Page 65 of Miss Understood

“Yes,” I say, trying my best to stand taller.

Liam’s dark eyes pin me. There’s a grimace on his face. As the oldest, he’s always been the most protective—even more so than my father. He chased away any boy who showed interest when I was in school, and then moved on to scaring boyfriends as I got older. To him, I’ll never be old enough to date, much less get married.

“All right, then.” Dad looks Jesse up and down, nodding his approval, even if his face still says otherwise.

Liam doesn’t look happy, but he stays quiet.

“Can I get you a drink, sir?” Jesse says, letting go of my hand and waving toward the bar.

Dad finally breaks his Marine Corp posture and lets Jesse lead him across the room. No doubt he’s grilling him with each step. I’m just thankful he didn’t show up to the party with Marvin.

“It’s good to see you, sis.” Miles comes up and rubs the top of my head like I’m still a kid.

“Hey!” I swat at his arm, ducking away and almost tripping over my heels. Luckily, Liam catches me.

“It’s good to see you guys too, I think.” There’s a landmine of uncertainty, and it still feels like one wrong step might blow it up. I nudge Liam on the arm. “Come on, loosen up. He’s a good guy. He treats me right.”

Never in a million years did I think I’d actually be defending my unconventional marriage. But these past five weeks have changed things. They’ve made me believe that maybe not all relationships are soul-sucking. That maybe I can still be myself and have Jesse at the same time.

“You made me lose a bet,” Liam says, scanning the crowd. “I had two hundred bucks saying this dipshit would be the first to bite the bullet.” His thumb sticks out at Miles.

“Can’t say I’m not surprised myself,” I say, elbowing Miles. “How is Beth anyway?”

“We broke up,” Miles says, dipping his chin.

“We’ll see how long that lasts,” Liam snorts, but Miles doesn’t say anything.

I shoot a glare at Liam. “Guessing you’re as single as ever? With that charming personality and all.”

“Like you can talk,” Liam says back, looking me up and down. “Although now you look as sappy as the rest of these sad fucks. Guess I’m the only smart one left.”

Anyone who thinks I’m cold and closed off hasn’t met my brother Liam. He’s a wall of titanium—and that was true before Mom died. After that, he locked himself down entirely. Apart from a couple close friends, he keeps to himself, secluded on his mountainside property, coming to town for beer or groceries but staying hidden otherwise.

Tonight, there’s a thick layer of scruff on his chin, and I wonder if it’s just another way he’s hiding himself.

“What about you, Griff? Still slaying the ladies with the ice-cold silent treatment?”

Griffin glares at me, but he doesn’t say anything.

Sometimes I wonder how I came from this family.

“So, this thing’s for real then, huh?” Miles lays his forearm on my shoulder and leans in, waving an arm up to the Just Married sign hanging in the center of the room.

“I guess so,” I say, and Liam chuckles under his breath. “Okay, yes, it started a little unexpectedly, but…I don’t know. Something changed.”

Miles cuts his eyes over to me. “Is he good to you?”

“Very.” It’s not a lie.

Jesse is not the coldhearted man I once saw him as. He’s thoughtful, kind. He takes care of me in little ways that I didn’t even think were a thing. Like bringing me coffee in bed on the weekends. Or sending my clothes out for dry cleaning before I have the chance to do it myself. And making sure the cabinet is always stocked with my favorite oatmeal.

He always seems to know exactly what I need. And as terrifying as it is that I’m giving him the power to hurt me, part of me is more terrified that he won’t, that I’ll actually have to face the thump against my ribs.

“Well then, you have our blessing,” Miles says with a nod. He’s definitely speaking for himself, given the angry looks on my other two brothers’ faces.

“Not that I asked for it,” I remind him. He waves me off.

“All right, gentlemen.” Kennedy comes over and pulls me from my brother’s grip. “Mind if I steal my friend away to play some embarrassing bridal games?”

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