“Same.” I smiled. “Thank you for having us. Cecile said you’re out a magician. Any luck finding a replacement?” I asked, hoping we wouldn’t get into the six degrees of separation we all had. The longer I could keep Hannah out of a conversation, the better.

She sagged in defeat. “We’ve called all the people we can think of, trying to cash in any favor owed, but no luck. There are a few calls that haven’t been returned yet, so there’s a sliver of a chance. But what can you do? Everyone seems to be having a good time, so it should be fine.”

But her man seemed to be the most stressed about the missing entertainment. She gave his hand a little pat and smiled up at him. Their height difference was at least a foot, so she had to tilt her head way back to meet his worried gaze.

“Chill, Jake. Seriously, those kids”—Law thumbed over his shoulder toward the backyard—“are having the time of their lives.”

“I know,” Jacob said. “I just wanted everything to be perfect for Vela today. She’s been through so much this year, I just wanted the entire day to go off without a hitch.”

“Well,” Pia replied, “we’ve done all we can do. She’ll have to understand.”

“Have you tried blasting it on social media?” I suggested.

Pia snapped her head my way. “That’s a great idea! Let me get my phone and make a few posts. Then we officially have done all we can, Jacob.”

“All right. And I know you’re right.”

“Ahh, spoken like a kept man,” Law teased his brother.

Jacob pointedly looked at me, then to Law, and raised one eyebrow.

Law shrugged with his arms extended as though he was admitting guilt to the same thing. The whole wordless exchange was so endearing, I found myself grinning along with everyone else.

ChapterSixteen

Law

The day was going great. Kids and parents were having tons of fun, and my brother and his woman were in their element as hosts. Being a father really suited him, and the love he had for those two ladies was evident to everyone there. It was time to sing and blow out the candles, and the crowd was finally subdued while Pia walked across the lawn with a blazing cake the size of a boogie board.

While she covered the distance between the house and the birthday girl, a deafening sound echoed through the party. It sounded eerily like a gunshot, but that was doubtful in the upscale neighborhood. There were a few older boys at the party, and my bet was that one of them pulled a prank. Some sort of harmless firecracker, most likely. But the pandemonium that ensued was catastrophic. Especially for all the attendees suffering from anxiety of one type or another.

A neighbor had brought their dog with them, and up until that gunshot-sounding bang, the animal was having the time of its life playing with all the kids. But when that shot rang through the air, the poor animal went apeshit. It took off running, dragging the leash its owner had dutifully held on to the entire afternoon.

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