Page 22 of Forgive Me Father: For I Have Sinned

She sniffled and grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table to wipe her face with. “I hate them J, I really do. There was nothing wrong with you, you didn’t deserve any of that.”

“Where are you staying? Can you stay for a while, maybe dance with me?”

“I got a full ride that included a dorm room, so I’m living in campus housing. I’d love to stay. I’m not a very good dancer, but I’m not gonna miss cutting a rug with my big brother for anything. Not now that I’ve finally got him back.”

My heart was so full it was overflowing. “Come meet my bosses.” I grabbed her hand and took her over to the bar, introducing her to everyone. I was ecstatic, having Liv back in my life was beyond words. Daniel and Marcus insisted on feeding her and told her she was welcome here and at our place upstairs anytime. We exchanged cell phone numbers, and I left her to eat while I got to work. After the first two songs, I jumped down to dance with the crowd and waved her over. Reluctantly she joined me, but within moments she was swinging her hips to the beat like a natural.

“God Jamie, you’re magnificent. Your ability to just let go, I could literally watch you dance for hours. It’s like you're finally free,” she happily cooed.

“That I am, freed from the shackles that bound me for far too long.” I leaned over, kissing her forehead.

“Don’t look now, big brother but I think you have an admirer.” I followed her line of sight, surprised to see what was at the end of it. There sat Mr. Marine, only this time he was staring back at me. “Seems the admiration is mutual,” she teased, and I blushed.

“This is the second time I’ve seen him in here.” I glanced over at the bar, and of course, Daniel was staring right back at me with a big shit eating grin plastered on his face.

“And on that note, I’m out of here. Walk me to my car J.”

I trailed behind her, but as we walked past his table, she stopped. “Don’t hurt my brother. He’s not a toy to be played with,” before continuing on to her booth.

My mouth fell open, and I stood there silently, firmly glued in place. Seems little Liv was now Lady Olivia and had become quite empowered in her coming of age. When I finally found the words I managed to apologize. “I’m so sorry.” I glanced up into the most mesmerizing hazel eyes I’d ever encountered and again found myself rendered speechless.

“Family can be funny that way.” His deep voice rippled through me like a hurricane, and I shivered. “Butch,” he said, holding his hand out to me.

“Jamie,” I said, gripping his hand but not releasing it. And when he smiled, holy shit, my knees damn near buckled.

“Um, J.” My sister said from beside me.When did she reappear?“Can you walk me to my car real quick? Then you can come back and flirt all you want.” I heard her snicker and I never wanted to put her in a headlock more than I did right then.

“Ugh, be right back,” I told him, taking her by the elbow and guiding her outside. Holy hell, I wanted to throttle her and hug her at the same time. “Oh, dear sister, paybacks a bitch.” However, my warning held no heat behind it.

“Good, that means I get to see you again.” She dove into my arms. “Never leave me again, James Allen Keller.”

“I won’t, Olivia Marie Keller. I love you to the moon and back,” I told her, choosing one of the lines we used to say to one another when we were kids.

“You remembered,” she said, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.

“I never forgot.” I kissed the top of her head and hugged her tightly. “Text me when you get inside your dorm. Promise?”

“I promise, big brother. I’ll see you soon.”

I watched as she got into her car, waving as she drove off and feeling like I’d just won the lottery. Then it was time to head back inside to face the man I’d just made a complete ass of myself in front of, and I knew damn well Daniel saw the whole thing go down. Ugh… and sure enough when I walked in the entire place was staring at me, but Mr. Macho came to the rescue.

“Jamie, would you dance with me?” he asked, meeting me just inside the door.

Now that I knew how to do. “Yes, please,” I replied, thankful for the invite. It seemed Jazz, the DJ was enjoying the show just as much as the rest of the crew as he chose to playUB40’sversion ofCan’t Help Falling In Lovenext.I raised my hands over my head as I danced, throwing a finger his way as well as one over to the men behind the bar currently doubled over in laughter.

“So,” he said, “should I expect the same warning from your friends behind the bar that are staring at us right now?”

“Yeah, probably. Seems they’ve all become a bit protective of me,” I whined.

“Should I be concerned?”

I blew out a breath before answering. “I’ll tell you about it someday.”

“Maybe sometime over dinner, say Tuesday night?”

I laid my head on his chest and mumbled. “There goes my dressing room.”

“Was that a yes or do I need to build you a dressing room first?”

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