Page 2 of Aisle Come Back to You

“Oh, touchy subject, huh? What did he do this time?” He bristles, clearly not getting the hint. Then again, I guess this is the downside to having an older brother. Or maybe it’s the downside to having Miles as an older brother, since he’s always been relentless and nosey.

“Who says it was him? Maybe I’m the one in the wrong this time?” I challenge, tilting my head.

“The fact that you even have to say the phrase‘this time’just goes to show how toxic he is. However, if I’m going to play along, I’ll go with the usual: ‘because it’s always him.’ He’s an asshole, Blair. Always has been, always will be. Don’t let him make you question that, because I’m sure as hell not.”

“Alright, alright.” I give up, throwing my hands in the air. “It was him, and I’m done—or at least I want to be, but you know how it is—it’s complicated. We work together. It’s not the band’s fault that me and their drummer can’t seem to get our shit together.”

“It’s not like you aren’t in demand, Blair. Everyone loves your work. You don’t have to work for Heartstrings Riot when one of their members treats you like complete shit. They can find a new photographer, and maybe they deserve to have to work with someone less talented for putting up with one of their members’ bullshit when all he has to do is keep it in his pants.”

“Miles!” I squeal, my eyes going wide as I reach out and smack his arm. “I’ll have you know, he didn’t cheat this time.” I understand it’s a bit pathetic that I have to emphasize he didn’t cheatthis time, but it’s the honest truth.

He holds up his hands in defense. “Oh, okay. My bad. Since he didn’t cheatthis time, then I have to like him and let all the other shit he’s put you through go,” he grumbles, his tone a bit too sarcastic for my liking.

Luckily, I’m given a distraction as my phone pings in my pocket. Even though I’m still irritated, a smile spreads across my face. “It’s Ronnie,” I announce. I’ll always be happy to receive a text from my best friend, but the timing from the bride-to-be is beyond impeccable. “She wants to know if you can drop me off at SalsaLeedo Sal’s for Margarita Monday.”

I don’t even wait for his response as I immediately text her back that it’s a date. Not only will he not say no, he knows he has no choice in the matter.

“So you’re already going to ditch me on your first night back?” he asks. While I do sense a tinge of annoyance and perhaps a hint of jealousy in his voice, I know he understands. Ronnie’s wedding is less than two weeks away, and why I’ve come home in the first place. I may not be thrilled to be back in town, but forRonnie, I’d do just about anything. Hell, if the girl asked me to bury a body, I’d do it in a heartbeat. There’d probably be a lot of questions and judgment, but I’d still do it.

“You can always join us,” I point out, looking up from my phone, even though I already know the answer.

“A night out with Veronica Prescott? No thanks,” he answers, proving my initial instincts right. We may spend the majority of our time countries apart, but I still know my brother. I can still read him like a book, despite the passage of time and distance. “I’d rather follow a scary-ass clown into a storm drain.”

“Oh, come on. She’s not that bad. I don’t get what you have against her.”

“Well, first off…” he starts, but I interrupt.

“Hey now,” I caution, my voice laced with warning as I lift a threatening finger in his direction. “She’s my best friend and I will not accept any best friend slander from you, mister.”

“Well, you see,” he starts up again, his voice competing with the sound of the carousel as it begins to operate and spin, but that doesn’t seem to deter him. “That’s part of the problem. That girl can do no wrong in your eyes, but she’s trouble, and has been since you were kids.”

“She is not,” I scoff, taking my eyes off the carousel as I roll them in his direction.

“You can’t tell me that whenever the three of you got into trouble growing up, she wasn’t the mastermind behind each and every dumb and dumber idea the three of you took part in.”

“You’re exaggerating,” I say, attempting to downplay our juvenile antics, but deep down, even I can’t deny he’s right. Whenever the three of us got caught doing something dumb or ridiculous, it was always Ronnie’s idea. Sure, I was right there to egg it all on, but she was most certainly the mastermind working behind the scenes.

“Am I exaggerating about the time you guys broke onto Mr. Holstead’s property, stole his tractor, and rode it down the middle of Main Street? Or how about the time you thought it would be a smart idea to…” he continues, but I lift a hand to interrupt.

I don’t need any reminders. Every one of those memories is etched vividly in my mind, and I have to say, the majority of them hold a fond place in my heart. While much of my childhood was marred by negative memories, the ones I created alongside Ronnie and Ford will forever be my favorites.

“Okay, fine. We did some stupid stuff, but it’s not like we ever went to jail or did anything too crazy. They were all silly and harmless pranks.”

“You do realize that the only reason nobody ever pressed charges or why the three of you got out of trouble each and every time was because Veronica’s dad was the mayor and Ford’s dad was the sheriff? If anything, it always made the two of us look worse, since most people assumedyouwere the bad influence.”

I hate that he’s right, when your dad is the town drunk and you do something stupid, you’re only playing right into their built-in negative stereotypes.

“Miles,” I say, placing my hand on his arm. I know he’s sensitive about this stuff, and it’s probably been a lot harder for him since, unlike me, he’s never had the luxury of escaping the relentless gossip of Evergreen Grove. “I’m sorry if I made it harder for you growing up, but that was a long time ago. We’ve all matured since then. We aren’t the reckless kids we used to be. Hell, Ronnie is a high school teacher, for goodness’ sake, and is marrying the town councilman. If that doesn’t scream grown-up, then I don’t know what does.”

“Maybe she’s older and has somehow managed to get a big-girl job, but considering her first order of business when you comeback into town is to get you drunk on margaritas, I’m not exactly inspired to see her in a new light.”

I understand that he’s only saying this out of protectiveness, as our father’s history with alcohol has always made him extra cautious. However, this isn’t something I want or need him to worry about. He’s already spent way too many years playing the responsible adult in our lives. Now that I’m a grown woman, it’s no longer required, nor is it wanted.

“I travel with some of the biggest rock bands in the world. Believe me, I’ve been around much crazier drinkers than Ronnie. If anything, we’ll only have a drink or two. Don’t worry, we have no intention of losing control or causing any trouble tonight. We just want to hang out and catch up. That’s it.”

He doesn’t look all that convinced, but luckily, he also doesn’t look like he’s going to fight me on the matter. “Just be smart, Blair. If you need me to pick you up afterward, you know I’m always just a quick phone call away.”

“Believe me,” I assure him, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze, “I know I can always count on you.” Yes, he can be a protective pain in the ass‌, but he’s my pain in the ass and I can’t imagine life without him, nor would I want to. “Oh, look,” I continue as I tug on his arm and do my best to steer his gaze in the right direction. “There’s my bag.” I point out with my other hand, thankful for the distraction as he moves to grab it, effortlessly pulling it off the belt.

---