Page 31 of Shattered

The shift in conversation nearly gave me whiplash.

“I’m not in love with him.”

“Lies.”

“I’m not.”

He pursed his lips. “Whatever you say, Sis. What now?”

“Now you need to be careful. Let me or Koen know if they try to contact you. Other than that, we live our lives.”

“Is your new husband moving in?”

“Don’t call him that.”

“Why? He is.”

“Are you ready to celebrate your birthday, or what?”

“Subtle, Jade. Very subtle.”

I stood carefully on my uninjured foot and wrapped him in a hug.

“Are we good?”

“We were never bad. I know you’ve got me.”

“And I always will.”

After Jett and I had our moment in the kitchen, Koen asked for one of his own. I had no idea what they’d discussed, but when the timer for the air fryer went off seven minutes later, they seemed good. Better than good, if I was being honest. Almost as if this little blip in the radar had brought them closer, which I loved for Jett. There was only so much I could show him about life. He needed—no—he deserved the positive influence of someone like Koen. Someone who would lead by example, showing him what it meant to be a hardworking, honorable man.

With one crisis averted, more drama ensued when Lanie finally arrived, apologizing for her lateness and Noah’s absence. Keaton and Koen offered to kick his ass into gear, but with a somber shake of her head, she told them to leave it be for now. My heart broke for her. Clearly, there was more brewing between them than she was willing to divulge. I just hoped they figured it out soon.

“How the hell did I miss a showdown with the ’rents and a marriage announcement? I was only forty minutes late.”

To say Lanie was ecstatic over the announcement of ourwedding would’ve been an understatement of epic proportions. She was damn-near giddy, even spouting something about Waverly owing her a hundred bucks.

Hugs and congratulations were given all around, then the eight of us devoured three bags of chicken wings and had just about destroyed my version of charcuterie boards, before settling in to watch Jett open the pile of gifts at his feet. My friends had gone completely overboard in their efforts to give him the best sixteenth birthday ever.

He and Phoebe literally bounced in their seats as he opened them one by one. A new silver laptop case and carrying bag from Keaton and Henley. A virtual reality headset courtesy of Duncan and Waverly—who were unable to make the party due to work obligations. Lanie and Noah went in together and bought him a year's subscription to Peacock.

“There’s this show on Friday and Saturday nights calledOn Patrol Live.Best freaking entertainment out there,” she gushed.

Next, he opened a package from Nelson and Sammie, who’d stopped by earlier to drop it off. “Sweet. AirTags.” He held them up like he’d won the lottery.

“What are those?” I asked.

“They’re like little tracking devices. People put them on their luggage, their keys…all sorts of stuff they tend to lose,” he responded.

“Nice. Can I put one on you?”

“Ha. Very funny, Sis.”

A flutter of excitement rolled through my chest as he reached for the final bag. My measly budget had been ceremoniously tossed out the window when Koen accompanied me to the electronics store. He’d insisted on paying for half.

My panties had all but melted off mybody in the middle of the damn store when he said, “He’s my brother now too.”

Blasted hormones.

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