Page 66 of Forbidden Hearts
We’ve all met him, but we haven’t seen him much since he lives so far away. Even when Grady is not deployed or flying, he hasn’t been back to Sugarloaf since Jett was born.
“We’re all happy about it, don’t get me wrong, what are your plans for work?”
“I’m finishing up my pilot instructor class here, so I figure I’ll do that.”
“Solid plan.”
He laughs once. “It’s something.”
“Well, it’ll be nice having the band back together. I know Brynn gets all sentimental about us all being on the same land again.” Little does he know that most of Brynlee’s land is the land for misfit animals.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to handle staying with Brynn for long. Hopefully the builder moves fast.”
I offered up my place, but he thought it was better if he stayed with Brynlee. They have always been close, and she’ll help with Jett where . . . that ain’t happening here. I work too much, and according to him, I am not as happy as she is.
“You had options.”
“The frat house with Rowan or prison with you? No thanks, I have lived with drill sergeants before, and I’d rather not do that again. Brynn will dote on Jett and doesn’t come with contingencies.”
“You could have lied and said Brynn needed it since she collects broken things, but hey, you always were a jackass.”
He chuckles. “She’s like a bad version of Snow White.”
She really is. “Instead of just singing to the animals, she keeps them all.”
It’s like a fucking menagerie over there. “Well, Jett will love it.”
“Probably.” Brynn screeches my name, and I glance outside to see her waving for me to hurry up. “Hey, as much as I’d love to continue this convo, I have to go peg Rowan in the head with a ball.”
Grady goes silent for a second. “I’m not sure where to go with that one.”
“When you get home, we’ll play this new game. See you in a few months.”
“Can’t wait.”
We hang up, and I head out back where Brynn is carrying Olivia on her back and trying to keep away from Rowan, who has possession of the ball.
“What are the rules?”I ask and sign at the same time.
“Hit Rowan!” Brynn yells as she ducks.
Sounds easy enough.
Rowan, Brynn, and I take off after the ball. Brynn has no shot since she’s carrying Liv on her back, and Rowan is a good five feet behind me. I move quick, but he leaps on my back, reaching for the ball over my head.
I toss him off, grab the ball, and grin. “Now what?”
He looks over to the door. “Hey, Phoebe!” I turn, and he swipes the ball from my hand, laughing as he tucks it under his shirt. “Made you look.”
I’m going to kill him. Rowan is running across the lawn and I am standing here, wondering if fratricide carries the death penalty or if a jury would think this was justified.
“Asher!” Brynn scolds, snapping me out of it.
Liv is no longer on her back and is signing at me.“Now he is going to win!”
The hell he is.
I move toward him, he dodges to the left, but I anticipate his move. “Nice try with the Phoebe thing,” I taunt as I step to the right when he does.
