Page 10 of Inked Craving

Me:It’s free food, and it’s the Montgomerys. I’m usually always there. But yes, I’ll be there. If you want.

Paige:I should be able to do this independently, but I want you there. Just so someone else knows, and I don’t chicken out. Thank you, Lee.

Me:Anything, Paige. Promise.

I set down my phone, wondering what the hell I was doing. But then again, Paige was the one dealing with the hard things. I could be her friend. Be there. And then I could go back to my normal life. Of work, eating salads in the kitchen, and pretending that I was fine with being who I was.

ChapterThree

Paige

My family was big, loud, joyous, a little angsty, and full of love and protection.

It didn’t matter what mood I was in. I knew there would be someone in the room ready to listen to me, fight with me, alongside me, or to be there to make me laugh. Like I would be there for them.

And yet, right now, I wasn’t quite sure what I was ready for or what I wanted to have happen once I told them my news. Everything was going to change as soon as I spoke up. Hell, everything had already altered irrevocably, only they didn’t know it yet. My stomach roiled, and I told myself that I was ready for this. That I just needed to rip off the tension like a Band-Aid.

Archer came to my side, a brow raised. “Why are you drinking club soda in the corner, your hand practically shaking? Is something wrong?”

Honestly, while I wasn’t surprised it was Archer who had noticed my mood first, it could have been any of my siblings, their spouses, or my parents. They were all observant and inquisitive about one another. I was probably the worst of the lot when it came to knowing what was wrong with my family and wondering how I could help. Others might call me nosy, and they could be correct, and yet, right then, I cursed my intentions.

“Just enjoying my drink.”

“Really?” he asked dryly, and I shrugged.

“Really. Is that not okay with you?” I singsonged, and Archer rolled his eyes like I wanted him to.

“You are such a dork, but so am I. It’s why we are brother and sister.”

“True. Is Marc on the deck with Dad?” I asked after a moment.

Archer nodded, a small smile playing on his face. “Yes, Dad is operating the grill. Therefore, Marc is patiently listening and learning.”

I held back another smile. “As if Marc doesn’t know how to use a grill.”

“Dad is just teaching him the finer points of the Montgomery secrets when it comes to cooking with fire.” Archer held up his hands in front of his face, fingers pointed upwards as he lifted his strong jaw and grinned. “It’s an art.” His blue eyes twinkled, and his dark brown hair, the same color as mine, fell over his face.

I scowled and moved his bangs away from his eyes. “You need a haircut.”

Archer shrugged and pushed his hair fully back. “Maybe. I’m trying to see if I can let it grow as long as Riggs’. He has a cute ponytail.”

I shook my head, a memory coming to the surface. “You had a ponytail when you were in college, remember? You hated it.”

“Because I looked like Paul Revere ready to warn the town that the British were coming. However, I use better products now. I can make a ponytail work. I can look like a hot cover model from one of your books.”

“First off, they’re your books, too. We read the same romances, brother of mine.”

“Touché.”

“Second, you’d look cute with long hair. You look good with anything, Archer. It’s annoying, actually.”

Archer just rolled his eyes. “Says the woman who gets looks whenever she walks around the town in jean shorts and a shirt with holes in it.”

I shook my head. “Sometimes, I don’t feel like getting adorably cuted-up. It happens.”

“Whatever. It’s still not fair that your skin is so much brighter than mine.”

“It’s my youth.” I winked, though nausea threatened that had nothing to do with this conversation.

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